Portfolio Preparation

We are pleased that you are considering applying to a visual arts college. As you begin to prepare for the application process, you will discover that the portfolio requirement is an important part of your application.

What Is a Portfolio?

A portfolio is a collection of your best and most recent artwork that highlights your art experience. No matter how long you have been creating work, if you have a collection of your own art, then you have enough for a portfolio.

A portfolio is a visual archive of your artistic accomplishments that demonstrates your ability and potential as an artist. Students are encouraged to present a series of images that represents current interests. Also, the portfolio should document additional work that demonstrates an awareness of formal visual organizational principles and experience with a variety of tools, media, styles, and approaches.

Every visual arts college has its own specific portfolio requirements. You should research the portfolio requirements for each school to which you are planning to apply.

See CCA's Portfolio Requirements.

How to Develop Your Portfolio

Start early. The more time you allow yourself to create, the more work you will have to choose from when preparing your portfolio. Ultimately, however, quality of work is more important than quantity.

Challenge yourself. Take advantage of resources available at your school, in your community, and on your own time. Supplement your high school art experience with outside opportunities. Challenge yourself to take advanced/AP art as well as art history classes. If your school doesn't offer art classes, consider your local community colleges and community center workshops as viable alternatives.

Maximize your summers. Summer programs are a great way to build your portfolio. The CCA Pre-College Program provides an opportunity for high school art students to study art or writing in an art school setting while earning three college credits. The program enables participants to develop strong portfolio pieces for college admission. Most summer programs offer housing and scholarship opportunities.

Include observational drawings. Most art colleges prefer that the majority of drawings submitted in the portfolio be derived from direct observation, which means drawing or painting from still life, figure models, or landscape. California College of the Arts prefers observational drawings rather than drawings from photographs or from your imagination (such as fantasy characters or anime). If you work in another medium (such as photography or video), be sure to include examples of your best work.

Explore ideas in your work. Strong portfolios typically include work that demonstrates solid technical skills and reflects thoughts and concepts. Consider including work that speaks to your personal experiences, your culture, and so on.

How to Get Feedback on Your Artwork

Get outside opinions of your artwork before the year in which you plan to apply. It is important to show your work to others and to ask for critiques with enough time to benefit from the feedback. This will help you be aware of your progress, as well as areas that may need further development. Teachers, other artists, mentors, and college representatives can offer this type of informal review.

Practice discussing your work. Don't be afraid to talk about your work and what it means to you. Select a couple of pieces to discuss. Think about when and why you created the work, what the work is about, and what media were used. Share what you like about the pieces, what can be improved, and which is your favorite.

Meet with college representatives. Admissions counselors meet with students on campus, visit many high schools and community colleges, and host special events for prospective students.

To make an appointment with a CCA counselor, contact the Enrollment Services Office at 800.447.1ART.

See Visiting CCA for our event schedule. We look forward to reviewing your artwork during these visits. Your portfolio may even be approved for admission!

Attend a National Portfolio Day. National Portfolio Day events take place all over the country, and California College of the Arts attends a majority of them.

At these events prospective students bring their portfolios to meet with admissions representatives from many different schools. They will review your work, offer guidance in the preparation and presentation of your portfolio, and provide information about programs of study, admission requirements, scholarships, and financial aid. This may be another opportunity to have your portfolio approved for admission on the spot!

For more information, see www.npda.org.

Portfolio Requirements

See Portfolio Requirements for what you need to include in the portfolio you submit to CCA.