Reviews

It's a pretty great school. There aren't many students so the community is pretty close. The teachers are always willing to help and give great advice.

There are probably better schools for photography but everything else is very helpful. Come here expecting to have to manage your time wisely. We always have new projects to work on and they can pile up pretty quickly if you don't get them done in a timely manner.

This school isn't too hard and if you find the curriculum difficult, there are always teachers willing to help and there's a program that will help you with your papers.

It's pretty quiet in our apartments. You don't have to worry too much about crazy people keeping you up at night unless it's the weekend (and the crazies aren't even from PNCA.) The apartments are pretty big and you get to choose your own roommates.

There isn't a food program, but there are cheap places within walking distance from PNCA. Sometimes the school offers free lunch, but that doesn't happen too often.

If you have a car, the options are a lot more vast. If you don't, the train is pretty convenient. There aren't a lot of things to do here in Portland, so be prepared for a lot of quiet days where there's not much to do.

We can use as much of the art supplies, within reason, that the school has as long as we're students here.

Our school does not have a single staight wall...it's a pain when you're doing your perspective drawings.

Mellow, strange, smart, hardworking, creative, and even people who don't think they're very good at much. The teachers and students will encourage you and guide you so don't be afraid!

Plenty of clubs!

Portland is pretty safe in general. The school has shuttle buses that take you from campus to college housing throughout the day.

PNCA has a rigorous environment with dedicated students and faculty who are genuinely interested in their fields of study. Courses are challenging and rewarding. Being part of this community means thinking critically and working creatively.

If you can figure out how to be a full time student without a part time job, you will be much more focused on your coursework. Being a student here is a lifestyle that takes a lot of commitment physically, financially, intellectually, and emotionally. This place is amazing, but if you have too much going on in your life outside of class, things will be difficult for you. Do what you can to save money before enrolling. If you find yourself starving while you're here, there are resources to help you, but sometimes the best thing you can do is to step back for a moment and take a semester off to work.

You will never be finished with your work. I took a semester off this spring, partly for financial reasons, and partly to read all the stuff I skimmed over last fall. Everything you make, write, and say is open for critique. This art school isn't for finger painters, unless they are critically engaged, well-researched finger painters.

You basically share a two bedroom apartment with up to four people, but the hallway smells really weird and the dorms are miles from campus.

Portland has lots of things to do on the cheap. Free art and music, inexpensive yet delicious food carts, lush parks, block parties, second run movie theaters, etc. Our culture is youthful, progressive, and out to have a good time.

For a private school with highly qualified faculty, this is a pretty inexpensive institution.

Our mascot is a sloth. Our only sport is kickball. Our only opponents go to OCAC, the craft school in portland.

Critical, creative thinkers and makers

I am so excited to attend PNCA. Every dollar is worth it! I visited campus and the school is amazing. I felt like I was walking into a massive studio completed with creative thinkers and dreamers, just like myself. Anyone with a real dream and goal in art needs to look into PNCA. The meaning behind the artwork is the heart of the piece. PNCA teaches you the vital pieces of art, not just how to paint a pretty picture.

Keep your mind open to everything. You never know who, or what might inspire you somewhere along the road.

Anyone with inspiration, imagination, and art sensation!

I have learned so much on comteporary art. Subjects that I have never heard of in high school have been brought up in the classroom. I have also learned alot about different mediums to work in from very traditional techniques to newer mediums.

I haven't met a teacher yet that hasn't been kind to their students. Teachers are willing to help you as much as they can. Classes are small and you can get individual attention if you are struggling. students are friendly and are ready to take critique when given.