Maine College of Art & Design
Located in the heart of the Portland Arts District, Maine College of Art & Design provides 24/7 access to its vibrant studios, classrooms, and state-of-the-art facilities to let students experiment with their work when passion strikes. In your junior and senior years, you receive your own personal studio space within your major. With a 10:1 student to faculty ratio and deeply-rooted community partnerships, we are dedicated to supporting your ability to grow in your craft. This is the right-sized school in the right-sized city for students to truly make their mark.
Our Artists at Work program is here to help translate your passions into a variety of career options. The Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D based in our Porteous Building serves a critical regional role in its commitment to presenting contemporary, provocative work by living artists from Maine and around the globe. MECA&D's Joanne Waxman Library is one of the largest independent libraries in Northern New England, and it offers the first and only materials collection in Maine.
Our Artists at Work program is here to help translate your passions into a variety of career options. The Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D based in our Porteous Building serves a critical regional role in its commitment to presenting contemporary, provocative work by living artists from Maine and around the globe. MECA&D's Joanne Waxman Library is one of the largest independent libraries in Northern New England, and it offers the first and only materials collection in Maine.
Accepts first-year applicationsNew EnglandPrivateUrbanSmall (2,000 and under)Co-Ed
Academic programs
- Design
- Music
- Art & Design
- Visual Arts
Student experience
- Co-op/Internship Opportunities
- Disability Services
- LGBTQIA Services
- Military/Veteran Services
- On-Campus Housing
- Study Abroad
- Distance/online learning
Application information
First-year
Deadlines
Early Action: December 1, 2025
Full-Tuition Scholarship Competition: February 1, 2026
Priority Application: March 1, 2026
Rolling admissions as space is available after March 1, 2026.
Application Requirements
+ Complete Common App
+ Application Fee of $70 (or waiver)
+ Personal Essay
+ One (1) Letter of Recommendation
+ High School Transcripts (or equivalent)
+ Portfolio of 12–20 pieces of artwork
International students should also submit demonstration of English proficiency via IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo English test.
Transfer
Deadlines
Early Action: December 1, 2025
Priority Application: March 1, 2026
Rolling admissions as space is available after March 1, 2026.
Application Requirements
+ Complete Common App
+ Application Fee of $70 (or waiver)
+ Personal Essay
+ One (1) Letter of Recommendation
+ High School Transcripts (or equivalent)
+ Official College Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
+ Portfolio of 12–20 pieces of artwork
International students should also submit demonstration of English proficiency via IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. Applicants who attended postsecondary institutions outside of the United States are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES).
Early Action: December 1, 2025
Priority Application: March 1, 2026
Rolling admissions as space is available after March 1, 2026.
Application Requirements
+ Complete Common App
+ Application Fee of $70 (or waiver)
+ Personal Essay
+ One (1) Letter of Recommendation
+ High School Transcripts (or equivalent)
+ Official College Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
+ Portfolio of 12–20 pieces of artwork
International students should also submit demonstration of English proficiency via IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. Applicants who attended postsecondary institutions outside of the United States are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES).
Image gallery
Additional information
Financial Aid
At Maine College of Art & Design 100% of our BFA degree students receive some type of financial assistance. Students at MECA&D receive more than $16.7 million annually in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and job opportunities. The College provides over $7.6 million directly to support the aid programs available to students.
Merit-based scholarships are based on strength of application and can be as much as $25,000 per year. These scholarships are renewable each year you are at MECA&D.
Artists at Work
Think of us as a career concierge service. From professional prep classes integrated into the curriculum to support on a grant application 20 years later, Artists at Work is here for you for life. We connect our students and alumni with people and opportunities through our robust network built on deep relationships with faculty, staff, alumni, and local and global communities.
At Maine College of Art & Design 100% of our BFA degree students receive some type of financial assistance. Students at MECA&D receive more than $16.7 million annually in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and job opportunities. The College provides over $7.6 million directly to support the aid programs available to students.
Merit-based scholarships are based on strength of application and can be as much as $25,000 per year. These scholarships are renewable each year you are at MECA&D.
Artists at Work
Think of us as a career concierge service. From professional prep classes integrated into the curriculum to support on a grant application 20 years later, Artists at Work is here for you for life. We connect our students and alumni with people and opportunities through our robust network built on deep relationships with faculty, staff, alumni, and local and global communities.
Visit us
Come visit our unparalleled facilities where students have 24/7 access. Schedule a visit to Maine College of Art & Design at meca.edu/visit!
Open Houses
MECA&D offers Open Houses throughout the Fall and Spring, typically on Saturdays. They are a great way to meet students, faculty, and staff and see the campus. Register for our events here.
Tours
Join us for a tour to explore all six floors of our main building which includes studio departments, major spaces, the MECA&D Cafe, Joanne Waxman Library, the Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D, and our residence halls.
Open Houses
MECA&D offers Open Houses throughout the Fall and Spring, typically on Saturdays. They are a great way to meet students, faculty, and staff and see the campus. Register for our events here.
Tours
Join us for a tour to explore all six floors of our main building which includes studio departments, major spaces, the MECA&D Cafe, Joanne Waxman Library, the Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D, and our residence halls.