Maine College of Art (now Maine College of Art & Design) is a serious visual arts institution in Portland that doesn't waste time on general education fluff. You're here to make art, study art history, and develop as a creative person. MECA attracts students who already know they're artists and want faculty who take that seriously.
The curriculum balances studio work with liberal arts that actually matters to artists—art history, theory, cultural studies. You'll spend genuine time in studios, not just taking classes about art. Faculty are practicing artists, and the Portland location gives you access to a real creative community beyond campus.
This is a small school with a specific mission: prepare visual artists for real careers and graduate study. If you're looking for a party scene or trying to figure out if art is for you, look elsewhere. If you're already committed, MECA gives you the space to develop seriously.