Art Therapy Admission
The Visual and Performing Arts Department requires a portfolio review as part of the admissions process. Each student applying to the University as a visual arts major in a BA or BFA degree program must submit a portfolio of work before acceptance into the program is granted.
Application without a Portfolio
If you do not have a portfolio or have a limited portfolio, you can still apply to Arcadia University with the intent to join the program. Once accepted to the University, enroll as an undeclared major. During the 10th week of the second semester, submit a portfolio to the Visual and Performing Arts Department for evaluation and consideration for entry into the program. Additionally, you must take the four visual arts foundation courses: FA 102 Studio Art Foundations I, FA 103 Studio Art Foundations II, FA 104 Drawing I, and FA 105 Drawing II.
Meet with your adviser to receive guidance on how to build a portfolio. Failure to submit the portfolio by the required date will result in denied admission to the program.
Transfer Students
If you are transferring into the University as a visual arts major, you are also required to submit a portfolio. The contents of the portfolio should be selected to reflect your abilities in the proposed area of concentration but also should contain work representing your overall abilities. A transfer student without a portfolio should follow the guidelines for “Application without a Portfolio” above.
Change of Major within the University
If you want to change your major to visual arts, you are required to submit a portfolio as part of the change of major process. If you do not have a portfolio at the time of the change, you are required to submit one at the completion of the three (out of four) visual arts foundation courses: FA 102 and FA 103 Studio Foundations, and FA 104 Drawing I. Meet with a Visual and Performing Arts Department adviser to receive guidance on how to build a portfolio. Failure to submit the portfolio by the required date will result in denied admission to the program.
Portfolio Submission
About the 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 B.A. or B.F.A. 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 B.F.A. degree.
Type of Work
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.
Online Portfolio Submission
If you do not participate in one of the National Portfolio Days, you can submit your portfolio online at https://arcadia.slideroom.com.
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
- The size of the original piece.
Statement
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?
