VCUarts continues to review applications until all spots are filled. Transfer applicants who submit complete applications by the deadline will receive a decision by: December 1 for Spring 2023 semester June 1 for Fall 2023 semester
Application Steps
Application instructions for prospective students of Art Foundation, Art Education, Communication Arts, Craft/Material Studies, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Kinetic Imaging, Painting and Printmaking, Photography and Film, and Sculpture + Extended Media
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. Your portfolio should present work from your prior institution and/or personal work created within the last two years. Your work must demonstrate technical ability in the fundamentals of drawing, design, color, 3D, and 4D (time-based) to earn transfer credit for the Art Foundation requirements. It may also showcase work for your intended major and should indicate your potential to succeed in VCUarts’ rigorous programs.
Present your most vital work and demonstrate your potential to develop a diverse set of skills and ideas should you be accepted into VCUarts. A portfolio can consist of a diverse range of 2D, 3D and 4D media or could include only one type of media.
Drawing from observation is encouraged, while copying work or character designs from another artist is discouraged.
Acceptable media in your portfolio can include any of the following, but is not limited to:
Ceramic, glass, metal or wood projects; clothing, furniture or jewelry designs; graphic design; illustrations; mixed-media works; paintings; photography; sculpture; sequential art; sound art; theatrical sets or costumes; videos.
Images may be submitted in the following formats: .JPG, .JPEG, .PNG, .GIF, .TIF, .TIFF, .BMP, .TGA.
Images can be up to 5 MB each.
Videos may be submitted in the following formats: .M4V, .MOV, .MP4, .WMV, .FLV, .ASF, .MPEG, .MPG, .MKV.
Video files can be up to 250 MB each, and each video must be less than 3 minutes.
Special considerations are being made regarding the portfolio requirement. VCUarts understands that due to COVID-19, students may not have had access to art classes, studios, summer programs, and other art-making opportunities. We highly encourage you to apply, even if you feel that you could not create the “perfect” portfolio. We are seeking students who show high potential for success once enrolled in an arts program. We will consider the nationwide lack of arts access over the past year during the application review process.
If you are a Virginia Community College System (VCCS) transfer applicant, your portfolio must show work from each VCCS studio course taken. Applicants should identify the studio course in the Slideroom description for each piece. We strongly recommend that you also include information such as the title, medium, dimensions, and a brief description of each piece.
Schedule a one-on-one meeting with a VCUarts representative virtually or meet with us at a National Portfolio Day for individualized feedback on your portfolio.
Please note: you may submit your admission application prior to submitting your portfolio, but your application will not be reviewed for admission until you have submitted your portfolio.
VCUarts will accept up to 14 studio transfer credits for Art Foundation courses as well as 6 Art History transfer credits in which you have received a grade of “C” or higher from an accredited college or university.
The Art Foundation department will review your transcripts to determine if you have completed the Art Foundation course equivalents. If so, your application and portfolio will be forwarded to your intended major department for further review.
If you do not have 14 credits of the transfer equivalents of Art Foundation studio coursework, your application and portfolio will be reviewed for admission into the Art Foundation Program. Upon admittance into Art Foundation, each studio course will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, utilizing the portfolio and course descriptions to award transfer credit for the Art Foundation studio coursework. Accepted applicants may need to provide additional work examples.
You may review Art Foundation requirements and course descriptions here.
