early college : location

Portland, Maine is a small city of 65,000 people situated in beautiful Casco Bay on the southeast coast of Maine.
Portland has clean air, safe streets, and magnificent natural surroundings. The College is adjacent to the
Portland Museum of Art, which features an important and growing collection of fine and decorative arts and
exhibitions of national significance. It is in the middle of Portland’s Arts District, home to over 25 galleries and
museums, and within walking distance to the Old Port area and Portland’s active commercial harbor. Foreign
films, gallery openings on First Friday’s art walk, ocean breezes, cafés and coffee shops are all part of the
Portland scene.

Maine College of Art (MECA) is a dynamic, professional college of art and design where a nationally-recognized
faculty, interdisciplinary programs, state-of-art facilities and leading-edge exhibitions give fresh vision
to Maine’s extraordinary legacy in the visual arts. The College was founded in 1882 and houses its studios,
classrooms, and administrative offices in three historical landmark buildings. Located at the heart of Portland’s
vibrant contemporary art scene on the state’s rugged coast, MECA educates artists at all stages of their creative careers, offering BFA and MFA degrees, a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Art Education, and community
programs for all ages.