Oregon Community Colleges
Art Programs
Art and visual-arts coursework at community colleges in this state. Studio art, art history, and design-track classes for fine-arts transfer.
9 colleges · 197 sections · 67 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Oregon community college art programs span studio art (drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics) and applied design (graphic design, digital media, illustration). The 197 sections across 9 Oregon CCs colleges this term include intro studio courses, art history, design fundamentals, and software-specific training (Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, Blender for 3D).
Two distinct outcomes: the studio-art associate is largely transfer-prep for BFA programs at four-year art schools; the graphic-design AAS is a direct-to-career credential preparing students for entry design roles, agency junior positions, and in-house marketing teams. Compare colleges below — programs with strong portfolio-development emphasis place graduates better than those focused purely on technique.
Colleges offering Art
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Art is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
| College | Sections | Courses | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemeketa Community College | 48 | 12 | 12 |
| Lane Community College | 35 | 21 | 2 |
| Central Oregon Community College | 34 | 23 | 14 |
| Treasure Valley Community College | 29 | 15 | 2 |
| Linn-Benton Community College | 26 | 13 | 9 |
| Clatsop Community College | 14 | 12 | — |
| Klamath Community College | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Oregon Coast Community College | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Columbia Gorge Community College | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Art Availability Snapshot
How art sections are being offered across 9 colleges in Oregon this term (197 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person146 (74%)
- online46 (23%)
- hybrid5 (3%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)61
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)73
- Evening (5 PM and after)6
- Asynchronous / TBA57
Start dates
Sections begin on 4 distinct dates. 1 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 68 distinct instructors across 9 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Chemeketa Community College2 programs
Portland Community College1 program
Recommended Course Sequence
92 credits- GD 120Graphic Design I(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 131ADrawing I(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 114Introductory Typography(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 150Digital Illustration 1(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 116Intermediate Typography(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 122Graphic Design 2(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 140Digital Page Design 1(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 151Digital Illustration 2(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 214History of Graphic Design(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 124Graphic Design 3(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 141Digital Page Design 2(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 160Digital Imaging 1(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 182Screen Design Principles(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 221Graphic Design 4(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 239Illustration for Graphic Designers(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 244Print Strategies(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 249Design Studioor Cooperative Education: Graphic Design(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 260Digital Imaging 2(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 272Printmaking I Screenprinting or Printmaking I Intaglio or Printmaking I Relief(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 222Graphic Design 5(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 228Professional Graphic Design Practices(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 242Combined Graphic Programs(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ART 140AIntroduction to Digital Photography(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- BA 239Advertisingor Social Media Marketing(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- GD 229Portfolio Preparation(3 cr)not offered+ plan
Source: College catalog
Rogue Community College2 programs
Common Art courses
- ART 131Beginning Drawing(29 sections)
- ART 115Basic Design: 2-D(24 sections)
- ART 101Intro to the Visual Arts(12 sections)
- ART 102Intro to Art & Design Careers(11 sections)
- ART 265Photography: Digital Basics(10 sections)
- ART 199SPECIAL STUDIES(9 sections)
- ART 253Ceramics - Intermediate I(7 sections)
- ART 204Introduction to Art History(4 sections)
- ART 251Ceramics: Wheel Throwing(4 sections)
- ART 116Basic Design: Color(3 sections)
- ART 234Figure Drawing(3 sections)
- ART 250Introduction to Ceramics I(3 sections)
Career outlook for Art graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Oregon’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I be a graphic designer with just a community-college degree?
- Yes — the AAS in graphic design is a complete entry-level credential, and most Oregon programs are designed to build a portfolio strong enough for junior designer roles. Hiring is heavily portfolio-driven; the degree gets you in the door but your portfolio determines whether you get the role. Software fluency (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) is table stakes.
- Will my art credits transfer to a BFA program?
- Studio courses (drawing, painting, sculpture) typically transfer as elective credit toward a BFA but may not fulfill specific BFA major-requirement slots — BFA programs usually want their own foundation sequence. Art history and gen-ed courses transfer cleanly. The associate of fine arts (AFA) is the strongest transfer-prep pathway if you know you'll continue to a BFA; check articulation agreements with target schools.
- What's the difference between studio art and graphic design programs?
- Studio art is fine-art-oriented (creating original work, often for galleries or commission); graphic design is commercial-art-oriented (creating work to client briefs for marketing, branding, packaging, web). The career economics are very different — graphic designers have many more entry roles available; studio artists typically need to build a separate career while developing their practice.
- Do I need to be 'good at art' to start?
- Less than you'd think for graphic design — the program teaches design principles and software from the foundation up. Studio art programs assume more foundational drawing skill but most Oregon CCs offer beginner-level studio courses; the question is whether you have time and motivation to put in the hours of practice that any visual-art career requires.
Compare Art programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Oregon’s art programs stack up.
Other programs in Oregon
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.