College of the Arts

Creative expression meets real-world impact.

Experience the arts at PSU

Find your creative voice—and experience the voices of others—at the most dynamic and accessible public arts institution in Oregon.

Through creative research, community projects, and hundreds of public events each year, the College of the Arts makes Portland a better place to live.

In the studio and on the stage, in the classroom and the community. Our students and faculty cultivate the bold ideas that can change the world.

Artists are problem solvers. Today more than ever, that’s what the world needs.

Creative practice demands new ideas, empathy for others, collaboration and practical results. These skills are essential for solving the big challenges facing society today—and they’re at the heart of our college. That’s why our graduates are well prepared for successful careers in the arts and beyond.

COVID-19 Update: The College of the Arts staff will continue to work mostly remotely during Fall term 2021. Don't hesitate to reach out to the-arts@pdx.edu with any specific questions or concerns.

Our schools

School of Architecture

School of Art + Design

School of Film

School of Music & Theater

Student Resources

How to Apply

Academic Advising

Scholarships

Black Lives Matter

The College of the Arts is committed to working for justice and striving to create an anti-racist environment for our students, faculty, staff and community. Read Dean Leroy Bynum, Jr.'s statement to the community.

Your generosity makes a difference

Innovation, advocacy, and community building are central to addressing today’s challenges—and creativity is key. College of the Arts students pursue rigorous academic curricula and learn the skills and discipline for successful and sustainable careers in the arts. Your gift will have direct impact on aspiring artists, musicians, designers, and makers!

The College of the Arts Student Hardship Fund was created to provide immediate support to students in need of emergency funds to cover both academic and personal expenses, such as housing, medical bills, utilities, and equipment. Thank you for your gift to support College of the Arts students facing financial hardship during this challenging time.

Give to the College

Give to the Harsdship Fund

Upcoming events

Black Panther Kent Ford talks with young students at the Fred Hampton Summer Camp

October 26

Deinum Prize Showcase Exhibition: Auditing an MFA

"Auditing an MFA" is an exhibition that explores Master Artist Michael…

Add to my Calendar 2021-10-26 07:00:00 2021-10-25 10:31:06 Deinum Prize Showcase Exhibition: Auditing an MFA "Auditing an MFA" is an exhibition that explores Master Artist Michael Bernard Stevenson Jr.'s journey to earn their Master of Fine Art degree in the Art + Social Practice Program at Portland State University. Master Artist Michael Bernard Stevenson Jr. (MAMBSJ) received the Deinum Prize for Visionaries and Provocateurs in 2020 for their work with the Afro Contemporary Art Class at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School. The Afro Contemporary Art Class was launched by MAMBSJ in 2020 as an after-school collaborative educational project for students in third through fifth grades. Through hands-on exploration of the work of Afro contemporary artists and leaders, the project enables young students, especially those of African descent, to learn more about the history and context that shapes their lives, culture, and social experience. As part of the Deinum project, MAMBSJ produced a newspaper with support from the Black Art Ecology of Portland to be distributed to the homes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School students during remote learning. They were invited to present to students remotely through King School Museum of Contemporary Art’s artist in residence program, as well as to do programming entitled Afro Futurist February for Black History Month. MAMBSJ’s work in this award period recently culminated in the offering of Fred Hampton Summer Camp at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, with support from Vanport Mosaic and Portland Public Schools. In this exhibition, which chronicles the Afro Contemporary Art Class at King School and other projects, MAMBSJ draws the viewer's eyes to and through a deeper labyrinth of content that sits just barely under the surface of the Master Artist’s practice: the bureaucracy. Having collected their receipts for the entirety of their degreeing period, MAMBSJ challenges viewers to juxtapose the creative practice with the costs incurred to do the work, the monies earned from doing it, the debts accrued to receive their title, and the culminating audit of these fiscal categories as seen in their federal tax return statements. The exhibition will be on display from September 27 through December 10 in the Broadway Gallery in Lincoln Hall, with an Artist Talk on October 1, at 5:00 P.M. in Lincoln Recital Hall, Room 75. The Artist Talk is free and open to the public, but all guests must register to obtain a ticket. Seating is limited to the first 150 guests. Register for the Artist Talk on October 1. Guests are required to wear face masks at all times indoors regardless of vaccination status in accordance with Oregon and Portland State University policies. Sanitation stations are available in Lincoln Hall. Read more. Image: Former Black Panther Kent Ford speaks with students in the Fred Hampton Summer Camp at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School. Broadway Gallery, Lincoln Hall, SW Broadway at Market St., Portland, OR the-arts@pdx.edu the-arts@pdx.edu America/Los_Angeles public

abstract painting in street art style on loose canvas

October 26

Extremities of the Multiverse

A painting-based installation by PSU students and alums featuring The…

Add to my Calendar 2021-10-26 07:00:00 2021-10-25 20:31:58 Extremities of the Multiverse A painting-based installation by PSU students and alums featuring The Black Sheep Collective, Vinh Pham, Safiyah Maurice, and Christian Orellana Bauer Exhibition on view October 7-28 (no reception) Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm AB Gallery Art Building, 1st floor 2000 SW 5th Avenue art@pdx.edu art@pdx.edu America/Los_Angeles public

October 26

Darby Jones: Portals

Artist Statement: "Portals is an ongoing series that stems from my…

Add to my Calendar 2021-10-26 07:00:00 2021-10-25 14:10:41 Darby Jones: Portals Artist Statement: "Portals is an ongoing series that stems from my interest in the fifth dimension, which encompasses spiritual, theoretical, and magical ways of understanding life and living. I experience the fifth dimension most intensely in times of change or transition, including pregnancy, childbirth, and new life. I’m exploring that space of intuition that expresses itself during these times of transition and transformation. The use of disposable cameras and instant film allowed for the intuitive compositional choice to be revealed without the obstruction from decision-making and slowing down required in my photographic practice." Exhibition on view October 7-28 (no reception) Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm MK Gallery Art Building, 2nd floor 2000 SW 5th Avenue art@pdx.edu art@pdx.edu America/Los_Angeles public

October 23 October 24

Kickstart Weekend

Kick-off your year at PSU with a fun, immersive program Oct 23rd - 24th,…

Add to my Calendar 2021-10-23 10:00:00 2021-10-24 14:00:00 Kickstart Weekend Kick-off your year at PSU with a fun, immersive program Oct 23rd - 24th, 2021! Join us at the Karl Miller Center for an intensive intro to design, research, industry and consumer trends, prototyping, and UX with a special focus on consumer goods. Start Something Great and Build a Startup in 48 hours Registration Link: https://www.pdx.edu/entrepreneurship/psu-kickstart-weekend Karl Miller Center Juan Barraza - barraza@pdx.edu Juan Barraza - barraza@pdx.edu America/Los_Angeles public

October 15, 2021

College of the Arts