Visual Arts Auditions

Part 1: Digital Portfolio Submission 

Please add all the required elements below for your portfolio.  

Submit 5-15 images on a Google Slide or PowerPoint file complete with the following: 

1. All images are edited w/ clean backgrounds, corrected colors, contrast and lighting 

2. All images are centered on a slide with as little background as possible

3. All backgrounds are black, white or grey to emphasize the work and not the slide

4. At least one (1) artwork must be an observational drawing: 

   • Still-life - One of the student artworks must be a recent still-life drawing.  This can be accomplished by picking a variety of objects from around your home, placing them in an interesting arrangement and drawing the still-life using only a pencil on an 8½” x 11” sheet of plain white paper.  Full value and no color for this artwork. 

5. It is highly recommended, not required, that within the student artworks a wide range of artwork is represented.  For example: Required still-life, Painting, Mixed-media artwork (paper-making, collage, wood and string), Ceramic, Sculpture, Creative drawing

6. Video or Animations should be uploaded to YouTube and set privacy settings to UNLISTED. This makes your video unsearchable in the YouTube database, but accessible if you provide a direct link to it.  Please include this link or embed this link on the slideshow. 

7. All 3d work is shown with at least 3 views, edited with lights taking directional shadows into consideration, and show a variety of elements close up and as a whole. 

8. All images are labeled with a title, dimensions and media

   • 2D - Height x Length/Width 

   • 3D - Height x Width x Depth

9. ALL IMAGES ARE CLEAR with no blur and all elements are able to be seen by the judges.

10. REMEMBER that this is to be representative of the BEST of your past 3 years. Getting an opinion from the art teacher at your school before submission is advised. 

Sample Portfolio

Part 2: Video Interview Questions 

Submit one continuous video answering the 5 question prompts below using appropriate art vocabulary when applicable. 

1. Tell us your name and your current school. Give us a brief overview of your art class experiences or any other experiences that have supported your artistic development. 

2. Explain why you are interested in attending the Visual and Performing Arts Academy as a visual arts student. What is your motivation and what do you expect from attending our program? 

3. What are some of your favorite art media to use and why? Explain what types of media you are interested in using in the future and why they interest you. 

4. What inspires you artistically? What are some themes or ideas that you are interested in exploring in the future? Elaborate on your ideas here. 

5. Discuss at least three of your best artworks and refer to slide numbers as needed. Explain what caused you to make these pieces including meaning, symbolism, and inspiration for your chosen works. 

Suggestions before you begin :

1. We suggest using a screen casting app to record yourself discussing your artwork as you show it. Screencastify or Loom works great for recording a small image of yourself while showing your portfolio slideshow. You may choose instead to speak directly into the camera instead of screencasting your artwork. New to Loom? Check out our Guide to Using Loom.

2. Choose a neutral background so we can focus on you. 

3. Use front lighting that illuminates your face. Either a window or other light source.

4. Check that your microphone is working and is adjusted so that you can be understood.

5. Make sure you PRACTICE your video ahead of time. You don’t want to read directly from a prompt but preparing ahead of time is important and will help calm your nerves. 

6. Check the quality of your video and sound before submitting. 

7. If submitting a link from a hosting service be sure you have set the viewing permissions so that anyone can view your video from the link provided.