Maine College of Art & Design
5 Star Employer Ranking
522 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Year's Day Holiday | 1 January 2025 | Official holiday marking the start of the year, campus closed for rest and reflection. |
| 📅 | Spring Semester Begins | 13 January 2025approximate | First day of classes for spring term, welcoming students back to studios. |
| ✊ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 20 January 2025 | Holiday honoring civil rights leader, no classes, community events possible. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day | 17 February 2025 | Federal holiday, campus may have adjusted hours. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Begins | 10 March 2025approximate | Week-long break for students to recharge and travel. |
| 📚 | Spring Break Ends | 17 March 2025approximate | Classes resume after break. |
| ✝️ | Good Friday | 18 April 2025 | Observance, potential day off depending on calendar. |
| 🎓 | Spring Semester Ends | 9 May 2025approximate | Last day of classes for spring term. |
| 🥳 | Commencement Ceremony | 17 May 2025approximate | Graduation event celebrating student achievements. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day | 26 May 2025 | Holiday honoring military personnel, campus closed. |
| ☀️ | Summer Session Starts | 2 June 2025approximate | Beginning of optional summer courses. |
| 🗽 | Juneteenth | 19 June 2025 | Federal holiday commemorating emancipation. |
| 🇺🇸 | Independence Day | 4 July 2025 | U.S. holiday with fireworks and celebrations. |
| 🏖️ | Summer Session Ends | 8 August 2025approximate | Conclusion of summer term. |
| 🍂 | Fall Semester Begins | 25 August 2025approximate | Start of fall classes and orientations. |
| 👷 | Labor Day | 1 September 2025 | Holiday marking the end of summer, no classes. |
| 🌎 | Indigenous Peoples' Day | 13 October 2025 | Recognition of indigenous cultures. |
| 🎖️ | Veterans Day | 11 November 2025 | Honoring military veterans. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break | 27 November 2025 | Holiday break for family and rest. |
| 📅 | Fall Semester Ends | 12 December 2025approximate | End of fall term with finals. |
Are you planning on applying to Maine College of Art & Design next year? Then you need to know the important dates and deadlines for the admissions process at Maine College of Art & Design. You can check them out below…
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📝 | Early Decision Application Deadline | 1 November 2025 | Deadline for early binding applications to MECA&D for fall 2026 entry. |
| 🗓️ | Regular Decision Application Opens | 1 September 2025 | Start of application period for regular admissions. |
| 🎨 | Portfolio Submission Deadline | 15 January 2026 | Required for art programs, submit creative works. |
| 💰 | FAFSA Priority Deadline | 1 February 2026 | For financial aid consideration. |
| 📅 | Regular Decision Deadline | 15 February 2026 | Final application submission for fall 2026. |
| ✉️ | Admission Decisions Released | 1 April 2026 | Notifications sent to applicants. |
| ✅ | Enrollment Deposit Deadline | 1 May 2026 | Secure spot with deposit. |
| 🔄 | Transfer Application Deadline | 1 March 2026 | For students transferring credits. |
| 🌍 | International Student Deadline | 1 January 2026 | Earlier for visa processing. |
| 🏆 | Scholarship Application Deadline | 1 February 2026 | For merit-based awards. |
The academic calendar at Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) serves as the foundational framework for the institution's educational rhythm, guiding students, faculty, and staff through a year of creative exploration and artistic development. Located in Portland, Maine, United States, MECA&D is a vibrant art and design college that emphasizes hands-on learning in fields like painting, sculpture, graphic design, and more. The calendar is structured around two primary semesters—fall and spring—with optional summer sessions, allowing for intensive studio time and interdisciplinary projects. This setup differs from more traditional universities by incorporating extended breaks that align with artistic residencies and exhibitions, fostering a balance between rigorous coursework and personal creative pursuits. Historically, MECA&D's calendar has evolved from its founding in 1882 as part of the Portland Society of Art, adapting to modern educational needs while preserving a focus on community and innovation. Compared to larger universities, MECA&D's schedule is more flexible, with fewer rigid holidays but ample time for portfolio building and critiques. For students, this impacts everything from planning studio hours to coordinating internships in the arts industry. Prospective students should note how admission cycles integrate with the calendar, often requiring portfolio submissions well in advance. International students benefit from alignments with global holidays, though U.S.-centric breaks like Thanksgiving provide unique cultural immersion opportunities. Faculty use the calendar to schedule critiques, exhibitions, and professional development, ensuring alignment with grant deadlines and art fairs. Parents and families can leverage breaks for travel, while staff coordinate administrative tasks around key periods. Overall, understanding the MECA&D academic calendar is crucial for maximizing opportunities in this dynamic art environment. It helps in planning classes, preparing for exams, scheduling holidays and breaks, managing work schedules, meeting deadlines, tracking rival school events, coordinating family travel, and verifying historical dates. Whether you're a budding artist or a seasoned educator, this calendar is your guide to a productive year. For insights into faculty, check out Rate My Professor and consider rating your experiences to help others. Explore job opportunities at Higher Ed Jobs.
