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Pacific Northwest College of Art

The Arts on Campus

At Willamette we nurture the many talented performers, musicians, orators, and artists among our student body — as well as bringing artists from around the world to campus to share their craft.

Express Yourself

As a student you will find yourself among likeminded artists, have opportunities to share your creative expression, and find inspiration in visiting artists. We offer multiple options for undergraduate and graduate art degrees and as a student you choose to minor in any of our arts disciplines.

Explore Our Programs PNCA - Our Dedicated Art School in Portland

student in the museum

Discover endless opportunities in the arts at Willamette—from museums and galleries to stages, theater productions, cultural events, and more.

Hallie Ford Museum of Art
The only liberal arts college art museum in the Northwest, the Hallie Ford Museum of Art features works by Pacific Northwest and Native American artists as well as a diverse collection of Ancient, European, American, and Asian art.
Student in the museum archives
Student Exhibitions

Each spring, Willamette’s senior art majors showcase their painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and mixed media at a special exhibition at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, as well as discuss their work as part of free Tuesday Gallery Talks.

PNCA also runs a number of galleries and project spaces for student exhibitions throughout the main campus building and beyond.

student gallery
Arts Clubs and Organizations
From a capella singing groups to improv comedy to dance, Willamette has a number of performing arts clubs and organizations.
Student in a theatre workshop
Theatre Productions
Willamette University Theatre produces three or four main stage plays, one musical, and various student projects each season. Our Department of Theatre has consistently received recognition as one of the nation’s top college theater programs.

In residence at Willamette University, Theatre 33 is a new play development company that helps Oregon/NW playwrights develop their new scripts from an initial workshop performance to a world premiere full production.
Student workin on the tech of a theatre production.
Music at Willamette

Join us for music concerts performed by Willamette's ensembles, students and faculty both on and off campus. Our major performing ensembles tour regularly throughout the Northwest, California and Canada.

Student playing an oboe.
Distinguished Artist Series
Willamette’s Grace Goudy Distinguished Artists Series brings world-renowned musicians to Salem every year for performances and residency activities. is a new play development company that helps Oregon/NW playwrights develop their new scripts from an initial workshop performance to a world premiere full production.
Image of performer Caroline Shaw for the Grace Goudy Distinguished Artist Series

Willamette University

Willamette University