Willamette University inks merger with Pacific Northwest College of Art

Willamette University will soon have more options for students studying art after finalizing a merger with the Pacific Northwest College of Art on Wednesday.

The college, which has a downtown Portland campus, will maintain its own admission process and be an independent college within Willamette, offering both undergraduate and graduate arts degrees.

Willamette President Steve Thorsett said the two institutions began discussing possible joint programs in November 2019.

The College of Art was looking for…