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Student Life

The Campus

NCA is nestled on a wooded, grassy hill, high above Liberty Bay on a beautiful 26-acre campus that boasts a stunning view of the Olympic Mountains. Our upper campus, which houses painting and drawing studios, has a particularly amazing view of the Olympics from the back deck and high ceilings for large paintings. The lower campus offers outdoor patios and a student lounge for students to gather.

Flowers and trees flourish on our campus, as does a variety of birds and wildlife. On a quiet day you might catch a glimpse of our resident pheasant or a covey of quail. Early risers may even see a deer grazing in our fields. On campus, you can sit and sketch any of the many flowering plants and shrubs. Art supplies can be purchased on campus in the Atelier store. There are also art, book, and office supply stores in Poulsbo and neighboring communities.

The Area

Coffee shops abound in the Northwest, and Poulsbo is no exception. Students have plentiful options for lattes, mochas, and sketching. Movie theaters, restaurants, and cool shops are just minutes from the college.

Students can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the area, including swimming, sailing, skateboarding, rock climbing, cycling, and kayaking. It’s not far to Snoqualamie Pass for snowboarding or skiing, or to the Olympic Rainforest to hike or walk. Several local parks offer places to stroll on the beach and even camp.

The City

Our close proximity to Seattle allows students to frequently visit top-notch art museums and galleries. The first Thursday of every month Seattle hosts a gallery walk centered in the historic Pioneer Square district, and students can make the short trek across the Puget Sound by ferry to enjoy this art-filled evening.

Seattle offers a host of culture and entertainment: The Seattle Opera, The Seattle Symphony, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum, the Frye Art Museum, the Henry Art Gallery, countless theaters, the Mariners’ Safeco Field, Quest Stadium, Seattle Aquarium, Experience Music Project, and Woodland Park Zoo.