Friday, March 9, 2012

Nurture artistic skills at OCAC


Are you passionate in arts and crafts? Do you want to pursue a career in those fields? If your answer is a big YES, then, Oregon College of Art and Craft is right where you belong.

The College was established in 1907 when Arts and Crafts Society’s founder, Julia Hoffman shared her knowledge and educated the public in the field of arts as well as crafts. She also taught the people in her community about the importance of those fields in everyday living.

Now, OCAC has become independent and private college that is accredited to offer degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts, Post-graduate, Collaborative MFA Program, workshops and youth and adult art sessions.

BFA program with Craft major is primarily designed for students who want to acquire technical skills and knowledge through involvement in the arts activities of the community, studio practice preparation, and generating business from studio work.

The program includes learning on the following areas:
  • Book Arts
  • Photography
  • Drawing and Painting
  • Ceramics
  • Wood Fiber
  • Metals
  • Foundations and General Studies of Crafts

On the other hand, program in Certificate of Craft is intended for students who are interested to obtain in-depth focus of a certain medium. It runs for three years. Mainly, it centers on the field of studio art wherein students are provided with proficient lessons and discussions. Through this program’s comprehensive preparation, students are given the opportunity to really concentrate in one medium without the pre-requisite of general studies.

For interested enrollees, you may visit OCAC’s site.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Save up for an Oregon College


Planning to let your child study in Oregon for college? It is important to prepare for his/her future. And you can do this by saving for a college education through a college plan. Fortunately, Oregon 529 College Savings Network exists to put up your dreams within reach. The Network offers annual state tax deduction, tax-free growth, and investment choices.

The Network has two kinds of college savings plan, each of this plan has a set of unique investment options and programs which provide federal tax advantages. The first plan is called “Oregon College Savings Plan” which can be purchased directly without having to use a financial advisor.

The Oregon College Savings Plan is apparently administered by the State of Oregon. With this plan, contributions or earnings used to pay for qualified higher education expenses will be made free from any state income tax in Oregon and the federal.

But contributions to the Plan are only deductible up to an annual limit. A deduction limit is indexed every year for inflation. For the past year, the allowable annual tax deduction is $4,240. This comprises all contributions made by the taxpayer to all Network accounts which include accounts in the Plan.

But the plan will help reduce the taxable value of your estate. Contributions and gifts from the account owner to the beneficiary, will most probably qualify for an annual federal gift tax exclusion amounting to $13,000 per donor, per beneficiary.

The plan offers more flexible features. Anyone can apply for the plan. If you’re the parent, grandparent, relative, or even just a friend who is a US citizen or a resident alien, you may open an account as long as you are at least 18 years old. You need not be residing in Oregon State to contribute for the savings plan on behalf of a beneficiary. But then, you might as well consider your own state’s plan first to avail of the tax advantages they offer.