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If you’re applying to an art program, you probably know that the application process will be slightly different. While you will still submit transcripts and letters of recommendations, the most important part of your application might be something that most college applicants never even think about: an art portfolio.
For students who are considering applying to an art program, the portfolio most often is the deciding factor in whether they are accepted. While grades, test scores, and letters of recommendation are also weighed, the single most heavily weighted portion of the application is usually the art portfolio. To learn more about the art portfolio, don’t miss this post.
In addition to the basic academic requirements, most art programs require applicants to submit a portfolio of their work within the fields of art and/or design. This portfolio serves to highlight their skills, technique, creativity, and commitment. Often the portfolio represents work produced over an extended period, so the artist’s growth and development are also evident.
The specific requirements concerning art portfolios vary from school to school and even within schools from program to program. If you are applying to a program in the visual arts, there is a good chance that you’ll need to submit an art portfolio. These programs might include programs like apparel design, architecture, art education, art history, ceramics, film, graphic design, painting, or photography.
To find out if you need to submit an art portfolio, you’ll need to check the specific requirements at each program you plan to apply to. Sometimes, even if you aren’t applying specifically to an art program, an art portfolio is still a good idea. This could be the case if you’re applying to a liberal arts school or other general studies school, but plan to major in visual arts.
There is no universal approach to assessing an art portfolio. That being said, most art schools like to see a student who demonstrates mastery of technique, versatility across mediums, techniques, or approaches, and creativity or personality through their art. This means that you should strive to compile a portfolio that highlights these aspects of your work.
Often times, art schools like to see pencil drawings included in an art portfolio. This is because these pieces specifically show technique and are a good example of your observational skills as well. Pencil (or charcoal) observational drawings demonstrate your ability to show shapes, tones, perspective, proportion, and shape. For the same reasons, some schools welcome sketchbooks or pieces of work in progress, as they shed light on your process and your progression of skill.
At the same time, your work should highlight your personal process and creativity. Art schools are not simply looking for an impersonal re-creation—instead, they want to see work that reflects who you are as an artist and how your process reflects that. There should be something unique about your subject matter or approach that makes your work stand out.
Finally, be sure to demonstrate your versatility. Use a variety of mediums, subject matters, and styles to show how adaptable you can be. Always choose your strongest pieces of work, but try to choose pieces that are not all of a similar approach.
If you think that you may be interested in applying to a program in the visual arts, you should begin compiling your work early. This means keeping careful track of your sketches and documenting your process as you complete collections or larger works of art. Because many art schools are interested in your process, you’ll want dated examples over a prolonged period that demonstrate how your work has progressed.
Most schools request 10-20 pieces of art, which will be difficult to complete in a limited period of time. The earlier you start collecting pieces, the more you will have to choose from when the time comes