Dear PAFA students,

PCA&D and PAFA share the same program framework that prepares students for work in their major programs through rigorous coursework in general education and studio preparation. Animation and time-based media, drawing, illustration, individualized study, painting, printmaking, and sculpture students will find the same pathway for study available in PCA&D’s Bachelor of Fine Art degrees in Animation & Game Art, Fine Art, Illustration, and Photography & Video, as well as PCA&D’s Bachelor of Art Degree in Design Thinking and Associate of Art Degree in Design Thinking.

A BFA in Animation & Game Art combines traditional art with computers and technology. Students master the principles of 2D and 3D design, storytelling, basic interactivity, digital animation, digital audio production, and time-based media through lectures, demos, and studio work.

The Fine Art BFA prepares students to build and develop skills and ideas through the daily practice of making, researching, discussing, and critiquing. The study of fine art places no restrictions on self-expression but instead is characterized by an emphasis on wide-ranging intellectual curiosity, strong craft in the use of a variety of media, and a tireless push toward personal growth and solutions. Whatever the work, the fine art discipline requires the artist to be effective in communicating and leading others. Our rigorous Fine Art program focuses on the core studio areas of drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and digital mixed media as stepping stones to a personal artistic path. 

The Illustration BFA prepares students for the work as a hired hand as well as an entrepreneur. As contemporary illustrators, our faculty help students balance their artistic vision with the needs of their clients, while also embracing the spirit of entrepreneurship. Students learn about effective self-promotion, finding clients, pricing and ethical guidelines, the history of illustration, and how to manage their business, whether as freelance artists or working directly in-house with a company.

Our rigorous BFA in Photography & Video exposes students to the industry’s traditional practices and contemporary developments. Students are immersed in current practices, attitudes, and competencies, ultimately developing their artistic vision. Students learn the history of the craft and then bring that knowledge into the 21st century by documenting social, aesthetic, and critical issues from their unique perspectives.

A Bachelor of Arts and an Associate of Arts degree in Design Thinking prepares students to become strategic leaders and design thinkers in arts industries, obtaining broad knowledge, practice, and experience in art-making; developing skills in visual, aural, and written communication; and exploring problems and tested solutions in a collaborative learning environment.

We offer apartment-style student housing, giving you the opportunity to live independently with a safety net of support from the College.

STUDENT HOUSING

PCA&D Student Housing is overseen by Residential Life and supported by PCA&D staff members to ensure the safety and well-being of our residential students. All of our communities are within a short walk of our campus and have a variety of amenities nearby.

You will live with up to three other roommates in 1- to 4-bedroom spaces, featuring communal spaces. PCA&D Student Housing offers all the amenities of traditional college living and includes programming that fosters students’ sense of community both as a young professional and an emerging artist.

Enjoy the convenience of…

• Housing costs billed along with tuition
• Fully furnished rooms
• Safe and secure buildings, patrolled by multiple organizations
• Maintenance ticket system
• Trained student leaders live in each community to provide guidance, support, and help build a welcoming and inclusive community. Throughout the year, they host events like community game nights, potlucks, movie nights, and more.
• Emergency support line with professional on-call staff
 

about housing

COMMUTING

Commuting is a great way to save money while enjoying the vibrant community PCA&D has to offer. PCA&D is working with AMTRAK to provide Travel Grants to help offset the cost of train travel between Philadelphia and our Lancaster campus.

Driving to PCA&D? A parking garage is available right behind campus for your use. You will be able to purchase a parking pass through the Bursar’s office.

PCA&D instructors use Google Classroom to facilitate online learning classes. As part of Google Classroom, you will utilize tools such as Google Drive, Calendar, Chat, and Meet. 

Upon registration and before classes start, PCA&D will send each enrolled student a URL link to an Orientation Google Classroom that both confirms you are able to utilize Google Classroom and provides resources for getting started with your class. 

In addition, PAFA College students have the opportunity to earn certificates while they are enrolled in BFA programs. Options include:

• Advanced Photography & Video  12 credits
• Business in Creative Industry* 18 credits
• Communication Design  16.5 credits
• Data Visualization*  18 credits
• Digital Photography  18 credits
• Esports Management*  18 credits
• Fashion Merchandising*  18 credits
• Live Experience Design & Production  18 credits
• Packaging Design  10.5 credits
• UX/UI Design*  16.5 credits

 *Available Online

PCA&D staff and faculty work together to support you.

Our Academic Support Services offer assistance with writing, research, time management, and studio art skill-building.

Our Faculty Bridge Mentor helps you as you transition to life at PCA&D.

Our Faculty Persistence Mentor works with you over time to accomplish your goals when facing challenges or obstacles to your success.

Our Student Success Advisor works with you one-to-one to help you persist by offering guidance, support, and assistance in accessing the many resources PCA&D offers.

Students are the driving force behind campus life at PCA&D, from student government to student-led clubs and community traditions.

Elected Student Council officials facilitate communications between the student body and PCA&D staff members, and provide structure and supervision for all other student clubs. Existing clubs include Mi Gente, the Black Led Artist Coalition, the Yes & Theater Club, and the PCA&D Esports Team, among others. Students are also welcome to propose and create their own unique student groups.

You can look forward to and help plan annual traditions like the PCA&D Halloween Party and Friendsgiving.

