You’ll submit a portfolio of artwork for evaluation through the AP Digital Portfolio at the end of the school year. All portfolio types (2-D, 3-D, and Drawing) are submitted digitally only.

The three Art and Design Portfolio Exams (2-D, 3-D, Drawing) consist of two sections: Sustained Investigation (60% of total score) and Selected Works (40% of total score). The Sustained Investigation section has two components: Images and Written Evidence. The Selected Works section has one component: Works. Portfolio components are scored separately, and each contributes to the final portfolio score, which is on a 5-point scale.

In the AP Digital Portfolio, you’ll need to submit these three portfolio components as final (Sustained Investigation Images, Sustained Investigation Written Evidence, and Selected Works) by the AP Program deadline in May.  

Note: You may submit more than one Art and Design Portfolio Exam in a given year, but each must be a different type of portfolio. You may not duplicate works or images among the portfolios and portfolios may not be combined. For example, if you want to submit a portfolio for both Drawing and 2-D Art and Design, you will need to submit two separate portfolios with two completely different sets of artwork, two different inquiry statements, and your AP coordinator must order two exams for you.  

For the AP 2-D Art and Design portfolio:

• Your work should focus on the use of two-dimensional (2-D) skills of art and design, including point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time, unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, figure/group relationship, connection, juxtaposition, and hierarchy.

• Think about how materials, processes, and ideas can be used to make work that exists on a flat surface.

• There’s no preferred or unacceptable content or style.

• Here are some formats you can submit: graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, fashion design, illustration, painting, and printmaking.

• Don’t submit video clips—they’re not allowed. You may submit still images from videos or film and composite images.

For the AP Drawing Portfolio Exam:
 

• Your work should focus on the application of drawing skills, including mark-making, line, surface, space, light and shade, and composition.

• Think about marks that can be used to make drawings, the arrangement of marks, the materials and processes used to make marks, and relationships of marks and ideas.

• There’s no preferred or unacceptable content or style.

• Here are some formats you can submit: drawing (analog and digital), painting, printmaking, and mixed media work.

• Don’t submit video clips—they’re not allowed. You may submit still images from videos or film and composite images. 

Section 1: Sustained Investigation

15 digital images | 60% of Score

You’ll create a body of work that demonstrates:

• sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision

• sustained investigation of materials, processes, and ideas

• synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas

• 2-D art and design skills (2-D art) or drawing skills (Drawing)

You’ll have to document in writing:

• the questions that guided your sustained investigation

• how your sustained investigation shows evidence of practice, experimentation, and revision guided by your questions

A digital, web-based submission process is used for the Sustained Investigation section of the AP 2-D Art and Design and AP Drawing Portfolio Exams and for both sections of the AP 3-D Art and Design Portfolio Exam. The AP Art and Design portfolios digital submission web application (apstudio.ets.org/apstudioart) is accessible to coordinators, teachers, and students beginning in November of each year.