PSU’s Social Justice & the Arts Bachelor’s degree taps into Portland’s rich culture of creativity, artists, and activists, and invites students to explore the powerful connection between artistic expression and civic engagement.
In this first-of-its-kind program, students develop their creativity and discover their potential to effect social change in local and global communities. The core curriculum integrates courses in music, theater, film, architecture, art history, and art and design. As students learn about art theory and apply it to their creative practice, they are also immersed in themes like civic engagement, activism, advocacy, and social change.
Students have the opportunity to:
- Cultivate their creativity through a wide range of art practices and classes in disciplines from design to film to music.
- Dive deep into courses on the principles of civic engagement and conflict resolution, the arts and social change, the history of social justice movements, and more.
- Collaborate with groups from different cultural backgrounds and identities.
- Engage with marginalized communities through local service learning activities.
- Learn from expert faculty who are active participants in the creative community as well as educators.
Throughout the program, students will also participate in lectures and workshops with visiting artists and activists from a broad range of cultures and backgrounds.
By the time they leave PSU, they’ll be able to think critically about personal agency (a person’s belief that they have the ability to do the things they need and want to do, and that they are capable of making a difference in their own life and in the larger world) and will have the skills needed to express their commitments to social justice in creative ways.
At PSU, students study at a university that works to fight racism, advance social justice, and ensure success for all. Our deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice is at the core of who we are, and what we do — and it extends into our academic programs as well.
The faculty in our Social Justice & the Arts program are change-making artists and experienced educators. As a student in the program, you’ll work with faculty who are advocates, activists, and changemakers. They use their art to question the status quo, and create nationally and internationally recognized initiatives that engage social justice across different fields and areas of study.
Our urban campus sits at an epicenter for social change, which gives students endless opportunities to tap into the city’s wealth of artists and activists and rich culture of creativity. Students have access to art institutions, socially engaged organizations, and the city's thriving arts community.
PSU is the place to harness your power to make a difference and connect with a community that uses their creativity to change society for the better.
Creativity is a key component of innovation and problem solving, and drives the kind of bright ideas that top employers want.
Graduates of the social justice and the arts program have the creative and critical thinking skills to work in the public, private, nonprofit, and community-based sectors. They can find meaningful work in a variety of roles, including:
- Arts administrator
- Creative artist
- Community organizer
- Community development director
- Content developer
- Dialogue facilitator
- Education or outreach coordinator
- Grant writer
- Journalist, copywriter, or editor
- Social justice advocate
- NGO program manager
- Video producer or editor
After completing the program, students can also pursue an advanced degree in related fields such as education, public administration, urban planning, or art and social practice.
About The College of the Arts at PSU
PSU's College of the Arts is Portland’s most dynamic public arts institution. In the classroom and the community, our students cultivate bold ideas that change the world — and pave their professional path. Our students improve their craft and impact our city through creative research, hands-on practice, community projects and public events. They gain essential skills to solve pressing problems, and prepare for successful careers in the arts, and beyond.