You can also immerse yourself in Lancaster city life, exploring the neighboring arts district, Lancaster Central Market, and events like First Fridays and Music Fridays.

PCA&D provides resources and advising support to find internships in the creative industry for all students in all degree programs.

Career Services works with you to provide support programming regarding career development and preparation. These services include resume and interview preparation assistance, alumni career strategy consultations, and the Career Closet.

Career Services also hosts events such as Career Day, Business Bootcamp, and a variety of workshops throughout the year.

About internships

PCA&D supports your creative work from Foundation year through to your Senior thesis and beyond.

Exhibits

Exhibition opportunities are offered regularly throughout the year in student-led and student-centered spaces. 

Senior Show

Every graduating student is represented in the annual Senior Show, PCA&D’s signature exhibition event. While most exhibitions take place in our galleries or just outside of classrooms, Senior Show transforms four levels of PCA&D into micro gallery spaces for each senior. 

Senior Show 2023

The dedicated faculty at PCA&D teach and mentor you in and out of the classroom and provide a network of support within the academic major departments. The 15 full-time, 14 part-time, and 42 adjunct faculty teaching this fall in the six academic majors and the Foundation and Liberal Arts departments are both educators and active, working professionals in their fields. They all recognize PCA&D students as unique individuals following their own creative pathways. Department chairs have strategically designed major and minor programs to build essential critical thinking, conceptual, and making skills incrementally over time while encouraging curiosity, risk-taking, and exploration within the major and across disciplines. PCA&D faculty value active learning; departments sponsor co-curricular activities, such as guest artist talks and performances, to enhance students’ academic and personal growth.

Here are just a few of the faculty currently teaching at PCA&D:

Evan Kitson, Part-time Professor, Fine Art

Evan Kitson is a draftsman, painter, instructor, anatomist, curator, collector, and self-described all-around art-obsessed thirty-something. He splits his time between Lancaster, PA, where he maintains his studio and teaching practice, and New York, NY, where he exhibits and also instructs. Kitson earned his BFA in Illustration from Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, his MFA from the New York Academy of Art, and has held a number of studio assistantships, notably working with Odd Nerdrum. He has taught at many institutions, including The Art Students League of New York, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, The New York Academy of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harrisburg Area Community College, and Studio Incamminati. He’s given talks at Millersville University, Booth Gallery, Grand Central Atelier, and Parsons School of Design. Alongside his active studio practice, Evan is currently an Artist in Residence at the North Museum in Lancaster, PA.

Matt Novak, Assistant Professor, Animation & Game Art

Matt Novak has been writing and illustrating picture books for almost 35 years. Among his many titles are The Everything Machine, Flip Flop Bop, The Pillow War, The Last Christmas Present, and Elmer Blunt’s Open House. His Mouse TV was a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and Newt received an IRA Children’s Choice Award. He has worked with just about every major publishing house in the country and had his work reviewed in The New York Times and many other national publications. Matt has been a puppeteer, a teacher (including many years at PCA&D), and a Disney artist. While at Disney he worked on such films as Rescuers Down Under and Beauty and the Beast. He has also done many freelance animation projects for web- and television-related projects. He and his family now live in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

All the faculty

Our alumni are innovators, collaborators, entrepreneurs, and more. They have learned to focus their ideas, work to integrate critique and critical thinking, and are immersed in pursuing their individual creative pathways.

Learn more about what just a few of our recent graduates are up to:

Fine Art

Seth Crider ’18, went on to complete a Masters of Science in Data Analytics and Visualization from Pratt Institute. He works as a Data Analyst for Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York City, NY, and is an adjunct professor at PCA&D.

Parker Galen ’23, started a full academic year residency at PCA&D this fall, working with Prof. Line Bruntse. He assists with studio maintenance and sculpture classes from introductory through advanced. 

Animation & Game Art

Jeff Maisonneuve ’21, is working full-time in the animation field as an Animator/Rigger Technical Artist at City State Entertainment.

“PCA&D gave me practice working well with others. Since we started online classes at PCA&D, this was a good introduction to remote work. Many industry positions are now remote, and the practice with time management was helpful.”

Nathaniel Gonzales ’21, is working in the field in Los Angeles and recently wrapped up working on Lego 2K Drive.

“PCA&D really reinforced my appreciation for sketch booking, experimentation, and story writing.”

Illustration

Matty “Matty Geez” Guiliano ‘14,  just wrapped up an installation of his work at Philadelphia Navy Yard. He exhibits on a regular basis and was the College’s Artist in Residence in York.

Delaina Jolley ’22, has received the 2023 Artisan Market Grant awarded to an emerging artist for participation in the Winterthur Artisan Market in Summer 2023. She also is an admission counselor for Delaware College of Art and Design.

Kaitlyn McCulley ’21, was a finalist in The Art of Racing, a nationwide competition to capture Preakness thoroughbred horse racing in 2D art.

Tyler Le ’20, works as an associate graphic designer for Insider Inc., and his work also has been featured in publications such as The New York Times.

“PCA&D’s strengths while I was attending were the professors and their ability to have a personal relationship with their students to the extent of wanting to see your growth and to cheer that on. To this day there are so many teachers still reaching out and supporting my growth as an artist.”