Art Portfolio High School
Art portfolio high school tips for students to have successful art portfolio applications at the college or university of their dreams! Learn 7 tips for creating an awesome art portfolio high school students can be proud of from artist Jackie Partridge. Learn the tips for creating an awesome art portfolio high school students can be proud of below!
Art Portfolio High School Student Tips
Art Portfolio High School -What is it?
An art portfolio varies from school to school and program to program but usually an art portfolio consists of 5-20 images or videos of your art and some kind of written material like a resume, art description, questions, essay, essay questions or interview. Art portfolios are a timely process especially if you are applying to more than one school (which I recommend). As you read the tips below the best advice I can give is to start early and read the requirements carefully! I also offer art portfolio reviews where you can get individualized feedback on your art portfolio-click here to learn more!
My Experience with Art Portfolio High School Students
As a teacher, I have worked with grade 12 students to help them with their art portfolio applications. See my 7 tips for your college/university art portfolio application below!
After receiving my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from Lakehead University I also completed teacher’s college. I graduated being able to teach grades 4-12 in Ontario before taking my Master of Fine Arts at Concordia University.
During my time in teacher’s college part of my placement included teaching art to grade 12 students. In the first term I helped students with their portfolios as they were in the midst of applying for university and college arts programs. I volunteered my time to help these students during my lunch break by giving them tips and ways to improve what they had selected to be in their portfolios.
I have worked as an art instructor at a private boarding school where I helped international high school students with their portfolio applications in art, graphic design and architecture programs. I have coached students and art teachers providing training and reviewing their portfolios so they can be confident in submitting their art portfolio!
Interested in going to an arts-based program. Have questions and feeling unsure about how to create an art portfolio that gets you accepted? Click the button below to join the waitlist for my art portfolio course. Be the first to hear about when it opens!
7 Tips for Art Portfolio High School Students and Teachers
READ THE REQUIREMENTS -AND MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THEM!
You need to know what they want and usually they are very specific!
Every university and college or even programs within the same school have different application requirements when it comes to their portfolios. Some schools are very specific asking for a certain number of pieces, certain media used or certain sizes of work. Some want you to use programs like SlideRoom. Some schools even have specific themes like "Make a work that is finished yet unfinished." This can make the process more difficult and leave students feeling overwhelmed and unsure -often overthinking their decisions and ideas. Make sure to read the requirements multiple times!
Show Your Creative Process
Most schools want to see your process work - they want to see how you think about your art and why you made the choices you did. It is a good idea to explain your artistic decisions in either your descriptions of your artwork or by showing some sketches/tests and rough work as part of your art portfolio.
Show Your Personality
The purpose of the portfolio is an introduction and a chance for your chosen school to get to know you and see if you would be a good fit there. You want to show your interests and possibilities you might want to continue to explore while in post-secondary education. You should include materials you like working with and show your artistic style that is unique to you! You can show your personality through the subject matter by making art on things that interest you.
Show Variety
You want the professors reviewing your portfolio to be impressed by your skills and see you as an artist who is versatile. Therefore, it is important to show that you can do more.
By showing variety you are showing that you aren't afraid to try new things and experiment with your artwork. It shows that you are open to growing and learning which is the whole point of college and university programs. Check out my YouTube channel for tips to make your acrylic paintings stronger! You can also improve your painting with FREE 16 page Guide!
Show Program Specific Techniques
If you are applying to specific programs like architecture or illustration you want to think about possible projects that might be studied in those programs. Once you have thought of those ideas you could try to include relevant pieces in your portfolio.
Details are Important
You need to remember that review panels are looking at portfolio after portfolio for hours on end. You need to stand out and be memorable. Make sure you consider details to set you apart.
Show Your Thinking
Usually you will be asked to submit written descriptions about your work- make sure they are detailed and informative. List your inspiration- if you did a drawing based on a building or place -state that research. You want to show your intelligence and critical thinking abilities in these descriptions. Make sure you edit your writing, stick to the word count and choose a consistent and legible font.
Take time to plan your written descriptions and do not leave them to the last minute!
I wish you good luck with your portfolio applications and the BIGGEST tip I can give you is to start early and trust your gut!
Not Sure Where to Go to Art School?
Access my FREE 30 min. video training by clicking here! You can watch this video training with your teen or send it to them. The questions in the video will help your teen to decide what art school/program is best for them!
More Art Portfolio Help
If you need ideas for what should go in your art portfolio - you can check out hundred of prompts I have created.
Interested in going to art school but unsure how to create an amazing art portfolio that stands out and gets you accepted? Click the button below to join the waitlist for my art portfolio course and be the first to hear about when the registration opens!
If you are struggling and are unsure about what to submit in your art portfolio or if you need help deciding between pieces - please fill out the form below -
A Bit About the Coach
Hi I’m Jackie Partridge! I have been exhibiting my contemporary art since 2012. I have received artist grants and awards and I have attended artist residencies. With this experience I have done my share in submitting my portfolio for numerous applications. In 2009 I first submitted my application for my undergraduate art degree. In this application I made an art portfolio of my high school artwork. I then created an art portfolio application for my Master of Fine Arts Degree in 2015, after I had completed my undergraduate fine arts degree and teacher’s college.
What People Are Saying About the Coaching
I was excited for the opportunity to work with Jackie!
The presentation from Jackie was very specific relevant information to prepare my students for applying to art schools. It gave us a checklist to follow and ideas we had not yet considered.
This presentation is a MUST for anyone needing information to better prepare students to apply to art schools. Not having gone that route myself, it was invaluable!
Jackie was not only knowledgeable, but easy to work with and super accommodating. I would highly recommend her!!
Britt, High School Art Teacher, California, U.S.
Please fill out the form below to contact me if you are unsure what pieces to submit in your art portfolio, if you want me to review your art portfolio or if you are still struggling with what to do or where to start.
I will respond to you within two business days!
If you are a teacher new to teaching art and unsure about how to support your high school students - contact me so we can set up a call - I am happy to help! 😊
If you are requiring more support with you art portfolio high school application to get you into the college or university of your dreams please contact me below! I am available for Zoom coaching sessions. I can review your portfolio and give feedback for you to improve. I can even offer advice with what pieces you should choose to submit with your portfolio! I can edit your work and make sure you are meeting all of the requirements!
I am flexible to book half hour or hour time slots. I will send you a recording of the Zoom for you to refer back as needed. Click here to book
Good luck with your applications!
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