Portfolio Review
The Department of Art and Design requires a portfolio review as part of the admissions process. Each student applying to the University as a Studio Art major in a BA or BFA degree program must submit a portfolio of work before acceptance into the program is granted. Portfolio reviews will be conducted during virtual National Portfolio Days and through our online submission platform, Slideroom.
In the portfolio review, faculty look for both an interest in and commitment to art. This is important since students will be contemplating a professional career in art if they pursue the BFA degree.
The type of work that could constitute a portfolio might include the following:
- Drawings from observation (still-life, landscape, figure, etc.) (*Highly recommended)
- Design and color studies
- Self-portrait (any medium)
- Prints (blockprints, screenprints, etchings, etc.)
- Paintings
- Reproductions, or examples of any designs or illustrations done for high school publications or other organizations
- Architectural renderings or drawings
- Photographs
- Images of Sculpture
- Examples or slides of ceramics or metals and jewelry
Portfolios should consist of 10-20 pieces, and must include some examples of drawing from observation.
All programs look for a range in media, evidence and skill in drawing from observation, composition and design skills, a sense of color, and evidence of a creative point of view.
If you would not like to schedule a meeting, you can submit your portfolio through Slideroom for review. See below for instructions.
Online Portfolio Submission
If you do not participate in one of the National Portfolio Days, you can submit your portfolio online.
- Please upload 10 to 20 high quality images of different works. Be sure to include some examples of drawing from observation.
- In the “Additional Details” section for each piece, please indicate:
- If there is a title,
- What mediums were used, and
- The size of the original piece.
All applicants must submit a short statement (250-500 words) which answers the following question:
Describe when and how you discovered that you were interested in art and/or design. Why have you decided to pursue it as a major at Arcadia University?
