What is Portfolio Review Day?

On April 25, 2023, from 12:30PM - 3:00PM admissions representatives from over 10 colleges and art institutions (and growing) will be coming to NWSA (gym) to answer questions about their programs, financial aid, career opportunities, campus life and most importantly, to give your students feedback about their selected art works and how to improve their portfolio so it will be a successful part of their application.  These review opportunities are most commonly held on their own campuses, or at large event spaces in another part of our city, or a neighboring city. We are fortunate that these colleges have agreed to travel here to see CMS students and meet them here during the school day.  Each review is individual, and their time with the admissions representative will range in time from 10-15 minutes.  

How do your students prepare for Portfolio Review Day? (for them to read)

Choose between 8-10 pieces of work that is meaningful to you.  If you have a sketchbook that you would like to share, that is welcomed, as are works in process and not yet complete.  Digital work can be shown when necessary.  Organize your work in a portfolio or large folder (taped cardboard pieces work great.)

Take time before April 25 to review the colleges online that are visiting, you can find the links below.  Many offer virtual tours of their campus.  Look at what each school specializes in, and offers degrees in.  Look at their list of graduates to see if you recognize any artists who went to college there.  Look at examples of their current Visual Arts students work online and on social media.  Review financial aid opportunities, career planning resources and summer programs that you might be able to attend while still in high school.  

Create a list of your top 4 colleges from the research you have done. 

How do I get the most from the day?

Prepare to wait in line to get your reviews, so plan accordingly for the time that you have.  When it is your turn, introduce yourself, your current grade, and your school.

Make sure you ask for your admissions counselor’s name and write it down.  Observe reactions to your pieces and take notes on feedback.  Ask for advice about how to make your portfolio stronger if you should choose to apply.  Ask if the counselor is available by email for additional feedback or questions going forward.  Remember you are being “interviewed” to see if you might be a good fit at this college.  Remember you need to interview the counselor as well, to see if this this college is a good fit for you!  This is your chance to learn about college opportunities that may not have even been on your radar before.   Thank the counselor for their time and move on to the other colleges on your list.  Consider following up with an email to thank the counselor for feedback and for traveling to NWSA/CMS-it’s another way to make a good impression and help them remember you!

Please encourage your parent(s)/guardian to attend if possible and give them as much notice as possible to be able to plan for the midday event.  Choosing to apply to an arts-based college is often a new idea for parents/guardians, and they need this information too.  Your parent/guardian should not lead your introduction and discussion with the counselor.  They are there to listen to and learn about the colleges while you talk about your work and ask questions about the college. If there is time at the end of the review, they can ask a quick question.   Please keep in mind the time limit with each counselor as there will be students waiting behind you.  

You will notice that the feedback on your pieces may vary from one college to the next.  Take note of what each college really likes-it might indicate what their art programs focus on.  Try to write down comments as you go, the day will be fast paced and it is easy to forget who said what!

Have fun and enjoy being able to share your talents and learn about what you may do with your art in college!

Attending Colleges/Universities/Art Institutes Include:

Savannah College of Art & Design  https://www.scad.edu/

Virginia Commonwealth University https://www.vcu.edu/arts/

University Of North Carolina School of the Arts https://www.uncsa.edu/design-production/undergraduate-programs/index.aspx

Winthrop University https://www.winthrop.edu/cvpa/

Carnegie Mellon University  https://www.cmu.edu/cfa/

Kansas City Art Institute https://kcai.edu/

University of North Carolina Charlotte  https://coaa.charlotte.edu/art-art-history

North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University https://www.ncat.edu/cahss/departments/visual-and-performing-arts/visual-arts-program/index.php

Winston Salem State University https://www.wssu.edu/academics/colleges-and-departments/college-of-arts-sciences-business-education/arts-humanities/department-of-art-visual-studies.html

Columbia College Chicago https://www.colum.edu/academics/majors-and-programs

Link to registration form: https://form.123formbuilder.com/6356533/art-exhibition-2023

Creative micro or regular internships. The organization has over 30 businesses in Charlotte that are interested in hiring students for creative PAID work that can help guide you to possible work paths before you enter college. 

The team at D’Skillz will be at Hough on February 15 during 3rd block (B day) in C103. During this time they will give more information about the opportunity and how your work/process could turn into paid internships of all shapes and sizes. Interested students will participate in a “sprint” during the month of March that gives you a series of challenges to see if you are prepared for the internships. 