At Maine College of Art & Design, the academic calendar is meticulously designed to support a creative and immersive learning experience. The year typically begins with the fall semester, focusing on foundational courses and building momentum toward major projects, followed by a winter break that allows for reflection and independent work. The spring semester ramps up with advanced studios and culminates in exhibitions and portfolio reviews. Summer sessions offer concentrated programs for those seeking accelerated progress or specialized workshops. Traditions at MECA&D include community art events and critique weeks, which are integral to the calendar's structure. Holidays are observed in line with U.S. federal and state recognitions, such as Labor Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, providing brief respites that encourage artistic recharge. Unlike broader universities, MECA&D emphasizes flexibility, allowing students to plan around personal exhibitions or residencies. This overview aids in planning classes, exams, holidays, breaks, work schedules, and deadlines. For faculty insights, visit Rate My Professor and rate your professors to contribute to the community. Students and staff are invited to rate their college experiences. Explore career paths via Lecturer Jobs on Academic Jobs.
Planning classes at Maine College of Art & Design involves understanding the general timing of semesters to align with artistic goals. The fall term usually starts after summer explorations, diving into core studios, while spring builds on that with electives and collaborations. Tips for effective planning include early registration for popular courses like digital media or ceramics, and using the calendar to map out project timelines. Ratings from platforms like Rate My Professor can guide course selections based on teaching styles. This section helps with planning exams, breaks, and coordinating family travel. Invite fellow students to view and rate professors at Rate My Professor.
Exam periods at MECA&D are typically at the end of each semester, focusing on critiques and portfolio assessments rather than traditional tests. Preparation tips include building a strong body of work throughout the term and seeking feedback early. Study groups in studios enhance collaborative learning. This aids in planning work schedules and deadlines.
Thanksgiving break at Maine College of Art & Design offers a welcome pause in the fall semester, allowing students to recharge amid Portland's autumn scenery. Typically aligned with the U.S. holiday, it's a time for travel home, family gatherings, or local art explorations. Traditions might include community potlucks or sketching sessions inspired by Maine's foliage. Planning tips involve booking travel early due to the college's location in a bustling arts hub. This break is key for coordinating family travel and verifying historical dates.
MECA&D observes U.S. holidays like Thanksgiving, spring break, and others, providing breaks for rest and inspiration. Spring break often aligns with warmer weather, ideal for outdoor sketching or trips to nearby coastal areas. Travel tips include exploring Maine's art scenes during these times. This section supports planning holidays, breaks, and tracking rival school events.
Faculty at MECA&D manage work schedules around teaching loads, studio advising, and exhibition deadlines. Key periods involve grading and curriculum planning, ensuring alignment with student needs.
Meetings and grading at MECA&D are scheduled to foster a supportive environment. Staff can find job links at Higher Ed Jobs. Employees are invited to rate their employer experiences.
Historically, MECA&D calendars have adapted to artistic trends, with patterns showing consistent semester structures. Archives provide insights into past alignments.
Orientation and commencement are highlight events. Invite students to rate professors or view results at Rate My Professor.
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Year's Day Holiday | 1 January 2026 | Campus closed for New Year's celebrations. |
| 📅 | Spring Semester Begins | 12 January 2026approximate | Classes start for spring term. |
| ✊ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 19 January 2026 | No classes, community service opportunities. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day | 16 February 2026 | Federal holiday observance. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Begins | 9 March 2026approximate | Break period for travel and relaxation. |
| 📚 | Spring Break Ends | 16 March 2026approximate | Return to classes post-break. |
| ✝️ | Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Religious observance. |
| 🎓 | Spring Semester Ends | 8 May 2026approximate | Conclusion of spring classes. |
| 🥳 | Commencement Ceremony | 16 May 2026approximate | Graduation celebrations. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day | 25 May 2026 | Honoring fallen soldiers. |
| ☀️ | Summer Session Starts | 1 June 2026approximate | Start of summer programs. |
| 🗽 | Juneteenth | 19 June 2026 | Emancipation celebration. |
| 🇺🇸 | Independence Day Observed | 3 July 2026 | Holiday observance on Friday. |
| 🏖️ | Summer Session Ends | 7 August 2026approximate | End of summer term. |
| 🍂 | Fall Semester Begins | 24 August 2026approximate | Fall classes commence. |
| 👷 | Labor Day | 7 September 2026 | No classes for labor holiday. |
| 🌎 | Indigenous Peoples' Day | 12 October 2026 | Cultural recognition day. |
| 🎖️ | Veterans Day | 11 November 2026 | Veterans' honor day. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break | 26 November 2026 | Thanksgiving holiday period. |
| 📅 | Fall Semester Ends | 11 December 2026approximate | End of fall with assessments. |
