Beginning in 2025 Portland Community College (PCC) will be offering an animation degree that will be funded in part by $60,000 donated by Laika, an Oregon film studio.
In development since 2022, the animation degree program at PCC has been awaiting state approval that would allow the college to officially begin offering it. PCC has been offering a few animation classes as electives via the school’s multimedia program.
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Laika recently announced that it will provide $30,000 in each of the next couple of years to assist in the funding of a trio of new animation and stop-motion filmmaking classes, as well as the new motion graphics and animation degree. Additionally, Laika in conjunction with PCC will offer students in the program internships and portfolio reviews.
According to Laika, it is providing the money to PCC to foster diversity within the animation industry; almost half of the school’s student body is made up of persons of color.
Oregon and stop-motion animation have a shared history dating back to the 1970s and the founding of Will Vinton Studios. In nearby Hillsboro, Laika has created five animated films, all of which received Oscar nominations and is currently working on a sixth.
Nike co-founder, billionaire Phil Knight owns Laika; his son, Travis Knight, a film director and animator runs the company.
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