Residence Life

As of Fall 2013, PNCA will proudly house all new freshmen and transfer students in ArtHouse.

Creativity Lives Here

Welcome to the PNCA Office of Student Services. We are here to help students with their college housing needs, either within the PNCA Residence Life program or by assisting continuing students with other resources for locating accommodations within Portland.

Community Living and Learning

PNCA’s Residence Life program provides a supportive and vibrant environment that facilitates creativity and collaboration. We educate students through in-house social and academic activities, as well as events that connect students to the life, culture, and arts of Portland.

The Residence Life program includes live-in Resident Advisors (RAs) who provide ongoing programming, resource guidance, and support for community living. RAs are current PNCA students trained to cultivate a safe and healthy community for our residents.

Welcome to ArtHouse: Creativity Lives Here

Architect’s rendering of ArtHouse. Courtesy Lever Architecture / LRS Architects.

As of Fall 2013, PNCA will proudly house all new freshmen and transfer students in ArtHouse. A limited number of spaces will be occupied by continuing PNCA students, ensuring a robust community of artists and scholars. Admitted Spring 2014 students are welcome to apply for ArtHouse and will be accepted on a space available basis.

ArtHouse is contemporary student housing on the North Park Blocks in the arts-focused Pearl District. Designed with PNCA students in mind, ArtHouse is just a 5-minute walk from the future Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Center for Art and Design and across the street from the Museum of Contemporary Craft.

The student apartments are light-filled spaces that face the park and the city, with hallways that serve as gallery spaces for student art. Apartments are furnished and feature modern kitchen appliances and washer/dryers. The Portland Streetcar, rail lines, and bus routes are within blocks of ArtHouse, as are a variety of entertainment and dining options.

Amenities and Features of Your New Home

- Fully furnished with custom-designed furniture
- All standard utilities included
- Fiber optic Ethernet connection with dedicated wireless routers in each unit
- Full kitchen with energy-saving appliances, including dishwasher and microwave
- Washer/dryer in each unit
- Large windows allowing in natural light and views of Portland’s cityscape
- Secure building entry system
- One specially trained residence life staff member per 21 students
- Community study area
- Student art galleries on each floor
- Rain garden and surrounding leisure deck
- Secured bicycle parking
- LEED registered building with green features
- Café and ground floor retail
- Renter’s insurance policy
- Nine-month housing contract including winter break
- Optional summer housing available in 2014 (additional cost)

In and Around Your New Neighborhood: The Pearl

- Over 20 art galleries and abundant shopping and dining options
- Major bus lines, the Portland Streetcar, and the MAX Light Rail
- Union Station with Amtrak, Greyhound, and Bolt Bus service
- City car share program
- Walk Score of 100 (Walker’s Paradise) and Bike Score of 97 (Biker’s Paradise)
- Ranked #22 of 280 Portland attractions by TripAdvisor

Apply Now for Fall 2013

Students may apply to rent their own private room in a two-bedroom or three-bedroom apartment or may request to share a studio or bedroom with another PNCA student. New students should submit the completed ArtHouse Application (PDF downloadable from the right column) and deposit by May 15, 2013 for the best chance of securing their first choice room type. All new students are expected to sign their leases by June 14, 2013 to guarantee a space. 

Mandatory Housing Policy and Exception Request Process

Effective Fall 2013, new PNCA undergraduates must reside in ArtHouse for the entire first year at PNCA unless they qualify for an exemption or successfully petition for an exception. Exemptions are granted for students who are married or who are living with parents or legal guardians within 30 miles of campus. On a case-by-case basis, the College will review requests for exceptions to this policy based on extraordinary circumstances (e.g., medical issue). Students entering in Fall 2013 must submit the Residence Life Exemption Request Form by June 26, 2013 for full consideration of their request. Substantiating documentation must accompany the request form.

Off-Campus Housing

If you are a continuing student who would like assistance with finding off-campus housing in the Portland Metro area, our Residence Life Coordinator is available to answer questions. Get started by downloading the Off-Campus Housing Guide in the PDX Resources section to the right.

Contact Us

Office of Student Services
Diana Jaramillo, Residence Life Coordinator
Pacific Northwest College of Art
1241 NW Johnson
Portland, OR 97209
E: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
T: 503.821.8883

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