NYC Specialized Art High Schools Admission & Portfolio Guidelines

Audition Info

• The 25 DOE high schools that offer audition programs all use the same common audition components across programs in the same arts discipline (such as Visual Arts). This means that if you want to apply to three Visual Arts programs, you only need to submit one audition.
• Students will be asked to prepare the same common audition components whether they are auditioning for a program in person or submitting materials virtually.
• It is most important that the schools to which you are applying get the clearest picture possible of your unique artistic abilities and talents. Remember, each school is looking for your potential. However, your present skills will grow and develop over the four years you will be spending at their school.

Uploading Your Portfolio

Photographs of 4 to 8 pieces of original artwork that include the following

(for additional support with this portfolio, you may view these visual arts portfolio resources(Open external link)

• Piece 1: A self-portrait with a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation.

(Observation means you draw yourself by looking in a mirror)

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  New York Art Studio Specialize Art High School Prep student work: Self-Portrait

: Here are some good examples of self-portraiture done by our students in the Specialized Art High School Prep Course. These two drawings show good foundational skills, including value shift, contrast, markmaking, and/or perspective. What creates a specific mood or atmosphere always comes down to how well these skills are executed. The drawing on the left has a more smooth and soft feel to it with thinner marks and rendering. In contrast, the one on the right shows rougher markmaking with more texture. There is good foreground-background contrast with a focus on the self in a more dynamic pose.

• Piece 2: A still life of at least 3 items, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation.
  

  (Observation means you draw objects placed before you on a surface in front of you)

  
  New York Art Studio Specialize Art High School Prep student work

    This still-life drawing has a nice triangular composition that flows from the top left to the middle right to the bottom left with materials with varying textures. When working on a still life, it is important to think about markmaking and how you would portray different materials. Focus on how reflection works and light/shadow hits depending on the texture.

• 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.
    

    
    New York Art Studio Specialize Art HS Prep student work

    : Another good example of an observational figure drawing! Human complexions and bodies are very different from objects, with a lot of curves and organic shapes that are very different from objects we encounter in daily life. This drawing shows a figure in a contained space with their back against the locker that showing the difference between the metal and skin in their texture and shades. The jean texture is also added very nicely with creases and wrinkles and good value shifts throughout the figure vs. the background.

• 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.
  

  
  New York Art Studio Specialize Art HS Prep student work

  : Charcoal is a great medium to create moods very quickly and effectively depending on the method of application. You could render, show the rough texture of it as is with marks, or use chamois to create ghost-like erasure. Therefore, it is also a great medium to play with to learn about positive/negative space, for that matter, as it is easy to add or subtract value. The drawing portrays a mundane scene with conscious, expressive gestures, with the blurry background in contrast to the foreground which is in much darker shades. In conclusion, Experiment with different grades of charcoal to play with softness, roughness, blending, and markmaking.

• 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!

New York Art Studio Specialize Art HS Prep student work

: In response to the theme, a Fantastic Sandwich, this student made a lenticular drawing that contains two different drawings at two different angles. Note how the student utilized form to play with the idea of the bizarre, unusual, and creative, adding more dynamic dimensions to the drawing. While foundations do come in important, also have fun and experiment with your idea, no matter how wild it may sound! New York Art Studio’s Specialized Art High School Prep Course will help you how to carry out your vision into concrete form with our one-to-one instruction.

Additional Material: Student Introduction

Select three pieces of artwork from your portfolio (Piece 1 and Piece 2 must be included). Then, upload a short video about the three uploaded pieces of original artwork. Discuss your choice of subject and materials, motivation, and influences. Your video should be no longer than three (3) minutes. However, If you are unable to create a video, you may upload a written explanation of up to 500 words (either is equally acceptable).

Students in our Specialized Art High School program have prepared for their admission through portfolio development, as well as audition preparation through mock-up tests in the program. Since admission for art schools like LaGuardia High School could get competitive, it is important to get specialized instruction that targets specifically what school admission is looking for. Talk to our consultant further to see what options could work for you!

Please CLICK HERE to check our Specialized Art High School page to learn more.

Contact New York Art Studio at info@nyartstudio.com or  (212) 279 1622 for more information

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