Portfolio Review Day (Virtual)

Saturday, November 11, 2023
9:00am - 3:00pm

via Zoom

Portfolio Review Day is a chance for high school age artists to meet with Visual Art Representatives from universities, colleges, and art schools across the state. Over the years this program has helped students to be accepted into various art programs as well as receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in art scholarships and financial aid.

At Portfolio Day, high school juniors and seniors have the opportunity to receive critical feedback regarding their work and portfolios, begin to expand their professional network with different universities, and plan for their future. Professors and artists from institutions across the state come together to network and reflect on the role of visuals art in higher education, and vice versa.

This year's Portfolio Review Day will be virtual and conducted via Zoom. 

For students who do not have at-home access to Zoom, please contact Chloe Hunter at CHunter@springville.org. A limited number of laptops will be available at the Museum on November 11th for students to use for their appointments. Students who plan to come to the Museum for their Zoom meeting must coordinate with Chloe before November 3rd -- no walk-ins will be available for Museum laptops. 

To Make An Appointment

The appointment request form is now open for high school seniors. The form will open for high school juniors on Monday, October 23rd, and will close for all students on Thursday, November 2nd at 11:59pm. Please contact Chloe Hunter at Chunter@springville.org or (801) 491-5717.

Public Appointment Schedule

Below is a PDF version of each institution's schedule and current bookings. Updated 11/1/23.

What to Expect

Click to View or Download our Portfolio Review Day Preparation Guide. This includes helpful info about what to expect and information about the schools participating :


These are some of the schools that have participated in the past, the final list for this year will be updated before registration opens:  
 
Brigham Young University – Department of Art
Brigham Young University – Department of Design
Salt Lake Community College
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Snow College
Southern Utah University
Southern Virginia University
University of Utah
USU Eastern - Price Campus
Utah State University
Utah Tech University (formerly Dixie State University)
Utah Valley University
Weber State University
Westminster College 
 
Be Open-Minded
This is only one step in the process of becoming a professional artist. You will get lots of feedback at this event; it is up to you to choose what advice you will follow and what advice you will disregard. Be aware that schools will not be offering on-the-spot scholarships to attendees. These interviews can help you, however, to connect with people who you might be working within college programs, and who may have an influential voice on scholarship decision committees down the road.


Frequently Asked Questions
 
What are they looking for in me as an artist?
Have an idea of where you want to go with your work.”
                -Morgan Nelson, Hein Academy of Art

Show us work that represents who you are as an artist, and not work that your teachers guided.
                -Jessica Curran, Salt Lake Community College

The ability to self-edit and be critical of ones work. Being able to speak about the ideas behind the work are key. I don't want to hear 'My teacher assigned me to do this...' I want to hear why they were intrigued by the idea, and about what made it important to them."
                -Jeffrey Hanson, Southern Utah University

 What should I include in my portfolio?
Bring only your best and highest quality work. Only high quality reproductions if you do not bring originals.”
               -Adam Larsen, Snow College

Sketchbooks! Professors love to see the thinking process.”
                -Danielle Tolman, Snow College

Present more original work. References are okay, but only if I see a student activity seeking to study.”
                -Katie Liddiard, Center for Academic Study

Passion and determined effort.
                -Ryan Brown, Center for Academic Study

I want to see more drawings from life and a personal area of focus.
                -Peter Everett, Brigham Young University

Diverse in genres (i.e. not just portraits). Experimentation."
                -Amanda Beardsley, University of Utah

"Examples of individual artistic style, vision, and concepts."                        
               -Justin Kunz, Brigham Young University

"Life drawings, commercial art, photography, film/video animation."
                -Zac Elliott, Art Institute of Salt Lake City

How much of my art should I bring?
I would encourage students to bring only their best work, not work from Jr. High. They should bring 10-15 of their best work not 30 of different quality.
                -Trudy Richardson, Salt Lake Community College

More is not necessarily better.”
                -Rich Briggse, BYU- Idaho

We really only need to see a few pieces to see what a student ability is.
                -David Belka, BYU- Idaho

Don’t bring everything. Only bring the best. That may be ten pieces for some students, while others may have about 15.”                       
                -Glen Blakley, Dixie State College

Quality is more important than quantity. I encourage students to edit their portfolios, realizing that they will be judged on their poorest work as well as their best."
                - Arlene Braithwaite, Southern Utah University
 
How should I present my art?
A portable portfolio is easier to flip through.
                -Scott Allred Snow College

I liked seeing the sketchbooks several students brought – nicely matted and well-presented portfolio pieces are a joy to review.
                -Robert Barrett Brigham Young University

Presentation, I was very impressed with students that had matted and framed their work. It looks more professional and more put together.”
                -Nadia Morales Westminster College

Create a digital portfolio on a CD to leave with University Representatives.
               -Noel Carmack USU Eastern
 

Still have questions? Contact Chloe Hunter at 801-491-5707 or CHunter@springville.org