Magic happens when artists meet in an environment where all the tools are made available to help bring their imagination to life.  It happens every day at Oregon College of Art & Craft, where studios filled with easels, printing presses, photo enlargers, potter’s wheels, welding torches, lathes and humming computers turn raw materials into objects of art.

Oregon College of Art & Craft is one of the smallest accredited colleges of art in the United States, with nearly 150 students and a 9-to-1 student faculty ratio.  Students receive a great deal of individual instruction, and friendships are formed with other students and faculty that often last a lifetime.  Faculty spend hours working closely with students in the classroom sharing their knowledge, demonstrating techniques, and inspiring and challenging students to do their best work.  It is a caring environment, with great respect paid to hard work and openness to new ideas.

CAMPUS AND LOCATION

The College’s location has the best of both worlds: a beautiful 11-acre campus overlooking Oregon’s coastal mountains only four miles from downtown Portland.  Portland is a dynamic city of nearly 700,000 people with a lively arts community.  It was ranked as America’s best big city by Money magazine in 2000.  Cultural offerings include the Portland Art Museum, Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, gallery districts, performing arts and musical performances.  Students can surf, snow ski, windsurf, rock climb and hike all within a short distance of campus. 

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

The College offers five studio art programs: a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts in Crafts (BFA); a three-year Certificate in Crafts; a two-year Artisanry Certificate in Crafts; a one-year Post-baccalaureate Certificate; and the Studio School, a continuing education program of classes and workshops. 

Admission to the BFA, Certificate, Artisanry and Post-baccalaureate programs is by application and includes a portfolio review.  Federal, state and institutional financial aid is available based on need.  Admission to the Studio School is by open registration.  All academic programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the State of Oregon Office of Education Policy.

MISSION

Linking technical skill development to conceptual training is the College’s core educational mission.  Once techniques are learned, students are encouraged to push their artistic limits and ideas.  The multi-disciplinary curriculum provides study in several concentrations, culminating with a year-long thesis project and exhibition at the College’s Hoffman Gallery.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

The College offers seven areas of concentration.  Students concentrate in one area and take elective courses in at least one another area.  Book Arts explores the full scope of the book, including conceptual development, design, reproduction techniques and binding.  Students work in two-and-three-dimensions to produce limited edition and one-of-a-kind books using traditional and alternative printmaking and reproduction techniques. 

Ceramics students work with clay as a sculptural and functional medium, using both hand-building and wheel throwing processes.  The department encourages work with experimental materials and firings through courses in glaze calculation, surface treatments, fabrication, use of molds and firing techniques. 

Drawing and Painting classes are organized around teaching ideas and thinking processes.  The department is pluralistic in its approach to style and content.  Faculty encourage students to be versed in a wide range of approaches, stressing the importance of media and material choices in developing work. 

Fibers studies include instruction in woven, printed and off-loom/mixed-media work.  The range of technical processes available encourages students to push the boundaries of their work and to experiment with materials and processes.  Students are exposed to the pluralism within contemporary fiber arts today. 

The Metals department teaches complex techniques in an atmosphere that encourages innovation and experimentation.  Students learn to carefully handcraft fine-art jewelry, small-scale sculpture and hollowware and are encouraged to work in a variety of materials and processes to fit the needs of their work and to explore nontraditional techniques. 

The Photography curriculum trains students in multiple areas: manually controlled cameras, traditional and alternative darkroom processes, conventional color photography, photographic history, contemporary practice, digital imaging and photographic mixed media.  An emphasis on alternative processes and new technologies provides the visual vocabulary needed to break boundaries and to make multi-disciplinary work.

The Wood department offers a furniture-based program of fine, hand-built pieces with an emphasis on design and solid wood construction.  Students are encouraged to produce unique studio or art furniture pieces and convey ideas through their work, including building work with strong sculptural elements.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

The College’s goal is to provide students the best art and craft education possible.  An internship program provides students the opportunity to receive credit for working with local artists or arts organizations.  Through the mobility program, students can spend a semester at several art schools around the U.S. or Canada.  The student services office provides a network of local arts employers, job postings in the Portland area, and listings of regional exhibition opportunities. 

FACULTY AND RESIDENT ARTISTS

Oregon College of Art & Craft faculty is comprised of practicing professional artists dedicated to teaching.  Two artist-in-residence programs bring emerging and mid-career artists to the College throughout the year to teach and interact with students.

VISITING CAMPUS