If your child is interested in attending an arts high school, please have them join the Portfolio Prep workshop on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00. If for some reason your child is unable to attend, please see Ms.Testa for instructions on how to get started.

If you are interested in getting started, you will need to create a portfolio of 10-20 original artworks. This means no copied drawings of anime, cartoons or films. Your drawings should be 100% original works, from your imagination or from observations. You should also try to include multiple mediums, such as painting, sculpture and printmaking, not just drawings. Some portfolio prompts and ideas include drawing the contents of your closet, your shoes after a rainy day, your hands or your feet, making a sculpture of yourself out of household objects etc. Your artworks should show your potential as an artist as well as showcase your own unique style.

Additionally, your report card should reflect a student who is hardworking, attentive and committed. Arts programs typically want to see a GPA of around 3.5, so your grades do matter! Make sure you are keeping up with your work. High schools want to see that once they let you in, you can handle the work. Fine arts programs are a big commitment, so please do your research and understand what is expected of you.

I encourage every student who is interested in applying to arts high school programs to come to the weekly Portfolio Workshop and/or contact me at ktesta@schools.nyc.gov

You can also visit the NYC DOE Audition Information website (below) for further instruction.

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https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/subjects/arts/audition-guides

DOE Submission Information

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/high-school/high-school-auditions

• Piece 1: A self-portrait using a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation (from observation means you draw yourself by looking in a mirror).

• Piece 2: A still life of at least 3 items, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation (from observation means you draw objects placed before you on a surface in front of you).

• Piece 3: A figure drawing, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper. You may pose a friend or a family member in front of you. Draw the human figure from observation (from observation means you draw a live person). If you do not have access to a friend or family member, see the tutorial on figure drawing on this visual arts portfolio resources

  • Make sure you draw the entire figure and fill the page: do not cut off parts of the head or feet.

  • Draw your figure with realistic proportions.

  • Try to use value or lines to draw the folds on the clothes.

  • Include any observed details and draw the facial features.

  • Include some background elements placing the figure in a simple setting to make sure your figure does not look like it is floating in space.

• Pieces 4-7: Add 1 to 4 additional pieces to your portfolio. You may select pieces that were created using any material in any form. They may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional.

• Piece 8:If you are applying to Art and Design High School, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Art, and/or Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, submit this creative drawing. (This piece is optional for students applying to other programs.)

  • Using pencil and paper, draw a FANTASTICAL SANDWICH! Use your imagination and creativity – we want to see your wildest ideas of what a Fantastical Sandwich looks like to you. Consider for the drawing: What bizarre, unusual, or creative toppings does your sandwich have? Who made it? Who is it for? When creating your Fantastical Sandwich be sure to include a background and fill the whole page. Feel free to use colored pencils if you wish. And, have fun with it!