Current VCU Students

Applicants to the following programs must submit a visual portfolio: Art Education, Art Foundation, Communication Arts, Craft/Material Studies, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Kinetic Imaging, Painting + Printmaking, Photography + Film, and Sculpture + Extended Media.

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.

The following visual arts departments offer minors: Craft/Material Studies, Painting + Printmaking, and Sculpture + Extended Media. Please note that you may only apply for these minors after the completion of the Art Foundation Program. If your primary major is outside of VCUarts then you must first apply to the Art Foundation Program. A minor in this area will require the completion of 32 credits.

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 Required

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. Applicants will be contacted for their essay after submitting their 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 vcu.edu/courses 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 SlideRoom 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 through the VCUarts SlideRoom website.

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.

A minor in this area will require the completion of 21 credits.

Portfolio

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 be sure to complete the 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 Statement

While completing the online application be sure to complete the 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

1. 300 – 500 words
2. Provide a description of an original scene, with a focus on visual effects usage.
3. Scene Descriptions will be assessed by the following rubric: Plot, Structure, Creativity
   

Inspirational Filmmakers and/or Visual Effects Artists

1. 1. List up to 5 favorite artists or filmmakers that inspire the student to create Visual Effects and why

Five Cinematic Photographs which tell a narrative

1. 1. Photographs should be uploaded in the sequential order intended by the artist
   2. Photographs can be taken with any device (cell phone, digital camera, film camera)
   3. Photographs will be assessed by the following rubric: Composition, Lighting, Story, & Creativity

Major in Dance

Dance and choreography applicants are required to audition for the Department of Dance + Choreography faculty at the VCU Dance Center. The audition includes a ballet barre, modern center and improvisation.

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.
The Dance audition prompts will be available at the end of September and access to the Audition portal will be made available then.

Virtual Interview Dates

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 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 desiring a 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.

Note: No letter of recommendation is needed. If prompted to list a recommender, please use “Deidra Arrington, dwarrington@vcu.edu.”

Audition/Interview

Once your application has been submitted, audition recordings must be submitted in SlideRoom.  Instrument-specific requirements can be found here.

Auditions for Spring 2021 Change of Major applications for admission will be scheduled individually.

Applicants should prepare pieces of contrasting styles from the standard repertoire for their instrument.  Instrument-specific requirements can be found here. In SlideRoom, you’ll also select a date for your virtual interview with the music faculty.  Your audition recordings are due by your selected interview date.

Music Interview Dates and Audition Due Dates
Audition videos must be submitted by your scheduled interview date

Monday, November 30, 2020 – 3 – 6 pm

Tuesday, December 15, 2020 – 3 – 6 pm

Friday, January 22, 2021 – 3 – 6 pm

Friday, February 19, 2021 – 3 – 6 pm

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 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 online 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 online application, contact Susanna Klein at (sbklein@vcu.edu) to schedule an audition.

Minor in piano

After completion of the online 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. The Assistant chair, John Patykula counsels every student about the selection of appropriate courses based on the student’s competence and interest. After completion of the online application, students interested in minoring in music (instrumental) should contact the assistant chair, John Patykula via email (jtpatyku@vcu.edu).

Performance Auditions:

Your video audition will be submitted online through the VCUarts SlideRoom website. We cannot accept physical submissions.

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 for high school seniors to deliver successfully: Mamet, O’Neill, Pinter, Shakespeare, Shepard and Williams.

Once your application has been submitted, a link to schedule your audition will be sent to the email address listed on your application. The audition day can last from 3 to 6 hours, depending on the number of applicants. Further details will be emailed.

Interview Dates:

Spring Applicants

• Friday, November 6th, 2020 (only date for Spring 2021 applicants)

Fall Applicants

• Friday, January 22nd, 2021 – 1-3 pm
• Friday, January 29th, 2021 – 1-3 pm
• Friday, February 5th, 2021 – 1-3 pm
• Friday, February 12th, 2021 – 1-3 pm

Interview

All Theatre VCU applicants, including Performance, Design/Technology, Stage Management, will be interviewed by one or more faculty members. 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 application has been submitted, a link to schedule your audition will be sent to the email address listed on your application. The audition day can last from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the number of applicants. Further details will be emailed.

Interview Dates:

Spring Applicants

• Friday, November 6th, 2020 (only date for Spring 2021 applicants)

Fall Applicants

• Friday, January 22nd, 2021 – 1-3 pm
• Friday, January 29th, 2021 – 1-3 pm
• Friday, February 5th, 2021 – 1-3 pm
• Friday, February 12th, 2021 – 1-3 pm

Portfolio

Your portfolio will be submitted online through the VCUarts SlideRoom website. We cannot accept physical submissions.
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

All Theatre VCU applicants, including Performance, Design/Technology, Stage Management, will be interviewed by one or more faculty members. 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.

Once your application has been submitted, a link to schedule your interview will be sent to the email address listed on your application. The interview day can last from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the number of applicants. Further details will be emailed.

Interview Dates:
Spring Applicants

• Friday, November 6th, 2020 (only date for Spring 2021 applicants)

Fall Applicants

• Friday, January 22nd, 2021 – 1-3 pm
• Friday, January 29th, 2021 – 1-3 pm
• Friday, February 5th, 2021 – 1-3 pm
• Friday, February 12th, 2021 – 1-3 pm

Applicants are required to audition. You must prepare two contrasting musical theatre or pop selections. After completion of the online application students interested in minoring in musical theatre should schedule an audition with Head of Musical Theatre, Kikau Alvaro (klalvaro@vcu.edu). Auditions will be held at the end of each semester for entrance into the minor in the following semester.