If you’re planning on attending an art school in Oregon, and you want to make sure that it’s the best fit possible, you have quite a few schools to choose from – and only so much time in which to choose!
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the 20 best art schools in Oregon.
With this list, you can be sure that you’re choosing an art school that will give you the education, experience, and tools you need to reach your goals.
Below is the list of the best art high schools in Oregon, and you also click here to see other art schools across the globe. Best of luck!
List of the Best Art Schools in Oregon
- Pacific Northwest College of Art
- Academy of Arts and Academics
- Art World School After School Program
- One River School Oswego
- Reed College
- Milwaukie Academy of the Arts
- Lewis & Clark College
- Portland State University
- University of Oregon
- Masters School of Art
- Arts & Technology High School
- Woodburn Academy of Art, Science, and Technology
- Arts & Communication Magnet Academy
- Northwest Academy
- Da Vinci Arts Middle School
- Wilmette University
- Central Oregon Community College
- Oregon State University-Cascades
- Prism Arts LLC
Pacific Northwest College of Art
Pacific Northwest College of Art is one of the recognized art trade schools in Oregon.
This academic institution offers a Master of Fine Arts degree that focuses on studio practice and creative research.
PNCA is committed to experiential learning and collaboration; its students engage in project-based work and internships alongside faculty mentors to create art that reflects their unique perspectives.
Students can choose from an array of majors including:
- Illustration
- Interior design
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- New media arts and
- Graphic design
Academy of Arts and Academics
Academy of Arts and Academics is one of the best art schools in bend Oregon that offers a wide variety of arts education programs, including:
- Bachelor’s degrees and
- Master’s degrees
These programs are perfect for students who want to pursue a career in fields like art education, commercial design, or digital design.
The school has three major campuses:
- Downtown Bend Campus
- Central Lane Campus and
- Redmond Campus.
Art World School After School Program
As the name implies; Art World School is one of the best art high schools in Oregon with an after-school program that offers classes for children of all ages and abilities.
This school offers summer camps, as well as classes and workshops throughout the year.
As one of the best art schools in Oregon, our curriculum provides children with a thorough introduction to a variety of art media while focusing on individual expression and creativity.
Our approach inspires;
- Imagination,
- Building self-confidence
- Talent exploration, and fosters awareness of oneself within a community.
One River School Oswego
The first school of its kind, One River is an independent, non-profit organization offering students access to top art and environmental educators from around the country.
We pride ourselves as one of the best art schools in Oregon and also one of the few schools to offer classes on authentic reservations throughout North America.
To learn more about One River School Oswego, check out the website here.
Top rankings:
Reed College
Reed College has been consistently ranked as one of the best liberal arts schools in Oregon and America at large.
Reed is a small school with over 3,400 students that produces some of the best art and design graduates.
If you want to be one of them, you’ll have to apply early (there are no late applications).
Though it can be expensive if you choose to live on campus, there are plenty of scholarships available.
Milwaukie Academy of the Arts
The Milwaukie Academy of the Arts is one of only three state-accredited art schools in Oregon, which makes it a great choice for aspiring artists and art aficionados.
However, its proximity to Portland is an even better reason to attend.
Located just 25 minutes from downtown Portland, MAA has been ranked as one of the best art schools in Oregon and America by the Princeton Review for more than a decade.
Lewis & Clark College
Offering a broad spectrum of undergraduate and graduate programs, Lewis & Clark College is often ranked as one of America’s top liberal arts colleges.
With highly acclaimed undergraduate art programs, students develop an in-depth understanding of topics ranging from media to methodology and find their own unique approaches to visual expression.
The school also offers an MFA program for artists looking to explore deeper creative concepts.
Located in Portland, Lewis & Clark is just one of many high-quality art schools in Oregon.
Portland State University
Portland State University is one of the art graduate schools in Oregon and offers these graduate programs in art and art history through the school of Art and Design.
You can choose from MA, MFA, MS, or Ph.D. degrees that focus on concepts like:
- Art production and criticism
- Cultural studies and historical research
- Studio teaching or curating
- Visual culture
While your specific degree will vary depending on your goals, all of these programs take a hands-on approach to teaching you how to critically analyze visual culture while also providing you with professional development opportunities.
University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a research university and one of the art schools in Eugene Oregon.
The school offers graduate-level programs in:
- Art History and
- Studio Art/Art Education.
Its most popular majors are Nursing and Communication Studies.