The centerpiece of National School Bus Safety Week is the Poster Contest. Thousands of school districts in over 40 states participate in local and state-level competitions to select artwork that depicts school bus safety-related themes and encourages and promotes school bus safety. The winning posters are used to promote safer school transportation for everyone.

March 15, 2023

more info

biannual global contemporary art prize to discover, recognize and give long-term support to a future generation of artists.  Must be 18 by April 30 deadline.

more info

Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. is honored to announce the 2022 Congressional Art Competition, which is open to Charlotte-Mecklenburg high school students (9th-12th grade) who reside and/or attend school in the 12th Congressional District. 

Students are encouraged to submit their best artwork. The winner from the 12th Congressional District will have their art displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one full year alongside the winning pieces from Congressional districts across the country. In addition, the winner will also receive two round-trip tickets to Washington, D.C. to attend the annual awards ceremony.

Similar to years past, there will be a reception for all students who submitted their artwork where the winner will be announced.

This year, we ask that all artwork be matted or framed. Artwork that is not matted or framed will not be accepted. All students who are interested in participating must submit their work via email to Avery Bonifati at Avery.Bonifati@mail.house.gov. At this time, the deadline to submit will be announced at a later date.

If you know of any high school students, please share this information with them and have them email Avery Bonifati at Avery.Bonifati@mail.house.gov. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me at the same email.

Thank you and we look forward seeing all the talented artwork!

 LINK TO FORMS

Avery Bonifati, JM| District Liaison

Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12)

801 E. Morehead Street, Suite 150

Charlotte, NC 28202

Phone: 704-344-9950

Fax: 704-344-9971

Email: Avery.Bonifati@mail.house.gov

Please sign up for email updates by clicking here.

McColl Center for Art + Innovation’s New Professionals High School Internship is designed to give high school juniors and seniors who are interested in the arts an opportunity to explore professions in the in the field. 

The New Professionals High School Internship is designed to provide a diverse group of students a real, behind the scenes look at the various careers available in the arts. Participants will have the opportunity to be involved in a variety of tasks supporting the operations of a contemporary arts space and artist residency program. Interns will work with staff in various departments at McColl Center, and get real-life, professional experience.

Internships are offered to high school juniors and seniors who are interested in getting hands-on experience in the arts and residency programs. Ideal candidates are interested in pursuing a career in the arts. This internship program is also designed to give the cohort opportunities to share ideas, grow and learn together.  

June 7–July 30, 2021 

Tuesdays–Fridays, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.  

Deadline to apply

May 12, 2021

More information

https://mccollcenter.org/2021/04/new-professionals-high-school-internship-sponsored-by-bank-of-america/

ART POP -Billboard contest

Open to seniors continuing in the arts. $1500 scholarship and your artwork on a billboard in Charlotte. 

DEADLINE 10/16

Student Leadership and Voice for the Arts in CMS.

Link to apply 

High Point University’s 2022 Emerging Artists Invitational 

submission portal will open on Friday, September 2, and students can submit work made at any time during the past two years.

November 1 through November 5, 2022 at the Sechrest Gallery on High Point’s beautiful campus.

View or download the prospectus for this juried show and please note that cash prizes will be given to students!

To accompany the exhibition, on Saturday, November 5 we invite students whose work was chosen for inclusion to join us on campus for an exhibition reception and a slate of other fun activities (studio tours, portfolio reviews, hands-on workshops). We're excited to welcome young artists to our campus, and would love your students to take part.

Scholastic Art and Writing Competition

This year's theme is "I Will Change the World By..." and students can submit their art in the following categories:  Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, and Special Artists (students with disabilities). Their submission(s) could win them Target gift cards, awards, and recognition. 

1. PTSA Reflections Theme:  “I Will Change the World By…”

2. Deadline:  11:59 p.m. November 5, 2021

3. Entry instructions and official rules are available at bit.ly/HoughReflections. Students simply submit their entry forms, artist statements, and artwork electronically all in one place.
   
   

4. Artists may submit unlimited entries in any of the following six categories:

• Dance Choreography

• Film Production

• Literature

• Music Composition

• Photography

• Visual Arts

5. There is also a category for Special Artists, students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA. They may enter in one of two ways: in the grade division (primary, middle or high school) most closely aligned to their functional abilities or in the Special Artist Division, which welcomes all grades and abilities and offers non-artistic accommodations.

6. The top three winners from Hough will receive Target gift cards (1st Place = $75; 2nd Place = $50; 3rd Place = $25), and school-wide recognition! As well, students may submit their work to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition (deadline is in December).

7. If you have any questions about the Reflections contest, please feel free to email us at HoughReflections@gmail.com.