Art Portfolio Review
Congratulations on your acceptance to Nova Southeastern University! As an incoming art and design major, you are asked to join art and design faculty on campus for a required portfolio review interview during an upcoming Shark Preview. This interview helps us determine your placement in art and design courses, as well as your eligibility for the Performing and Visual Arts Talent Grant.
Our art and design program aims to cultivate creative thinking and professional artistry. The review committee will assess your ability to demonstrate fundamental artistic skills, to think critically and creatively, and to act professionally
Portfolio Review Interview Checklist
See below for more info about how to:
- Schedule your Portfolio Review Interview
- Prepare Your Digital Portfolio
- Prepare your Artist Statement
- Review Evaluation Criteria
- Submit Your Portfolio and Statement
If you have questions, please contact Mario D'Agostino at mdagost0@nova.edu.
Keep an eye on the email address you used for your admission application. Within one week of your admission letter date, you'll receive an email with a personalized URL to an online portal where you can sign up for a Shark Preview. (We also encourage you to apply for additional Premier Programs in advance, as you can also interview for them during Shark Preview.)
Once you schedule your Shark Preview, you should reach out to Mario D'Agostino at mdagost0@nova.edu to schedule your Portfolio Review Interview.
Your portfolio should consist of 10-15 high quality photographs of works from your high school or college-level foundation courses and electives that demonstrate and allow you to speak to the evaluation criteria provided below.
Portfolios can be submitted as a single PDF, as a link to an online repository containing individual files, or as individual files (please limit to 1-3 MB per image if submitting files individually). Acceptable file formats include PDF, JPG, or TIFF, and all items should be labeled with the medium/materials used and the year executed.
The Artist Statement explains why you are interested in becoming an art and design major at NSU and what you intend to do as an artist/designer. It should:
- describe your specific artistic interests,
- explain how your artistic interests are reflected in the submitted artwork, and
- present your goals as an artist/designer.
Your portfolio, statement, and interview will be evaluated using the following criteria:
- Foundational and Technical Skills, as demonstrated by the portfolio’s display of design, use of color, observational/figure drawing, manipulation of surface/space, and the appropriate use of diverse materials and techniques.
- Critical Thinking and Commitment to Artistic Process, as demonstrated by connections among visual form, construction, and concepts, development of innovative and original ideas, problem-solving, revision of work in progress, and overall work ethic.
- Fluency with Historical and Contemporary Contexts, as demonstrated by historical knowledge and reference, respect for traditional approaches, and awareness of contemporary concerns.
- Professionalism, as demonstrated by timely and appropriate communication, knowledge of discipline-specific technical and safety concerns, and the effective presentation and documentation of work.