Ball State University School of Art
Open House and Portfolio Review
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Noon - 5 p.m.
Advanced Registration has closed. We welcome you to still
attend the event during walk-in registration from 12:30 - 1 p.m.,
second floor of the Art and Journalism building by room 225.
Due to the large number of people who attend this event, the individual portfolio review time may be towards the end of the day.
Portfolio Review
High School Seniors and Transfer Students
To pursue an art major at Ball State you must submit a portfolio of
your current artwork. On this day you can bring actual artwork to be
reviewed. Bring 10 to 15 pieces to this event. The School of Art
recommends at least three drawings from direct observation and all
artwork must be original. Please refer to the guidelines on the back
for preparing a portfolio.
High School Juniors
Receive feedback on your work as you begin to develop a portfolio for
art admission. Bring 5 to 10 pieces to this event.
Where is the Open House?
All events are scheduled in the Art & Journalism Building (AJ) on the
Ball State University campus. Registration and check-in will be held on
the second floor by the stairway. Classroom AJ 213 has been secured
for portfolios to be stored as a convenience for students beginning at
10 a.m. Students can be dropped-off next to the building. Parking is
available in McKinley Parking Garage and Emens Parking Garage (MP
and NP on the campus map) or in most parking areas. Parking is free
on Saturdays.
For more information, visit:
bsu.edu/art/openhouse
Schedule of Events
11:30 a.m.
Check-in for review time - Second floor by AJ 225
Noon
Welcome - Director, School of Art – AJ 175
Information on Admissions to Ball State University
Art Programs, Scholarships, and Portfolio Day Information Question and Answer Session
12:45 p.m.
Repeat of Information Session - AJ 175 (see above)
1:30 - 5 p.m. Presentations about the different Art Specializations
Visit the David Owsley Museum of Art and Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass
Parking and Campus Map: bsu.edu/map
Campus
Tours
Portfolios will be reviewed between 1:30 and 5 p.m.
A pre-assigned review time and presentation schedule will be given to
students at check-in.
The Office of Admissions would like to invite you and your family to take a guided tour of campus. The tour will begin at
10:30 a.m. in the Art and Journalism Building outside classroom AJ 213, where students can drop-off their portfolios. At
the conclusion of the tour your guide will escort you back to the Art and Journalism building for check-in.
Questions? Contact Barbara Giorgio at bgiorgio@bsu.edu or call Heather Myers at 765-285-5838.
Ball State University School of Art
Open House and Portfolio Review
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Walk-in Registration
Walk-in Registration for the Open House and Portfolio
Review is available for students who missed the
advanced registration deadline.
KEY DATES
For First-Time Freshmen
Deadlines for submitting your portfolio and scholarship materials:
February 20, 2016: Open House and Portfolio Review.
Advanced registration is required at bsu.edu/art/openhouse.
by Wednesday, February 17.
Please attend the Welcome Presentation in the Art and
Journalism building, room 175 at Noon. Afterwards you
can register on the second floor.
March 1, 2016: Priority deadline for admission
Walk-in registration is between 12:30 - 1:00 p.m. on the
second floor by AJ 225. An individual review time will
be given based upon cancelations or a time towards the
end of the day.
April 1, 2016: Deadline for regular admission
Due to the large number of people who attend this event,
the individual portfolio review time may be after 5:00 p.m.
and freshman scholarship consideration. Scholarship
materials must be submitted by this date to receive full
consideration. bsu.edu/art/scholarships
(no scholarship consideration). Portfolios received after
this date will be considered on a space-available basis.
We encourage you to apply early.
Submitting Materials
Submit any admission or scholarship consideration
materials via e-mail to artportfolio@bsu.edu.
Complete the information below and bring this with you to the event.
Student Name
Street Address
City/State/Zip
Phone Number Email
Major area(s) of interest
High School Student (graduation year)
High School/City/State
Transfer Student (indicate colleges attended)
Transfer Student (indicate term to begin at Ball State)
Number of Guests (not including yourself)
Parking is available in McKinley Parking Garage and Emens Parking Garage (MP and NP on the campus map)
or in most parking areas. Parking is free on Saturdays. Parking and Campus Map: bsu.edu/map
Please note that students currently enrolled at Ball State University are not eligible to attend this event.
Prep aring a
P or tfo l io
Students interested in a major in art must submit a portfolio to gain admission to the undergraduate programs in the School of Art.
Applicants should submit 10—15 original works of art for regular admission and for scholarship consideration. In preparation of a
portfolio the artwork selected should represent your current creative and technical abilities; for high school students this generally
means artwork completed in your junior and senior year.
What Should be in a
Portfolio?
All artwork must be original. Copies
of published works are unacceptable.
Primary consideration will be given to
originality and creativity.
Include the following in your portfolio:
Drawings: It is recommended that at least
3 drawings from direct observation are included as
part of your portfolio demonstrating a proficient
use of line and value to render form and space.
Drawing from observation means working directly
from a real object, environment, or person (not
from a photograph, magazine, or copied from a
reproduction of another artist’s work).
Design: This includes any two-dimensional artwork or
The best drawings are familiar objects (still life),
self-portraits, figure drawings, landscapes, and
interior/exterior environments. Observational
drawing is an important part of your portfolio and
should reflect some diversity in subject matter and
media such as graphite, charcoal, conte crayon,
pastels, colored pencil, or pen and ink.
graphic design such as logos, cover designs, and posters. While
craftsmanship is important and expected, the concept takes
precedence.
A painting from direct observation can take the
place of a drawing in your portfolio.
Digital Media: This includes digital imaging, digital video,
Digital drawings are not acceptable in this category.
Additional areas that may be
included in your portfolio:
computer animation, interactive art, net-based projects, and
digital drawings.
Painting: This includes oils, acrylics, watercolor, as well as any
mixed media pieces.
Photography: This includes black and white, color, or digital
photography. When selecting photographs consider idea,
composition, lighting, along with color or value. What makes
your composition creative and unique?
Printmaking: This includes work done in the processes of
intaglio, lithography, relief printmaking, serigraphy (silkscreen),
and monoprints.
Three-Dimensional Artwork: This includes work done
in the areas of ceramics, glass, fibers, metals, sculpture, and may
also include functional objects and furniture design.
What NOT to include in your portfolio:
Old work should not be considered, your most
recent work will usually be the strongest work.
More is not always better; in other words do not
include more work for the sake of having a lot to
show. Be sure to choose your best work.
Think quality over quantity.
Copies from magazines, comic books, animation,
CD covers, or movie posters. Remember work
should be your own. What are you trying to
accomplish, convey, or express in a piece or series
of pieces? Remember that work needs to be original.
Avoid overused, stereotyped or timeworn imagery.
ART
If you have taken a number of art courses, a variety of media should be represented. Pick your best work. Work can come
from classroom assignments, sketchbooks, workshops, pre-college programs, or work done “on your own” outside the
classroom. When selecting pieces for your portfolio in addition to subject matter, consider technique, concept, design,
composition, and works that demonstrate creative problem solving.