Department of Education, and is located at 1126 Pacific Avenue, Suite 101, Tacoma, WA 98402. NCAD is a private art college in Tacoma, WA.
NCAD holds essential the value and potential of each individual student making every effort to provide quality educational programs and services to support their growth, development and success. The Northwest College of Art & Design (NCAD) is an independent, degree-granting college that is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), a recognized accrediting age
Professor Nick Ogilvie on commitment in the classroom at NCAD
Topher Welsh, NCAD Motion Graphics Instructor - what is one of your favorite things about teaching?
Week 14 is close to a wrap and it’s hard to be believe that we are right on top of Finals week - and just a few weeks from welcoming a new Freshman class at NCAD in downtown Tacoma.
07/29/2026
As we approach the finish line in the summer semester, we look back at student work from finals in the Spring. Feast your eyes on the beautiful painting/illustration work of Mars Lafoy .vamp from Carli Hillman’s Advanced Painting class as part of our Illustration/Graphic Design Concentration pairing. Pure magic!
07/22/2026
Visit NCAD in downtown Tacoma. WA, a creative environment where traditional skills meet digital innovation. Learn how our thorough approach to visual arts and design education prepares students for success in the creative industries. We’d love to show you around our downtown Tacoma campus and answer your questions!
All aboard! The LINK in Tacoma makes a stop right behind Northwest College of Art & Design.
07/17/2026
Our July 18th Open House will feature several faculty members on hand to meet with you and answer your questions about NCAD. Carli Hillman will be in one of the studios working on one of her gouache paintings while Derek Gundy will be in another classroom working on an Environmental Design Freehand Perspective Drawing. Also have a chance to meet Lisa Garel and talk about UX Design, or Michael Wilford and discuss Web Design.
The Open House is 9am-1pm and you can easily register for your family to join us by calling 253-272-1126, or emailing [email protected]. Hope to see you on campus!
07/15/2026
Energy Drink Alert! NCAD Tacoma Senior Illustration & Graphic Design Student Gabe Ketter created this vivid redesign for the packaging of Drink FLRT energy drinks by The result is particularly fruity and visually stunning.
Our students prepare for the real world in our classes by focusing on the possibilities with REAL PRODUCTS. Gabe reimagined the four original flavors Sunset Squeeze, Guava Lava, Berry Tempting, & Strawberry Fling. Swipe to see all the designs created in the Advanced Illustration Class this summer.
Great work Gabe!
NCAD Annual trip to Wright Park for the Painting Sophomores!
| Monday | 8am - 7:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 7:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 7:30pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 7:30pm |
| Friday | 8am - 2pm |