A new home for visual arts at PSU

A landmark facility for Portland's creative hub

In Fall 2026, the Portland arts community welcomes a brand-new, purpose-built home for Portland State University’s Jordan Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design. Every floor of the new four-story building features light-filled, high-tech spaces, studios, classrooms, labs and galleries designed for creativity and collaboration.

Graphic Design students laughing together while sitting at a studio table

Putting students at the heart of the design process

The vision of the school is to enable imaginative thinking unbound by traditional structures, exporting creativity across campus. Dr. Amara Perez, equity and inclusion consultant, led 15 BIPOC art and design students to create “Spatial Aspirations," informing the project design to support educational equity.

Read about the design process

The timber frame of the new home for the Jordan Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design. Photo by Mark Stein

Sustainably and regionally sourced design

Designed by LEVER Architecture, the construction features Northwest mass timber -- engineered wood components produced through cutting-edge building technology. The 100,000 square-foot building is the first structure on the PSU campus to be constructed of mass timber.

More about mass timber production

Take a peek inside

Architects' rendering of the Catalyst Lab, a state-of-the-art space for emerging and experimental technology.

The Creative Suite offers a space for students and faculty to collaborate.

Architects' rendering of the Creative Suite, a space for students and faculty to collaborate.

Architects' rendering of the view of the work yard, shown from the interior.

Architects' rendering of the building exterior, showing the work yard.

Join the Celebration

Grand Opening Celebration

October 13, 2026

Join us for the grand opening celebration for the new home of the Jordan Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design, Tuesday, October 13, 4pm to 8pm.

Learn more about the event

Come for the ribbon cutting. Stay for the party. Explore the whole building.

We’ll have building maps and a full program ready when you arrive, along with lots of excited volunteers to show you around, point you to the fun, and answer your building questions. Everyone is invited!

Schedule of Events

Opening Remarks at 4 pm
Ribbon Cutting at 4:45 pm
Green Loop Between Shattuck Hall and the new Art Building

The Whole Building Comes Alive from 5 to 8 pm!

Floor 1‍ | Party + Printing + Food!

DJ Tina Snow Le! TOMBOY! Rowdy Airbrush! Secret Room Press Riso Photobooth! Outlet Breakfast Button Bar! Lucky Garden! Art + Social Practice! Rodeo! Cobra Dogs! Rosa’s Churros! Drinks + MORE!

Floor 2 | Games + Experimentation

Clown Bingo! Art History Hangout! No-Peek Portraits! Grand Opening Yearbook! Timeless Tech! Comma Corner! Friendtorship! Knit With Algae! Electric Cave Paintings! Launch Alumni Studios! POPCORN!

Floor 3 | Print + Fashion + Textiles

Human Photocopier! Refashion Challenge! Workshops @ PSU! Textile demonstrations! Pull a print! Make something!
KEEP GOING UP THOSE STAIRS!

Floor 4 | Photo + Performance + Film

Mini Photobook Fair! Darkroom photograms! Photobooth! DJ Susan Saranwrap! Painting + Drawing Dance Party! Art Chopped! Handmade Film Night! Combat Recent Technology! Portrait of a Building!