Admissions Portfolio Guidelines for Art Program

Your art portfolio says a lot about you, your strengths and your talents, your abilities and your achievements.  Your portfolio reflects your enthusiasm, experiences, energy and motivation.  It’s who you are.  An art portfolio is required of all first year applicants and transfer students to the programs of the Art Department at Plymouth State University.  Students transferring to the Art Department from other departments at PSU are also required to submit a portfolio.  The portfolio is an important part of your application to Plymouth.

I.  Contents

The portfolio should consist of 10-20 items and should include work that clearly shows your skills, strengths and interests.  You can show work in a variety of media and techniques as well as show a group of works with a specific theme or focus.  For example, your portfolio could include some of the following:

• Drawings in any drawing medium from direct observation, from research or from your imagination
• Works in color including oils, acrylics, pastel, watercolor, etc.
• Three-dimensional objects, either functional or sculptural, in wood, metal, ceramic, plaster, etc.
• Printmaking including etching, intaglio, silkscreen, block prints, mono-prints, etc.
• Photographs, black & white or color, digital or silver based
• Video, film, computer or digital multimedia pieces on CD or DVD
• Graphic design, environmental graphics, package design, etc.
• Site-specific works such as murals, installations or performances
• Collaborative works (describe your role in the collaboration)
• Mixed-Media works

Your portfolio should to be sent directly to the Art Department (address below) at the time of application and will be evaluated and returned to you.  Evaluation criteria include creativity, skill with media, originality, composition and presentation.  Be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped mailer for the safe return of your portfolio.

II.  Format

Portfolios may be presented in one of three ways.  Whatever format you choose, be sure to include information on a separate page about each work including the media, size and date of completion.

Slides should be sent in a plastic slide sheet labeled with your name and address and sent to the Art Department when you apply to PSU.  Be sure to indicate the top of each image.

DIGITAL PORTFOLIO
You may choose to submit your portfolio in a digital format in addition to or instead of 35mm slides. Your digital portfolio should be Macintosh or PC compatible, on CD-ROM or 100 MB Zip Disc with the following formats: PDF files, Photoshop, PowerPoint, Flash, JPEG or GIF.  Web portfolios can also be reviewed; be sure to send your URL.  Video tapes (no longer than 10 minutes) may also be submitted. 

PORTFOLIO MAY BE DELIVERED PERSONALLY TO ART DEPARTMENT OFFICE, D&M 207
Call ahead if you plan to deliver your portfolio; plan to leave it several days.  We are sorry that we are unable to do personal portfolio reviews.

III.  Statement

The portfolio must include a written statement, sent with the portfolio and not to exceed one page, outlining the PSU major or option you are applying to and what you see as your future career in the visual arts. 

If you are not granted admission to the Art Department based on this initial portfolio review, but you are admitted to the university, you may choose to enroll in the University Studies program and take foundation level studio art courses.  You may then re-submit your portfolio of artwork from university art classes and, with Art Department approval, transfer into the department with a Change of Major form at the Registrar’s Office.

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

• For Fall admission, portfolios should be sent by May 1
• For Spring admission, portfolios should be sent by November 1

Send portfolios to the following address:

Cynthia Vascack, ChairArt Department, MSC 21
Plymouth State University
17 High Street
Plymouth, NH 03264

Questions?  Contact Cynthia Vascack at cynthiav@plymouth.edu or 603-535-2201