Maine College of Art
Located in the heart of the Portland Arts District, Maine College of Art offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts, a Post-Baccalaureate in Art Education as well as Continuing Studies for adults and youths, including a Pre-College intensive for high school students.
The College has transformed a former department store into the main campus building with vibrant classrooms and studios that are open 24/7. Also located in the Porteous Building, the Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA serves a critical regional role in its commitment to presenting contemporary, provocative work by living artists from Maine and around the globe. The Joanne Waxman Library is one of the largest independent libraries in Northern New England and a major resource for the region.
Maine College of Art (MECA)was founded in 1882 as part of the Portland Society of Art. An organized curriculum was established in 1911 and the first diplomas awarded in the 1920′s by the School of Fine and Applied Arts. In 1972, the School’s name was changed to Portland School of Art, and its mission redirected to educate professional visual artists. A core of highly qualified faculty was recruited and a two-year Foundation Program was developed.
The first Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees were awarded in 1975, following accreditation in 1973 by the National Association of Colleges of Art and Design (NASAD) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). In 1982, the School separated from the Portland Society of Art, which also managed the Portland Museum of Art, to become an independent organization with its own Board of Trustees. In 1983, the College purchased and renovated the Baxter Building, the former home of the Portland Public Library.
Mission
Maine College of Art delivers a demanding and enlivening education in visual art and design within an intimate learning community. We teach each student how to transform aspirations and values into a creative practice that serves as the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of personal and professional goals.
Courses Offered
Undergraduate Programs
- History
- Ceramics
- New Media
- Foundation
- Painting
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Illustration
- Printmaking
- Liberal Arts
- Sculpture
- Metalsmithing & Jewelry
- Woodworking & Furniture Design
Graduate Programs
- Master of Fine Arts
Contact Details
Maine College of Art
522 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
Main number: 207.775.3052
Toll-free 800.639.4808
Admissions: 800.699.1509
Official Website: http://www.meca.edu/
