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A person walks through gallery displays at PNCA's First Thursday event.

The Arts

Willamette University offers a place to explore your creativity, whether you’re a visual artist, writer, or performer. Innovate in Portland’s thriving arts scene or study contemporary art in Salem.

At Willamette University, students create art rooted in collaboration, social impact, and innovation. 

The Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) is located in the heart of Portland’s arts scene. PNCA’s campus serves as a gathering place for artists, designers, and members of the community to come together and share in the city’s creative culture. Students focus on studio practice over traditional classes, developing their craft and engaging with professional and fellow aspiring artists. 

At our Salem campus, students can pursue the visual and performing arts, enriching their creative practice by connecting their work to other disciplines. At the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, students can study historic and contemporary works and gain experience cataloging, preserving, and curating artifacts. Academic majors and student-led clubs provide opportunities for students to cultivate their creativity. 

Innovation and Creativity
Shaping the World Through Art
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    From Student to Portland-Based Artist

    Thanks to opportunities such as residencies and exhibitions, Claire Frances Spaulding MA/MFA ’25 transitioned from student to working artist with the confidence to join Portland arts scene as a peer.

    Crimson Ravarra BFA’24
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    Stepping Into the Spotlight

    As part of the Musical Theatre major’s first class, Zelda Stein BA ’27 is becoming a well-rounded performer and helping shape the future of the major.

    Zelda Stein
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    Finding the Connection Between Sandwiches and Heartbreak

    For her thesis project, Laney Punarate BFA ’24 decided to explore an unexpected pairing: the correlation between sandwiches and healing from heartbreak. Her innovative project caught the attention of industry-leading brands such as A24, Lululemon, and Formula 1, launching a successful freelance career.

    A poster created by Laney Punarate BFA ’24
    4 /
    From Portfolio Review to Publication Deal

    A portfolio review with a London-based publisher took Rowan Kingsbury’s BFA ’22 work from thesis project to published book. The review, which was set up by Rowan’s illustration professor, resulted in a two-book deal. 

    Rowan Kingsbury's work
“PNCA makes sure you’re multidisciplinary, both during and after school. That’s important because you’ll need so many branches in your tree to be fruitful for your career and portfolio.”
Student Opportunities
Cultivate Your Creativity
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    Build Your Portfolio Through Professional Experiences

    Through Center for Design, PNCA’s campus-based, student-run design studio, Graphic Design students gain experience collaborating with real clients on design projects and build a portfolio of professional work.

    A professor and two students discussing graphic design work
    2 /
    Experience Live Theatre at Willamette

    From classic and contemporary plays to musicals and operas, every year, Willamette Theatre puts on a wide selection of productions. Save the date and grab your tickets.

    Students performing a musical at Willamette University.
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    Connect Creative Work to the World Around You

    Symposium is a yearly, public event that connects PNCA students and the Portland community. Keynotes, panels, and workshops are all centered around a unifying theme such as environmental justice, technology, and social impact in relation to art.

    A group gathers at PNCA campus for a presentation.
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    Create Beyond the Classroom With a Campus Club

    Enrich your Willamette experience by exploring your creativity and connecting with your peers through our arts-related student-run clubs and organizations, from a capella groups to literary societies.

    Two students sitting in a moving van while smiling
The Hallie Ford Museum of Art

Art That Reflects Our Individuality

  • The Body Collective

    The emerging student artist group brings public art to the downtown Salem community through pop-up galleries.

    The Body Collective in Salem
  • PNCA students at Argyle Winery

    The Art of Sparkling

    The partnership between PNCA and Argyle Winery celebrates 10 years of collaboration and student-designed wine labels.

Inspiring Spaces for Creativity
Explore Willamette’s Art and Design Facilities
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    PNCA’s Labs and Facilities

    PNCA’s state-of-the-art labs and studios provide students with the tools they need to create cutting-edge work.

    A PNCA student work on an animated arts project in a lab.
    2 /
    Student Gallery Spaces

    PNCA students showcase their work in galleries across campus, providing opportunities to exhibit and sell their art.

    PNCA students hang an art project in a gallery space
    3 /
    Glass Building

    Summary: MFA students receive individual studios inside the Glass Building, a 25,000 sq ft former glass factory, for the entire duration of the 2-year program including summer. Students have access to all the incredible facilities PNCA has to offer which include tools, equipment, workstations, and production areas for painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and furniture design, photography, animation, video and sound production, AR + VR, digital fabrication, game design, physical computing and interaction, illustration, textiles and fashion.

    A PNCA student works on a project in the Glass Building

Upcoming Performances

Study

Diverse Academic Programs in the Arts

Willamette University offers a wide array of arts programs, from the professional and experimental at PNCA in Portland to the dynamic performing arts in Salem.