Portfolio GUIDELINES

Your portfolio and statement of intent are your opportunity to present your skills, experience, goals and why you wish to study with us. Admission to the Bachelor of Fine Arts - Studio Arts program is determined by a committee of Studio Arts faculty members who are professional artists with extensive exhibition records and teaching experience. The committee will review your portfolio and statement of intent to determine your readiness for the program.

In the statement of intent, we want to learn about your ideas and inspirations, your influences and your goals. This is your chance to tell us what you think about art and your place in the world as an artist.

The assessment committee looks for:

• Your ability to express ideas in writing
• The ways the program aligns with your personal and professional interests and goals
• Your interest in the theories and practice of historical and contemporary art

To complete your statement of intent, briefly answer the following questions (max. 150 words per question). You will enter your answers into a form when you submit your portfolio:

• Why do you want to study studio arts at MacEwan University?
• What personal attributes and interests do you possess that make you a suitable candidate for a career in studio arts?
• What are your goals after graduation?
• How did you hear about our program? Have you attended any events or visited us during MacEwan Open House?
• Do you have any background in art history? Are you interested in learning more about the history of art and situating your practice in a larger historical and/or conceptual framework?

Your application portfolio is an opportunity to present your creativity, skills, and awareness of art through the submission of 12 - 20 examples of your own recent work. Submit the portfolio as digital images or files to Slideroom with a mix of examples from the following categories:

• Required: 2D artwork in any media, such as drawing, painting, collage, digital imagery and photography, including some examples of works done from observation (e.g., drawing from real life as opposed to work copied from other artwork, anime or cartoon genres).
• Optional: 3D artworks in any media, such as sculpture, ceramics, crafts, installation and book arts.
• Optional: 4D or time-based media submitted in video or audio formats, such as video, animation, sound art and internet art.

The assessment committee looks for:

• A basic understanding of composition, colour, tone and perspective
• A variety of mediums and subjects
• Attention to presentation and organization

Take some extra time when photographing your work and submit photographs that best represent your original artwork. Here are some tips for photographing your artwork.

1. Use a tripod to avoid motion blur.
2. Make sure the lighting is adequate. Natural lighting is preferable—photograph in a bright room instead of using flash. Avoid bright spots of glare.
3. Set up your artwork with a neutral background like a plain wall or simple backdrop. Avoid clutter or busy backgrounds.
4. Photograph each piece individually. Try to fill the camera frame with your work.
5. When shooting three-dimensional work, take a few photos of your piece and then determine which best captures your work. Take a photograph from the front, above and side angles.
6. We recommend that you do not use your cell phone to photograph your work.

How-to develop and submit your portfolio 

This video was created by Studio Arts alumni and students with faculty guidance to provide information on how to put together a portfolio for application to the Studio Arts program.

• Video on portfolio development and submission

Online tutorials

There are many good tutorials on YouTube about how to photograph your work.

• Point-and-shoot camera tutorial
  
• Digital SLR camera tutorial

Online articles about photo resolution

• How to check resolution
  
• How to increase resolution