What exactly is a portfolio? It’s simply a collection of your best pieces of artwork that you submit for review when you apply to an art program. Selections for your portfolio should express your interest and aptitude for a serious education in the arts. A well-developed portfolio can help you gain acceptance into a prestigious art college and increase your chances of winning scholarships in national portfolio competitions.

The pieces you select should illustrate diversity in technique and variety in subject matter. You may display work in any medium (oils, photography, watercolors, pastels, etc.) and in either black-and-white or color. Your work can include classroom assignments, independent projects, and pieces from your sketchbook.

Specialized art colleges usually request that you submit an average of ten pieces of art, but quality can be more important than quantity. The admission office staff will review your artwork and transcripts to assess your skill and potential for success. Usually, you’ll present your portfolio in person, but some schools will allow you to mail slides if distance is an issue. Hard work is the rule of thumb here since there is no such thing as a ""perfect portfolio,"" nor is there any specific style or direction to achieve one.

Tips for pulling your portfolio together:

Make your portfolio as clean and organized as possible.
Protect your work.

Author: Amy Ambler

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