Maine College of Art (MECA), founded in 1882 and located in Portland, Maine, is one of the oldest art educational institutions in Maine and one of the only 18 private, non-profit, degree-granting professional art schools in the country. A member of the Alliance of Independent Colleges of Art and Design, the college strives to advance excellence in the fields of art and design through interdisciplinary programs and state-of-the-art facilities. The college is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. MECA conducts undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate graduate programs. Undergraduate programs are offered in Art History, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Liberal Arts, Metalsmithing and Jewelry, and Photography. Among the graduate programs is the Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts, which is a two-year program designed for emerging artists. Further, the Continuing Education Department of MECA offers open-enrollment courses for adults, youths, and children. Located within a four-block area, the campus features six buildings: the Porteous Building, the Baxter Building, Clapp House, the High Street Residence Hall, Holbrock House, and Portland Hall. The Porteous Building consists of student center, painting studio, computer lab, ceramics studio, and a library. Within its three levels, the Baxter Building houses the Graphic Design and Photography departments, two imaging classrooms, and an auditorium. Clapp House includes administrative offices, continuing studies offices, and conference room. The High Street Residence Hall is complete with 10 apartment units, each with a living room, kitchen, and shared bathroom spaces. Built in 1883, Holbrock House is a historic, three-story building. It is a two-wing resident-style facility, with a common kitchen, living room, dining areas, and a common studio area in the lower level. A University of Southern Maine facility, Portland Hall has a traditional dormitory setting and houses about 350 students from MECA, the University of Southern Maine, and Southern Maine Technical College. Also found on campus is the Institute of Contemporary Art — one of the finest art spaces in the Northeast — for the exhibition of contemporary art. Exhibitions and public programs organized here present new perspectives and styles in contemporary art.