Embodiments encompassing a series of compositions containing polymers of norbornadiene and maleic anhydride monomers which are useful in forming a variety of photopatternable structures are disclosed and claimed. The compositions are useful as permanent dielectric materials. More specifically, embodiments encompassing compositions containing a series of ter- and tetrapolymers of a variety of norbornadiene, maleic anhydride, maleimide and norbornene-type cycloolefinic monomers in which maleic anhydride is fully or partially hydrolyzed (i.e., ring opened and fully or partially esterified), and a photoactive compound are disclosed, which are useful in forming permanent dielectric materials having utility in a variety of electronic material applications, among various other uses.