Your Portfolio Review

The portfolio review is a conversation. It is meant to be an educational process focused on the exchange of information about you, your work, and your goals. It is not an examination or competition; there is no right or wrong. 

To learn more about Portfolio Review Day from the faculty reviewer and student participant perspectives, watch the video below.

Refer to our Virtual Portfolio Review Guidelines and ACE Portfolio Template for helpful tips on showcasing your work. Students are not required to use our slideshow template.

Below are some questions you may want to consider in advance of your review:

About your portfolio

• • What are your personal goals as a creative thinker and maker? 

  • What is your work about?

  • To what degree does your portfolio exhibit creative or personalized thinking and processing? Where is evidence of preparatory work and final pieces? Where is evidence of your original ideas?

  • To what degree does your portfolio reflect your life, your environment, and your culture? Where is evidence of contextual influences in your work (personal, social, cultural, historical)?

  • To what degree does your portfolio exhibit technical proficiency in processes of art-making? Where is evidence of craftsmanship or skill in handling tools and materials used?

About individual pieces

• • Why did you select the piece?

  • What would you like someone to notice about it?

  • What was something you did well in this piece?

  • What could you have done better?

Are you looking for course recommendations or books to read? Articulate your goal(s) and ask your reviewer!