Art practice is the exploration of studio art experiences and processes with an emphasis on developing your own creative vision. Our program goes beyond the physical activities of making to include idea generation, influences, materials, tools and methods. We offer an interdisciplinary approach with an emphasis on current trends in contemporary art.
Our bachelor of fine arts degree in art practice provides you with the knowledge and skills designed to prepare you for a fulfilling career as a practicing artist. It’s a flexible degree that allows you to design an individual path of study based on your interests and goals. We strive to acquaint you with fundamental concepts while nurturing your own unique vision.
You will start off in our innovative Core program, which offers you the foundational toolkit you'll need to succeed. Core courses foster community and excitement for the diverse ways we engage in creative life and provides learning situations that open up those possibilities.
Our faculty, who are all active makers as well as educators, will mentor you along your path in small classes with frequent one-on-one instruction. As you progress as an art practice major, you will experience a variety of traditional media including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and textiles. But you might also be intrigued by time-based arts that have a durational dimension, such as film, video, sound, and performance art.
We are leaders in the pioneering field of Art + Social Practice. Instead of making art as objects, this field focuses on collaborative experiences and interaction between the artist and cultural systems through activism and social engagement.
WE OFFER
Access to specialized labs and studio facilities
A regular program of visiting artist lectures
Exposure to a variety of mediums and techniques
Opportunities for summer study abroad
Expert faculty who are active participants in the creative community
Courses in a variety of areas including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, video, photography, social practice
While some graduates of our program go on to pursue a master of fine art degree, many find work in a wider array of jobs. As more and more employers look for people who know how to think creatively, an arts training is a great asset.
Fine artist
Art Director
Illustrator
Filmmaker
Photographer
Designer
Teacher or Arts Educator
Art gallery manager
Exhibition designer
Arts administration
Art therapy
Museum technician
September 2025
Portland State University
1825 SW Broadway,
PORTLAND,
Oregon,
97201, United States
To enroll as a first year student, you must have completed secondary school or high school. Your education must be equivalent to United States secondary school or high school education.
You must have a cumulative (overall) grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 when converted to the U.S. 4.0 grading scale.
TOEFL IBT: minimum overall score of 71; minimum subscore of 15 in reading and writing
Academic IELTS 6.0 overall; minimum 6.0 in reading and writing
Academic PTE 53 overall
Application Deadline:
Spring/March 5; Fall/August 1
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.