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National Portfolio Day

National Portfolio Day is an event specifically for visual artists and designers. It is an opportunity for those who wish to pursue an education in the visual and related arts to meet with representatives from colleges accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.  Representatives will be available to review your artwork, discuss their programs and answer questions about professional careers in art.  High school students, parents, teachers, guidance counselors and college transfer students are encouraged to attend.  

National Portfolio Day serves a variety of purposes.  Most importantly, it is designed to help further the artistic development of young artists by bringing together experienced college representatives to review artwork and offer feedback.  We understand that some people make certain kinds of art more successfully than others.  Don't be discouraged if you see work that is "better" than yours.  A National Portfolio Day may be the first time you have seen so many people in one place who all share a powerful commitment to the arts.  The experience is a small taste of what a professional art program can be like.

National Portfolio Days are also about the exchange of information about your work, yourself, your college plans, and your concerns.  This is not an examination or competition.  The college representatives are pleased to talk about their programs with you and can be most helpful when discussing your artwork.  Your portfolio should include your best and most recent work, but it can also include works in progress, sketchbooks and tear sheets.  You'll hear many different opinions of your work.  Don't hesitate to explain how you develop your ideas and where you want to go with them.  No admissions decisions or scholarship awards will be offered to you at National Portfolio Day.  Some colleges represented may accept your portfolio as the visual portion of your application.  Other colleges have restrictions that prohibit them from making a definite portfolio decision at the time of your review.  We urge you to discuss your work with as many representatives as possible.

What should I bring to a National Portfolio Day?

Your portfolio can include finished pieces, work in progress, and sketchbooks. We ask you to bring your original artwork whenever possible. We suggest that you do not spend time and money matting or framing your work. Keep your presentation simple; the work itself is what is of interest to us.

 

Can I bring my work on a CD?

You may bring your portfolio on a CD or DVD.  However, some colleges may have a laptop to view your content, others may not.  It is in your best interest to bring your own laptop to assure that your work is seen by everyone.
 NOTE: There is no guarantee that any venue will have public acess to electricity, therefore make sure your laptop battery is charged and consider bringing an extra battery.

Do I have to register?

No, you do not have to register for any National Portfolio Day Event.  All Portfolio Days are free and open to the public, with a first-come, first served format.

NPDA Event Schedule 2009-2010

Sat, Dec 5: Vancouver, British Columbia, Emily Carr University of Art + Design
12:00pm - 4:00pm

National Portfolio Days are recruitment events sponsored by the National Portfolio Day Association (NPDA), consisting of representatives from accredited art & design colleges and universities from across Canada and the United States. National Portfolio Days help promote the artistic development of artists and designers by bringing together experienced art and design school representatives who review the work of prospective students and offer critical feedback about their admission portfolio.


This year the Emily Carr sponsored event will take place on Saturday December 5, 2009 from 12 to 4pm.  21 NPDA member schools will be represented from both Canada and the United States, including:


• Academy of Art University - San Francisco CA
• Alberta College of Art & Design – Calgary AB
• Art Center College of Design – Pasadena CA
• California College of the Arts – San Francisco CA
• College for Creative Studies – Detroit MI
• Columbus College of Art and Design – Columbus OH
• Concordia University – Montreal QC
• Cornish College of the Arts – Seattle WA
• Emily Carr University of Art + Design – Vancouver BC,
• Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising – Los Angeles CA
• Kendall College of Art and Design – Grand Rapids MI
• Maryland Institute College of Art – Baltimore MD
• Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design – Milwaukee WI
• Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University – Halifax NS
• Ontario College of Art and Design – Toronto ON
• Otis College of Art and Design – Los Angeles CA
• Parsons The New School of Design - New York, NY
• Parsons Paris School of Art and Design – Paris France
• Pratt Institute – Brooklyn NY
• Rhode Island School of Design – Providence RI
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago – Chicago IL
• School of Visual Arts – New York NY
Appointments are not required, but you must bring a portfolio and anticipate waiting in line.  Your portfolio can include finished pieces, work in progress, and sketchbooks.  Bring original artwork; we recommend that you do not spend time and money matting or framing your work.  Keep your presentation simple, the work itself is what is of interest.  If you wish to present digital work that requires a computer to view, please bring your own laptop battery powered computer.
National Portfolio Days are free and open to the public.

Sat, Jan 9: Seattle, Washington, Cornish College of the Arts
11:00am - 3:00pm

Colleges that will participate in the 2009 Portfolio Day:

• Academy of Art University
• Alberta College of Art & Design
• Art Center College of Design
• Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University
• California College of the Arts
• Columbus College of Art & Design
• Cooper Union School of Art
• Cornish College of the Arts
• Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design & Media
• FIDM/The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
• Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University
• Laguna College of Art & Design
• Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
• Maryland Institute College of Art
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design
• Minneapolis College of Art & Design
• Montserrat College of Art
• Moore College of Art & Design
• Oregon College of Art & Craft
• Otis College of Art & Design
• Pacific Northwest College of Art
• Parsons Paris School of Art and Design
• Photographic Center Northwest
• Pratt at Munson-Williams-Proctor
• Pratt Institute
• Rhode Island School of Design
• Ringling College of Art and Design
• Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
• San Francisco Art Institute
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• School of the Museum of Fine Arts
• School of Visual Arts
• The University of the Arts