Current VCU Students

Students who have completed Art Foundation requesting a major in Art Education, Communication Arts, Craft/Material Studies, Kinetic Imaging, Painting + Printmaking, Photography + Film, or Sculpture + Extended Media must have their arts advisor submit the change of major request to bypass the portfolio requirement for these majors.

Students who have completed Art Foundation requesting a major in Graphic Design, Fashion Design, or Interior Design must complete the change of major request and submit a portfolio in the VCUarts SlideRoom website.

Students who have completed Art Foundation requesting a minor in Craft/Material Studies, Painting + Printmaking, or Sculpture + Extended Media must have their arts advisor submit the change of minor request to bypass the portfolio requirement for these minors.

Students with current majors outside of VCUarts may only apply for the Art Foundation program which is a prerequisite for visual arts and design programs. You must complete the change of major request and submit a portfolio in the VCUarts SlideRoom website.

Art Foundation is the first-year program required of all visual art and design (BFA) students. The exciting first year provides an intellectually rigorous, studio-based experience in the fundamental issues of art and design. The program exposes students to a vast forum of ideas and concepts preparing them for a wide range of disciplines.

Portfolio

Submit 12 to 16 works of art that you have created within the past two years that show your promise in visual art and design. Present your strongest work and demonstrate your potential to develop a diverse set of skills and ideas should you be accepted into VCUarts. We prefer to see a diverse range of 2D and 3D media. Drawing from observation is recommended, while copying anime, cartoons, graffiti or tattoos is discouraged.

• Images may be submitted in the following formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF
• Images can be up to 5 MB each
• Videos may be submitted in the following formats: MPG or AVI.
• Video can be up to 250 MB each. Each video must be less than 3 minutes. The total maximum time for all moving images cannot exceed 5 minutes.

You will be prompted to submit your portfolio through the VCUarts SlideRoom website.

Writing sample 

Prior to applying to major in Art History, students enrolled in a major outside of the School of the Arts must complete ARTH 103, 104 and one additional ARTH course.

Art History applicants are required to submit a research-based writing sample that makes a clear assertion about a selected topic and cites published sources to support your assertion. The paper may focus on a work of art, an historical event, a sociological phenomenon, a literary text, or other humanities topic. Your writing sample should be no longer than 600 words, including any citations. You will be emailed a link to submit your essay after submitting your VCU Change of Major Request, or you can submit your writing sample here after you have completed your VCU Change of Major Request.

Majoring in Art History

Prior to applying to major in Art History, students enrolled in a major outside of the School of the Arts must complete ARTH 103, 104 and one additional ARTH course.

Minoring in Art History

A minor in art history consists of 18 credits, which must include:

• 3 credits ARTH 103
• 3 credits ARTH 104
• 3 credits from courses in list #1 (details can be found by following the link below)
• 3 credits from courses in list #2 (details can be found by following the link below)

The remaining 6 credits may be any ARTH course at the 200-300 level open to non-majors (visit http://bulletin.vcu.edu/azcourses/ for a list of all ARTH courses), however only one history of film class (270, 271, 370, or 374) can be counted toward the art history minor.

Of the total 18 credits, 9 credits must be 300-level courses. Only courses in which a student earns a grade of C or higher may be applied to the minor. A student may apply for the Art History minor after successful completion of ARTH 103 and ARTH 104.

Additional information for the Art History minor curriculum can be found on the Department of Art History website.

Cinema essay

In 300 words or fewer, introduce us to a character for a movie – either a protagonist or an antagonist. Express your imagination by developing this character using elements such as description, backstory, drama and dialogue. This character must be your own original invention, not an adaptation from a story that already exists.

Visual storytelling exercise

In order to give us a sense of your artistic personality as a visual storyteller, use the VCUarts SlideRoom website to respond to the following prompt: Create an original series of 5-7 still images using your smartphone or camera. Submit the individual still images in a sequence that expresses your imagination and tells a story or establishes a mood. Photographs should be uploaded in sequential order. Use cinematic elements such as composition, lighting, location, props, costumes, etc. Let the images speak for themselves while conveying your style.

You will be prompted to submit your cinema essay and visual storytelling exercise after completing your change of major request.

The minor in Scientific Illustration is open only to students majoring in biology or environmental sciences. Acceptance is based on a portfolio and application review.

You must complete the change of minor request and submit a portfolio in the VCUarts SlideRoom website.

A minor in this area requires the completion of 21 credits.

Portfolio

The portfolio should include the following:

• 3 images in 1 narrative sequence without words
• 2 b/w observational images
• 2 color observational images
• 2 images of the applicant’s choice (demonstrating media handling, design, narrative development, or relevant skills not specifically requested)

The portfolio should demonstrate both personal interests and artistic proficiency with a focus on accurate drawing from life and direct observation. (Copying from photographs, comics/anime, tattoos, etc., is discouraged.) Please include the year, medium and brief description. The images will be assessed by composition, proportions, light, texture and handling of media.

