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Why Prepare a Portfolio?
What needs to go in your portfolio?
What is an artist statement?
Getting feedback on your portfolio

Why Prepare a Portfolio?
Answer: Money, college admissions, and college credit!  While some only art schools require a portfolio for admission such as NCSU School of Design, most art scholarships are awarded based upon a portfolio review. Scholastics Competition is the toughest and most prestigious art show we participate in each year. 9-12 graders can submit work in many categories.  Seniors can compete for more than $1.5 million in tuition scholarships.  Eleven portfolios will be selected to receive $10,000 scholarships.  Any artwork that you want submitted for Scholastics must be "show-ready" by Winter Break or immediately when we return.  I´ve included more resources on art scholarships here.  You also may want to submit your portfolio for AP Art credit.  I´m working hard with guidance to offer the course here at SRMHS but you can still do it independently.  I recommend doing it while in Art III/IV or Independent Study but you can begin preparing as early as your freshmen year.

What needs to go in your portfolio?
I hear more teachers and jurors comments how students portfolios are weak because of a lack of variety in their work.  AP Studio Art Portfolio considers this breadth. Be sure to include examples of 3-dimensional sculpture and pottery as well as your 2-dimensional work.  You also want to show drawing from observation skills whether it´s a still life, portrait, etc- just not copying from a photograph. You also want to include artwork that shows your style and ability to focus- sometimes referred to as a series or your concentration. You want lots of artworks to select your very best 7-15 pieces.  Some schools will ask that you fill a space with actual work, some only accept slides, and a few will accept digital portfolios on CD-ROMs.  Don't wait until your senior year to begin thinking about a portfolio.  

What is an artist statement?
Many schools, Scholastics, and AP Studio Art ask for you to submit an artist statement with your portfolio that discusses your motivation, choices in subject, media, and style.  I begin artist statements in Art II and continue it through advanced courses to give direction to portfolio and independent work. Check out my handout for help writing yours or this web-site for pointers.

Getting feedback on your portfolio
Your art teacher will probably be more than willing to help you prepare your portfolio.  Feel free to call and talk to the college you´re most interested in applying.  Another great resource is National Portfolio Days where many college representatives to review your work and offer critique.  Don't be intimidated by seeing artwork that you feel is better than yours.  Seeing this much serious commitment to the arts is a taste of what it would be like to attend an art program after high school. No admission or scholarship decisions will be made at NPD but it's a great chance to get feedback about your work and your ambitions.

Good links for preparing a porfolio:

College Board´s AP Studio Art Web-site

Good example of an AP Studio Art Portfolio

Art Portfolio Guidelines

College Admissions Portfolios

Resources for
Careers in Art:

Scholarships

College Fairs

Transcripts

Art Schools/ Colleges

Portfolio Prep

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