The Arts High Visual Arts Department serves talented and motivated art students who are admitted on the basis of their potential in the visual arts. Students who enter Arts High’s VA Department demonstrate strong observational skills, imagination, personal expression and a commitment to developing as an artist. Arts High VA students are responsible, disciplined, involved in self-appraisal and self-criticism and able to work independently and in groups. A mandatory Foundation Program for Freshmen and First Year Sophomore students provides a solid base that is then built upon in following years with a diverse curriculum emphasizing exploration in various media. Evaluation for acceptance is through the Portfolio Review Process.
Portfolio Review Process
Portfolios submitted will be reviewed by a panel of artists who will not meet the student. While the portfolio is being reviewed, a separate panel of artists will conduct a short interview with each candidate. In addition to the portfolio presentation and interview, students will be asked to complete a 25-minute drawing assignment. They will be supplied with paper and a 4B charcoal pencil. THE PORTFOLIO must contain:
• No fewer than 9 and no more than 12 pieces; your sketchbook can be one entry if you have been working in one
• A variety of pieces; some drawing, some painting, some landscape, some figure drawing, etc.
• Artwork that does NOT exceed 30”x 40”. Work submitted exceeding 30”x 40” will NOT be viewed. Smaller works are fine.
• 2-D (two dimensional) work only. Sculpture and 3-D work may be represented by photographs ONLY. Work submitted in 3D outside of portfolio will NOT be
viewed.
• Original work ONLY; no copied work from preprinted materials
• No self-portraits or portraits of family members
• The following 3 Assignments A, B, and C; make sure to submit ALL 3 include as part of your 9-12 pieces. LABEL ALL ASSIGNMENTS CLEARLY on backside of artwork.
ASSIGNMENTS A, B, and C
A) PLACE:
Create an artwork about a place (inside, outside, nature, city, space...etc.) The place can be depicted from observation, from your imagination or from memory. (Any medium)
B) THINGS: Still Life with a Story
Create a still life with three or more objects. The still life may be done in drawing, painting or mixed media and should be done from observation. The objects you choose should relate to create a narrative (tell a story).
C) IDEA:
Create an artwork about an idea (personal, political, social or cultural). Please include a one-paragraph explanation of the idea you are trying to communicate through this artwork (any medium).
The Artwork in your portfolio may be created on your own, in school or with a private instructor. Please LABEL ALL ARTWORK IN PORTFOLIO in pencil on the back of work with the following information:
1- Created with Instruction (i.e. in class with a teacher) or
Created Unsupervised (i.e. done completely independently)
2- Created from Imagination or
Created from Observation
PLEASE NOTE: Work is NOT to be submitted loose but in an organized portfolio format. There is no need to purchase an expensive portfolio. A simple hand-made portfolio made of stiff cardboard, securely fastened, is adequate.
If you have specific questions regarding the portfolio, please call Leslie Karten, Department Chair, at (323) 343- 2559.
