Pennsylvania College of Art & Design’s strong Bachelor of Fine Arts program is attracting aspiring professional artists who want to study in an urban environment in a community that actively supports the arts. PCA&D is a professional art college offering four-year Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) programs in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, and Photography.
The College's small, intimate environment means our students receive more individualized instruction from the studio faculty, all of whom are professional, working artists and designers. With studios and classrooms designed to meet students' needs and a challenging, first-class curriculum, PCA&D provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in arts-related positions or advanced studies following graduation.
The exciting news this year is our new 9,200 square foot Design Center, which will consolidate and enhance all of the digital aspects of the College under one roof. This means that students from all disciplines (graphic design, illustration, photography, and fine arts) will be able to connect their creative energies in one dynamic environment. Work is underway and we expect the Design Center to open in Fall 2010.
This past year, PCA&D was admitted as a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design, a consortium of 36 leading art schools in the United States. We are also accredited by Middle States and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
In the greater Lancaster community, the College is an important regional economic resource. Since 1987, we have invested more than $9.5 million in our properties and related improvements, with an annual economic impact of more than $9 million dollars.
Since 1997, the number of full-time degree students has increased by 79 percent – from 164 to 294. These students come from all over Pennsylvania as well as New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Delaware, and live in a four- to five-block radius of the College.
Our Continuing Education program is "Your place to explore art," and provides a wide variety of credit and non-credit studio and computer courses for youth, high school students, and adults.
Pre-college classes assist teenagers who are considering art as a career by providing opportunities for them to expand their portfolios, an important component to the college admissions process.
The program enrolls students primarily from Lancaster County, and has grown from 232 students in 1997 to more than 1,400 annually. Through Continuing Education, PCA&D offers Certificate programs in:
Digital Design Series: Web
Digital Design Series: Print
Home Interiors
Mural Painting
Digital Photography
We attribute our success to a clear and focused mission; a talented board, faculty, and staff; enthusiastic students of all ages and interests; smart planning; and a community with a true appreciation of and commitment to the arts.
Get an overview of the 2008-2009 school year by viewing Collage, the PCA&D magazine, or view the PCA&D video, and begin to prepare for your life in art.