VA

Visual Arts Magnet Application

The Visual Art Magnet, created in 1984, provides an outstanding program for artistically gifted students pursuing an art-oriented career. VA offers 19 art classes including AP classes in Art History, Design, Drawing, and 3D Portfolio as well as access to programs at The Speed Art Museum, University of Louisville, and local galleries. During their four years at Manual, students will produce a portfolio of artwork suitable for application to a university or a professional college of art. Many students also graduate from Manual Visual Art and succeed in other non-art related careers that require creative problem solving, high order thinking and analytical skills taught in the Visual Art Magnet.

The following items are required to apply to the VA magnet:


A writing portfolio quality essay composed and written by the applicant in response to the following question:
Many visual artists can recall the exact moment when they knew they would pursue an artistic career. Tell us about your specific moment or experience that inspired you to apply to the Manual Visual Arts magnet and how that moment or experience directs you toward your future goals. (500 words)


A completed Activities and Interest survey
List your most important activities first, especially those that relate to your magnet choice. Be sure to include any leadership positions and record volunteer time in months or years. Include any work, volunteer, sport, club, awards, recognition, and anything else that helps us know more about you outside of school.


Recommendations
TWO recommendations from teachers, 


Art Questionnaire
A completed Art Questionnaire.


Three Art Exercises
Three Art Exercises completed by the applicant. Click here to access the Exercises and directions. Complete both Art Exercises, and include them with the application materials. For one of the exercises a 3 by 3 inch piece of black construction paper must be used. A picture* of these will be uploaded with your other materials.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Please ensure your uploaded artwork photos are high quality, large and well lit.  


Three Art Pieces for Review
Each applicant will submit a slideshow or pictures* of their own three favorite art pieces for review. Art pieces should display the student’s best artwork created during middle school, either in or outside of the art classroom. Some examples are: drawings, paintings, mixed media pieces, textiles, photography, ceramics and sculpture. Artwork drawn from exact observation, rather than copied from a photograph is encouraged. Any cartoons, manga, or anime should be ORIGINAL creations and not copied from another artist’s work. 

Please include the following information about your pieces: 

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Please ensure your uploaded artwork photos are high quality, large and well lit.  


IF YOU ARE A JCPS STUDENT:
We will obtain your attendance, transcript, school administered test scores and grades from JCPS. You do not need to provide this information with your application. However, if you have taken the ACT or SAT and wish to include your score report, please do so.


IF YOU HAVE NOT ATTENDED A JCPS SCHOOL FOR ANY PART OF THE LAST THREE YEARS, you must submit the following with your application:


Please note – Attendance is part of the application review. If your student has had a significant attendance issue in the last three years, you may include a brief letter/documentation to explain the absences.

Approved by Magnet Team (AA) 9/6/2023