BFA Portfolio Review
Overview
The BFA Portfolio Review, ARTA 2916, is required for students pursuing the BFA degree in the Department of Art & Design and should be completed after the student has completed 21 credit hours of studio courses – ideally during the second semester of the sophomore year of study. Students assemble a portfolio of existing art work and write a short statement to be presented during a thirty minute question and answer session. To assess where you are in the program, fill out a Transcript Analysis Form.
The review is conducted by three faculty members who assess the student’s strengths and weaknesses in order to determine if the adequate skills and understanding of art concepts, art practice, and art history are present to successfully complete the BFA degree. Students are scored in six categories including: Visual Organization (Elements ofArt & Color Usage), Execution, Media & Technique, Content/Concept, Craftsmanship, and Concentration/Media Area.
Students completing more than 10 studio classes will be considered “advanced” and are subject to higher standards and a greater expectation of artistic development. Transfer students should complete at least one semester at ETSU before taking the BFA Portfolio Review. A grade of “Pass” or “Fail” will be issued through committee consensus and delivered to the student at the completion of the review. A student may take the review a total of two times (1 initial,1 repeat). Students not meeting this requirement will be advised to consider a BA degree in art or change majors. Successful completion of ARTA 2916 is required for enrollment into ARTA 4916 Portfolio and Exhibition and must take place prior to the student’s final semester.
Prior to the review students should complete the following:
1. Students will complete a late admission form to ARTA 2916 signed at the time of the review.
2. Sign up for a time and room number in the Art Office, 121 Ball Hall
3. Assemble a portfolio of art work (Discuss choices with Advisor)
4. Write an artist statement including historical and working influences
5. Be able to discuss your work using formal vocabulary (Elements & Principles) as well as content and ideas that inform the work
6. Complete the attached “Transcript Analysis”
Day of the review students should:
1. Arrive early to set up work; rooms will become available 30 minutes prior to scheduled time
2. Students late or unready will not receive extra time
3. Display work around the room chronologically; tables and walls are available
During the review:
1. Students will read their statement and discuss the work
2. Faculty will ask questions specific to the evaluation form
3. After 20 minutes the student will leave the room and faculty will deliberate
BFA Portfolio Review Requirements
Students completing Works in Progress Review are expected to select art work corresponding to the list below. Students should consult their advisor.
Portfolio — approximately 20 completed art works
• 6 to 8 pieces — (1-2) works from each of the following courses:
ARTA 1110 2D Design
ARTA 1201 Drawing Fundamentals
ARTA 1140 3D Design
ARTA 1204 Color Theory
• 5 to 7 pieces — Works completed in a variety of 2xxx courses or above. These pieces should indicate a movement toward independent thinking and an ability to create work with related content.
• Sketchbook (multiple sketchbooks may be used)—a good sketchbook/journal has helped a number of people to pass the review! Don’t neglect this!
• Completed “Transcript Analysis”
Some Foundations work (ARTA 1110/1201/1140/1204) may be replaced with pieces from upper level studio classes; however formal skills (such as drawing from life) must be represented. 3- Dimensional work must also be included in the review.
Demonstration of greater maturity may be made in a variety of manners:
(1) Related Images - cohesiveness in the portfolio of work
(2) ‘Series’ of Images - pieces made with images or materials that depict a variety of solutions to a similar idea
(3) Preliminary Studies & Problem Solving – preparatory drawings, models, etc.
For more advanced work
(4) Originality & Inventiveness - demonstrating a greater sensitivity to craft or a specific development of technique
Artist Statement
Students must prepare a written document approximately 250 to 500 words for the review. The document should provide the committee with information regarding the student’s artistic goals as well as influences and ideas that generate the work. The artist’s statement should focus primarily on art work that has been completed in the 2xxx level or above courses. When describing pieces from Foundations classes (1xxx level) students should be prepared to identify their strongest formal skills (line, color, proportion, etc.) and have the ability to identify weaker areas. Students should name 2 or 3 artists whose work has influenced the student and/or whose work is similar formally or in relation to content. References to nature, objects, or other material influences may also be used in combination with historical choices. The statement should describe what the student is attempting to communicate and what ‘informs’ or influences the creation of the work.
ARTA 2916 Assessment
A copy of the completed BFA Portfolio Review Assessment Form will be available for students to pick up at the Art Office approximately two weeks after the review.