Art Portfolio Requirements
Embarking on your journey at Cornish means joining a vibrant community where creativity, exploration and innovation flourish. Our BFA in Art program is designed to empower the next generation of artists to create, innovate and inspire. Your portfolio is more than just a collection of works; it is a narrative of your artistic journey, embodying your vision, curiosity and dedication. If you are applying to the Art & Art History BA, a portfolio is not required for admission, and admission is based on Cornish’s standard application requirements.
What to Include in Your Portfolio
Submit 10-15 works that best demonstrate your artistic ability, creativity, and commitment. We encourage you to include a variety of work in your portfolio, whether you’re exploring an array of media or ideas, or both. Traditional, digital, and time-based media (video/film/sound) are all welcome. While the majority of your portfolio should be completed works, we also encourage you to submit items that can help inform us of your creative process and influences. This can include your sketchbook, process book, reflective journals, and works in progress. We want to understand how you are getting from ideation to execution. Examples could include:
- Drawings from Direct Observation: Include 2-4 pieces that capture the world around you through your unique lens.
- Artwork from Imagination: Share works that spring from your unique personal vision. These pieces may include observational elements as well but are largely original compositions.
- Finished Artworks in Any Medium: We want to see completed artworks that go beyond practice and ideation. Show us finished works that effectively demonstrate the best of your abilities.
- Process and Influences: Alongside completed works, we invite you to include items like sketchbooks, process books, reflective journals, and works in progress. These pieces help us understand your creative journey from ideation to execution.
Curation Matters: While technical skill is essential, we are particularly interested in works that reflect your unique ideas and perspectives. Therefore, please minimize works that are direct replicas of other artists’ creations, including cartoons, video game characters, anime, manga, or celebrity portraits. We want to see your voice, not imitations.
Portfolio Submission Instructions
Each file should be uploaded individually to your Redhawk Admission portal. To provide context for your artwork, please include the title, date, size, medium, and a brief caption for each piece. This information helps us understand the choices you’ve made for each piece and the intention behind your work.
Key Questions for Curating Your Portfolio:
- When did you feel most excited to experiment with new ideas or techniques?
- Which works showcase technical skills you are proud of?
- Is there a piece where taking a risk resulted in an unexpected success?
- Which works allowed you to explore subjects or mediums you are deeply passionate about?
- Did you revisit the same idea or technique in multiple works?
- Which pieces best express your unique artistic voice?
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Art Portfolio FAQs
Why is my portfolio important?
Your portfolio is a reflection of your artistic journey and potential. It allows us to see the passion, creativity, and commitment behind your work. Your portfolio is your story—an opportunity to communicate who you are as both an artist and a person. It should convey how your artwork embodies your perspective and aligns with Cornish’s mission to nurture artists, citizens, and innovators.
What should my portfolio include?
Your portfolio should include 10-15 pieces that showcase a range of media and ideas. We welcome work in traditional, digital, and time-based media. Emphasize pieces that demonstrate your technical skills, creativity, and personal vision.
Can I include works in progress?
Yes, we encourage a limited inclusion of works in progress, sketchbooks, and process books. These elements provide insight into your creative process and how you develop ideas from conception to completion.
How should I format my submissions?
Upload each work individually to our application portal, including a title, date, size, medium, and a brief caption for context. This information helps us understand the intention behind your work. It can also be useful to indicate if an artwork was from an assignment or an individually motivated piece.
Do you offer portfolio reviews?
Yes, we provide both in-person and virtual portfolio reviews. These sessions offer valuable feedback to help you refine your portfolio selections, organization, and ensure it represents your strongest work.
What if I don't have a lot of work to choose from?
Focus on quality over quantity. Choose pieces that best represent your abilities and potential. Remember, we’re interested in seeing your unique perspective and artistic journey, regardless of the number of works. Try to emphasize artwork that tells your story and avoid adding ‘filler’ just to get your portfolio up to 15 images. Show us that you know what your best looks like.