Suggested subjects include:

• Human figures, hands, feet, nature and animals
• Still life – objects arranged with purposeful lighting
• Representational imagery (such as plants, machines, etc.)
• Interior and exterior environments (utilizing accurate perspective)

Please note:

• Images may be submitted in the following formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF
• Images can be up to 5 MB each
• Videos may be submitted in the following formats: MPG or AVI.
• Video can be up to 250 MB each. Each video must be less than 3 minutes. The total
• Maximum time for all moving images cannot exceed 5 minutes.

Personal statement

While completing the online application, you must include a personal statement. In this brief statement, articulate your interest in the Scientific Illustration minor, including a detailed anticipated application of the minor to your primary field of study. Personal statements will be assessed by the following criteria: ability to follow instructions, comprehensiveness and creativity.

Five inspirational artists, scientists or concepts

While completing the online application, you will be asked to list 5 favorite artists, scientists, or concepts that inspire you to create scientific illustrations/media and why.

Accepted applicants will begin their courses in the following Spring Semester, as Spring Admits. Applicants should follow the Spring Deadlines listed above.

You must complete the change of minor request and submit a portfolio in the VCUarts SlideRoom website.

Personal statement

While completing the online application, you must include a personal statement. In this brief statement, articulate your interest in the Visual Effects minor, including a detailed anticipated application of the minor to your primary field of study.

Visual effects scene description

You must complete a 300 – 500 word-long visual effects scene description of an original scene, with a focus on visual effects usage. Scene descriptions will be assessed by the following rubric: plot, structure and creativity.

Inspirational filmmakers and/or visual effects artists

You must list up to five favorite artists or filmmakers that inspire the you to create visual effects and you must explain why they inspire you.

Five cinematic photographs that tell a narrative

• Photographs should be uploaded in the sequential order intended by the artist.
• Photographs can be taken with any device (e.g., cell phone, digital camera, film camera).
• Photographs will be assessed by the following rubric: composition, lighting, story and creativity.

Major in Dance

Dance applicants are required to audition for admission into the Department of Dance & Choreography. The auditionee will submit a short video based on movement prompts and exercises in improvisation, ballet, modern and West African, via the VCUarts SlideRoom website. An interview with the Dance faculty is also required.

Once your request has been submitted, applicants will receive an email from dance@vcu.edu with information regarding how to submit video auditions and schedule an interview. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please call the Dance department at 804-828-1711.

Minor in Dance

To apply to minor in Dance, you must have completed at least 8 credits of dance courses and have a cumulative VCU gpa of 3.0 or greater. No audition is required.

Submit your audition and schedule your virtual interview

A complete application must be submitted before you may submit an audition date.

Admission criteria

• Talent and potential as an artist in the field of dance.
• Prior training and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of modern dance and/or classical ballet techniques.
• Ability to demonstrate musicality and dynamic range.
• A healthy, physically conditioned body that is injury-free.
• Openness to new ideas and the ability to engage in creative problem solving.

About the audition

VCU Dance welcomes students with varying levels of dance experience to audition for our program. The audition consists of a warm-up, a barre, modern center work, an improvisation section and a short interview.

The following attire is appropriate: leotards, tights, unitards, bike shorts with a leotard or fitted top, leggings and appropriate supportive undergarments. No socks. No dangling jewelry. Hair secured away from the face. Please wear either ballet or jazz shoes in the ballet section. The modern, West African and improvisation sections are barefoot.

Fashion Merchandising applicants have no required supplemental materials.

Admissions Criteria

• Students from any department/major may request a minor in Fashion Merchandising, provided they have a 3.0 or higher GPA.
• Students intending to minor in Fashion Merchandising must apply and be accepted as seeking a minor in Fashion Merchandising.
• Students must see an advisor upon declaration of the Fashion Merchandising minor and once a semester thereafter.

The minor in sound design combines both technical and conceptual approaches to sound for video, film and stage. The minor is a collaboration between the Department of Kinetic Imaging and the Department of Theatre and includes relevant elective options from majors across the School of the Arts.

A minor in sound design consists of 18 credits, nine of which must be at the 300-400 level:

• 3 credits THEA 333 Sound Technology
• 3 credits KINE 346 Survey of Sound Design
• 12 credits from the list of elective options

Any VCU student may apply to the minor in sound design and acceptance is based on the review of the VCU Change of Major or Minor Application and a personal statement (see below).

Personal statement

After completion of the change of minor request, please email a brief statement (approximately 300 words) to kineticimage@vcu.edu, in which you articulate your interest in sound design, an instance of effective sound design from something you’ve seen (and heard) recently, any relevant experience in sound design and how the minor might apply to your primary field of study.

Audition/interview

Once your application has been submitted, audition recordings must be submitted in the VCUarts SlideRoom website. Instrument-specific requirements can be found on the Department of Music website. Applicants will receive a link to SlideRoom after submitting the change of major request. Once audition videos have been submitted, the music department will contact the applicant to schedule an interview.

