Governor's School for the Arts
Let your art teacher know that you are interested in GSA!
Visual Art
GSA’s visual art program includes studio classes in three concentrations: (1) drawing and painting, (2) sculpture and ceramics and (3) traditional printmaking. Students will attend classes in all three areas throughout the program. Instructors and students discuss and critique their works-in-progress individually and in groups. Special workshops and demonstrations are conducted by distinguished visiting artists, and students view and learn about the work of these artists, as well as that of their own GSA visual art faculty. In addition to field trips to museums and galleries, discussion groups and presentations delve into art professions and careers, and students are coached in the preparation of portfolios for college applications.
How to Apply for Visual Art
- Submit your application, Complete the recommendation process, and Prepare & Submit your digital submission online when the application goes live.
GSA 2021 Applicant Guides Released
These documents will describe the application/audition process and criteria for GSA 2021, enabling applicants to start honing their materials. Click here to review last year’s applicant guides for context; GSA will also announce a schedule of informational presentations about the application process.
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
GSA Application Window Opens
Students will be able to start uploading their application materials. Read the applicant guides (referenced above) for more information; the entire application is virtual. All completed applications will be considered.
Sunday, January 10, 2021
GSA 2021 Application is due by 11:59 p.m.
Applicants are encouraged to upload their applications before this date; GSA offices will not be staffed over the weekend and we will not be accessible to answer questions after January 8th.
Friday, February 19, 2021
GSA 2021 Finalists Announced
All applicants will be notified of whether they have advanced to the final round of adjudication.
Friday/Saturday, March 19 & 20, 2021
Final Round Auditions & Reviews
University of KY, Lexington
All Finalists will attend an in-person audition/review if health guidelines allow; if auditions must shift to a virtual model, more information will be sent to applicants. If in-person auditions take place, finalists will only need to attend one day. Friday auditions run from noon to 6 p.m. Eastern; Saturday auditions run 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.
Friday, April 16, 2021
Announcement of GSA 2021 Accepted Students and Alternates
All Finalists will be notified of whether they have been accepted into the summer program. A list of alternates will also be announced.
June 27 – 17, 2021
GSA 2021 Summer Program at the University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY)
Your art form specific digital submission must include:
- Portfolio (9 works uploaded in video, image or document files)
- Portfolio cover sheet (document file)
- Photo documentation of 5 sketchbook or artbox pages
- Personal Question Video
1) Portfolio
Your Visual Art portfolio should consist of 9 total works.
3 Required Portfolio Pieces
- an object study (still life)
- a portrait or self-portrait
- an environment (landscape)
ONE of the required works must be in graphite pencil only.
Charcoal, pen & ink, colored pencils, or mixed media can be used to complete the other 2 required drawings.
Drawing from photographs may not be substituted for any of these three required submissions, they must be created from direct observation of yourself and your surroundings.
Digital Illustration works may not be submitted for the 3 required drawings but may be submitted as part of the 6 Remaining Portfolio Pieces.
6 Remaining Portfolio Pieces
The remaining pieces can be selected by the applicant, but should try to include a variety of mediums and subject matter—including 3D work if possible.
- If any of your remaining 6 portfolio pieces are derived from another work or photograph, please submit an image of the reference material, crediting the original artist (where applicable).
- If any of your remaining 6 portfolio pieces are 3D works, please submit up to 3 images from different angles. You may submit up to 24 images total for your 6 remaining portfolio pieces if necessary.
2) Sketchbook or Box
Please submit 5 photos of pages from your sketchbook or objects from your box. These items should be a current reflection of your visual journal which detail your brainstorming and creative process. Please note that your sketchbook or box does not fulfill the requirement of a portfolio piece.
3) Cover Sheet
The cover sheet should outline all portfolio pieces uploaded as part of your digital submission. For each work, please include the following:
- Title of Work
- Year of Completion
- Approximate Dimensions
- Medium
- A Brief Sentence Describing Your Role In The Work's Creation
4) Personal Question (1 video, max 90 seconds)
One additional piece to add to your portfolio & sketchbook/box is the personal question video. Please provide the answer to the following question in video form: Tell us something significant that has happened in your life and shaped who you are as a person.
Guidelines for Recording Your Personal Question Video
- Record your answer in a clearly defined interior space with a neutral background that is free of creases and breaks.
- Shoot straight on, leaving the camera in one location.
Media Submission Requirements for Digital Submission
- Save and name your files individually as “title of piece_ last name,” "coversheet_last name" and "personal question_last name". For multiple files detailing 1 work or idea (such as multiple angles of a 3D piece or pages of the sketchbook/artbox), please number your files as "sketchbook1_last name" or "title of piece2_last name".
- Upload each file separately and in the correct space provided.
- When uploading, be sure to upload any files or videos to your computer first and verify that the image is upright (not sideways). Make sure any video plays smoothly.
Additional Tips
These tips are suggestions. They are NOT eligibility requirements for GSA.
Include work completed outside of school/school projects when possible.
Incorporate recent work in your portfolio.
Be sure to pay attention to the presentation of your pieces. Include only finished work.
Your sketchbook/box can be filled with photographs, collages, cut outs, personal reflections and other kinds of writing or printed matter.
Diversify your portfolio with a mix of mediums
If you haven’t already, begin to think about what makes your work distinctly yours.