In visual arts, a portfolio is a collection of original artworks. Oftentimes students who are applying to schools and colleges with a visual arts major in mind are required to submit a portfolio in addition to the traditional application process. Generally speaking, a portfolio is a collection of 15-20 works of art that demonstrates a person's understanding of a variety of artistic mediums. For example: drawing, painting, photography, sculpture and maybe even digital artwork. This isn’t always the case though as some schools and colleges have different requirements and we’re hoping this guide helps you to understand the portfolio building and submission process better.

One of the most important things to know about putting together a portfolio is that it takes time. While many schools want to see recent works of art, this process can be started sooner than later throughout your time in high school. Even if you have a slight interest in a creative field such as photography, painting, architecture, graphic design, animation or sculpture, planning ahead will help ensure you’re building a portfolio to submit if and when that time comes. And don’t worry, if you feel like you’ve come to this realization later on, there are other suggestions in this guide to help get you to where you need to be.

Text Version of Portfolio Guide