Masters School of Art
This school has been around for over 90 years and offers an affordable education, with a median cost of $8,671.
Art majors at Masters School of Art can expect to complete their program in four years and graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
Many students opt to transfer to other art schools in Oregon following graduation; however, they are prepared to enter the workforce if they don’t pursue further education.
The majority of graduating students go on to work as artists or art instructors after completing their education.
You can locate this school from the contact details below:
Location: 13231 SE Sunnyside Rd, Clackamas, OR 97015, United States
Phone: +1 503-786-3428
Arts & Technology High School
The Arts & Technology High School teaches students from ninth through twelfth grade with a unique focus on interdisciplinary art and technology education.
Classes include:
- Digital media design
- Web design
- Film and video production
- Visual arts
- Music performance
- Engineering and much more.
And as one of the best art high schools in Oregon, students at ATHS have access to spaces designed to support art and technology education.
These spaces include:
- Digital production studios
- Recording studios
- Graphic design lab
- A video suite and more
Students use these resources to create visual arts films, web designs, graphic design projects, and more.
Woodburn Academy of Art, Science, and Technology
Woodburn Academy of Art, Science, and Technology (WAAAST) is one of the best art high schools in Oregon.
This institution was founded by a group of community leaders who wanted to bring arts and sciences education to high school students in an underserved part of Washington County.
The school offers career-training programs for students interested in becoming artists or educators.
At WAAAST you can learn both classic fine art and practical skills like pottery and jewelry making.
Arts & Communication Magnet Academy
If you’re interested in art and communication, you should consider applying to Arts & Communication Magnet Academy.
A small private school located in Portland, Arts & Communication is known for its focus on project-based learning.
Faculty members regularly participate in professional development and offer students plenty of opportunities to create both individually and collaboratively.
It’s no wonder so many graduates are accepted into prestigious art programs across the country.
While Arts & Communication accepts a fairly limited number of applicants each year, it’s definitely worth exploring if you’re interested in making art your life’s work.
Just keep an eye out for deadlines (you’ll have to apply early) because they fill up quickly!
Northwest Academy
If you’re looking for art schools in Eugene, you might want to consider checking out Northwest Academy.
A private art school founded on an arts-for-arts sake philosophy.
Northwest Academy prides itself on its varied arts curriculum and its well-rounded education.
Though it does not have any majors or minors, Northwest Academy is known for its extensive ceramics program and is credited with helping launch many ceramics careers.
Da Vinci Arts Middle School
If you’re searching for an art school in Oregon with a large variety of programs and an extremely dedicated faculty, Da Vinci Arts Middle School should be your first stop.
This is one of the best art schools in Eugene, Oregon, Da Vinci is a small private school that specializes in creating opportunities for students to learn about art through practice.
With small class sizes and a commitment to fostering community among its students, Da Vinci Arts Middle School prides itself on building a close-knit atmosphere.
Wilmette University
Offers a huge selection of courses as well as an emphasis on diversity and student self-expression.
Wilmette University is one of our top choices for art schools in Eugene.
This is one of the best liberal art schools in Oregon offering degrees like fine arts education and art major with a concentration in ceramics.
You’ll receive practical training from instructors who are not only passionate about their craft but are well-versed at conveying that passion to students.
Central Oregon Community College
COCC is one of the best art schools in Bend and does offer students an associate’s degree in studio arts.
If you’re looking for lower tuition and smaller class sizes, COCC could be a viable option.
If you want to further your art education after graduating from high school, there are several programs at both of these community colleges that can get you started.
Students looking for more extensive training can consider full bachelor’s degrees, with an option to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree.
Oregon State University-Cascades
Easily one of the best art high schools in Bend, Oregon, one of America’s hottest tourist destinations.
Oregon State University’s campus is only minutes away from Bend’s downtown area.
The university offers five master’s degrees, five doctoral degrees, and more than 20 bachelor’s degrees.
Prism Arts LLC
Prism Arts is an art education company located in Bend, Oregon.
Prism Arts offers a range of arts programs that are both fun and educational for kids and adults of all ages.
How do you know if you’re interested in one of these programs?
Here are some questions to ask yourself as you determine if art classes or workshops might be right for you:
- Do I have an artistic flair?
- Do I enjoy creating things?
- Am I good at working with my hands?
Contact details:
Location: 60020 Stirling Dr, Bend, OR 97702, United States
Phone: +1 541-617-1082
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