History
Paris College of Art’s academic programs began in 1981 at 10bis rue Letellier under the name Parsons Paris. Parsons Paris, which was established by Parsons School of Design, offered of a full-time art and design program run in association with the American University of Paris.
At its inception the school offered majors in: Communication Design, Fine Arts, Photography, and Environmental Design.
Education
PCA offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees in Communication Design; Fashion Design; Fine Arts; Interior Design and Photography.
PCA offers Master Degrees in Design for Social Impact (MA), Drawing (MA/MFA), Fashion Design: New Materials & Technologies (MA), Fashion Film & Photography (MA), Interior Design (MA), Photography & Image-making (MA/MFA) and Transdisciplinary New Media (MA and MFA).
Ideally suited for the mature student, the intensive curriculum of PCA’s Certificate Programs offer a non-degree option for those who wish to launch a career transition, refine a professional level design portfolio, or prepare for entering an MFA program.
Career
At Paris College of Art internships and professional projects are an integral part of our arts, design and design management education and through which students further their creative capabilities, are introduced to the professional aspects of their chosen areas of study, and develop into leaders in the creative industries.
Students begin preparing for their careers the day they select a professional college of art and design, and the Career Services office works in coordination with the school’s academic leaders to help all students fine-tune the skills needed to prosper in today’s most challenging markets.
Short Courses
Arts, Design & Architecture (21)
- Certificate Botanics, Drawing, and Printmaking
- Certificate Communication Design
- Certificate Contemporary Illustration
- Certificate Creative Flow
- Certificate Drawing for Portfolio - Skills Development
- Certificate Drawing from Architecture and Interior Design
- Certificate Fashion Design
- Certificate Fashion Illustration Through the Eyes of Paris
- Certificate Fine Arts
- Certificate Interior Design
- Certificate Introduction to Interior Design
- Certificate Paris Café Culture - Create your Artist Book
- Certificate Paris Fashion Film
- Certificate Paris in Black and White
- Certificate Photography
- Certificate Pocket-size Ceramics
- Certificate Sensorial Space Design
- Certificate Writing the Short Film - Intro to Screenwriting
Applied Sciences & Professions (7)
- Certificate Couture Craftsmanship
- Certificate Dreaming and Draping
- Certificate Fashion Editorial
- Certificate Intro to Jewelry Making
- Certificate Paris Through its Museums and Artistic Sites
Social Sciences (3)
- Certificate Paris - City of Literature
- Certificate Paris Through its Museums and Artistic Sites
Education & Training (2)
Business & Management (1)
- Certificate Communication Design
Humanities (1)
- Certificate Paris - City of Literature
Natural Sciences & Mathematics (1)
- Certificate Botanics, Drawing, and Printmaking
Student services
Held in the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, orientation is a comprehensive, week-long introduction to life as a student at PCA. Through a series of lectures, museum visits, dinners, walking tours, and other activities, new students have the opportunity to discover the French capital and establish themselves as temporary residents. During orientation, students register for classes, open bank accounts and phone contracts, sign up for health insurance, and most importantly, meet the staff, faculty and fellow students who form the school community.
Housing services
For students who are new to Paris, finding a place to live in Paris can be both exciting and challenging. The Student Life Office provides several different housing options, designed to accommodate students of different needs, preferences and budgets. Whether students wish to live in dormitory housing, in homestays or in independent apartments, Student Life provides individualized support to both incoming and current students in securing housing and settling in Paris.
Library services
- Bibliothèque Kandinsky, Centre de Documentation et de Recherche du Musée National d’Art Moderne – Centre de Création Industrielle
- Bibliothèque Des Arts Décoratifs
- The American Library Of Paris
Medical services
Students enroll for French Social Security and choose from one of our supplemental health insurance plans; the combination provides students with extensive health care coverage at a minimal cost.
Campus life
Located in the 10th arrondissement, the Paris College of Art facilities include: an amphitheater able to seat 200, a gallery space, student and faculty social spaces, a private landscaped courtyard, computer labs, fashion ateliers, printmaking studio, digital and wet photography labs, a sculpture studio for work in wood, metal, clay and more, and many light and airy classrooms with amazing views of Montmartre. The neighborhood of PCA provides easy access to the textile stores of Montmartre, one of the city’s best photo service stores just steps from our front door, many theaters, performing arts studios, and the offices of many creative agencies as well as a wealth of cafes and restaurants nearby.
Student clubs
An elected student council brings issues before the school administration, and organizes social events that consolidate this closely knit community that serves as home base to so many of disparate origin. During the term, excursions are organized to the nearby regions of Giverny or Champagne and beyond the borders of France to such cities such as Berlin, Bruges, London, Florence or Venice.
Paris College of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).