The music minor is comprised of 18 credits distributed among the areas of music history and theory, ensemble performance, private lessons and music electives. All students must provide their own instruments (with the exception of piano). All students must be able to read music. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in order to be considered for a minor in Music.

Minor in Vocal

Applicants are required to audition. You must play a short passage–at sight–on the piano and sing the same passage a capella. After completion of the change of minor application, students interested in minoring in voice should schedule an audition with Dr. Kenneth Wood (kewood@vcu.edu). Voice auditions are usually held a few days before the beginning of each semester and at the end of each semester.

Minor in Strings (Cello, Classical Double Bass, Viola and Violin)

Applicants are required to audition. Prepare one composition or movement from the standard repertoire for their instrument no more than 10 minutes in length. You will also be required to perform scales. After completion of the change of minor application, contact Susanna Klein at (sbklein@vcu.edu) to schedule an audition.

Minor in Piano

After completion of the change of minor application, contact Dr. Yin Zheng at yzheng2@vcu.edu to schedule an audition.

Minor in Other Instruments

You will be asked a few questions about your musical experience and abilities during this online application. John Patykula, Assistant Chair of the Department of Music, counsels every student about the selection of appropriate courses based on the student’s competence and interest. Students interested in minoring in music (instrumental) should contact John Patykula via email (jtpatyku@vcu.edu).

Once your change of major request has been submitted, you will be prompted to submit a SlideRoom account to select a date to schedule your interview.

The purpose of the interview is to allow faculty members to get to know more about the applicant’s interests, commitment and communication skills. This interview is an important part of the application process. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their recent theatre activities, career goals, as well as personal goals and experiences. Please bring your prompt book to the interview.

Once your change of major request has been submitted, you will be prompted to submit a SlideRoom account to select a date to schedule your interview.

The purpose of the interview is to allow faculty members to get to know more about the applicant’s interests, commitment and communication skills. This interview is an important part of the application process. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their recent theatre activities, career goals, as well as personal goals and experiences. Please bring your prompt book to the interview.

Callback

Applicants will receive a link to SlideRoom after submitting the change of major request. Once audition videos have been submitted, the Theatre department will contact the applicant to schedule an interview.

The purpose of the interview is to allow faculty members to get to know more about the applicant’s interests, commitment and communication skills. This interview is an important part of the application process. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their recent theatre activities, career goals, as well as personal goals and experiences. Please bring your prompt book to the interview.

Prepare two contrasting (one comedic and one dramatic) one-minute monologues from published play scripts. Choose something in an appropriate age range that does not contain a dialect. Secure assistance in the preparation of audition materials.

Introduce the audition pieces by only the play’s author, title and the character’s name (background on the scene or plot is not necessary). Maintain a positive attitude, dress professionally yet comfortably and, most importantly – have fun!

We find that the following playwrights are generally overdone or are more difficult to deliver successfully: Mamet, O’Neill, Pinter, Shakespeare, Shepard and Williams.

Interview

Once your change of major request has been submitted, you will be prompted to submit a SlideRoom account to select a date to schedule your interview.

The purpose of the interview is to allow faculty members to get to know more about the applicant’s interests, commitment and communication skills. This interview is an important part of the application process. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their recent theatre activities, career goals, as well as personal goals and experiences. Please bring your prompt book to the interview.

Once your change of major request has been submitted, you will be prompted to submit a SlideRoom account to select a date to schedule your interview.

In SlideRoom, submit 12 to 16 works of art that you have created within the past two years that show your promise in visual art and design. Present your strongest work and demonstrate your potential to develop a diverse set of skills and ideas should you be accepted into VCUarts. We prefer to see a diverse range of 2D and 3D media. Drawing from observation is recommended, while copying anime, cartoons, graffiti or tattoos is discouraged.

• Images may be submitted in the following formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF
• Images can be up to 5 MB each
• Videos may be submitted in the following formats: MPG or AVI.
• Video can be up to 30 MB each. Each video must be less than 3 minutes. The total maximum time for all moving images cannot exceed 5 minutes.

Interview

Once the portfolio has been submitted, the Theatre department will contact the applicant to schedule an interview.

The purpose of the interview is to allow faculty members to get to know more about the applicant’s interests, commitment and communication skills. This interview is an important part of the application process. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their recent theatre activities, career goals, as well as personal goals and experiences. Please bring your prompt book to the interview.

Applicants are required to audition.  You must prepare two contrasting 32-bar cuts of songs that show off your vocal and acting range. At least one song should be from a published musical, the second may be a Pop/Rock selection.

Applicants will provide sheet music and a performance resume. Sheet music should be printed double sided, in the correct key, in a three ring binder. Sheet protectors are encouraged but not a must.

Students will be contacted via email to set up an audition. Auditions will be held at the end of the semester for entrance into the minor for the following semester.