45 Art School Portfolio Prompts

Here are the video tutorials for some creative prompts in the 3 videos below. Use these ideas to get going with your art school portfolio, or anything else! Approach these prompts as a starting point that you can develop so that it matches your personal interests and narratives. Have fun changing up the media, or […]

Art School Admissions Bundle

Find out fast if you’re on the right track! Stop feeling confused and overwhelmed and get the answers you haven’t been able to find. You’ll create your MFA or BFA portfolio with our years of expertise and guidance. What’s missing in your portfolio? Learn what you can add to distinguish yourself from thousands of other […]

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

Art Prof Clara Lieu critiques an art school portfolio by high school student Ritu. Prof Lieu highlights what aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Featured Artist Leo Knudsen “I am aiming to get into an illustration or graphic design program. My passion […]

Art School Tours

Photos & text by Vivian Cromwell California College of the Arts California College of the Arts is in a quiet part of San Francisco. Two years of campus dorms are guaranteed, and there is additional housing for juniors and seniors. About 900 out of 1500 students live on campus. The three most popular majors are […]

Worst MFA Portfolio Mistakes

Don’t waste your time with these mistakes most MFA applicants make in their portfolios! Getting the right information for your MFA is important so you aren’t headed in the wrong direction. There is unfortunately a ton of misinformation on MFA degrees. This video provides trusted, accurate, up to date information. Video Walkthrough Prof Lieu’s Tips […]

6 Worst Mistakes When Starting Any Art Portfolio

Here are 6 critical mistakes that are common when starting a portfolio for any professional context: applying for a degree program, a teaching job, freelance illustration, and more. Video Walkthrough Prof Lieu’s Tips In general, if you are doing something because you think you “should,” that’s usually not a great idea. People can really tell […]

Guide to MFA Art School Portfolios

research Start portfolio content artist statement Letters of rec photographing artwork 1 on 1 SUPPORT Programs live group mentoring Your best art portfolio happens when you add what’s missing, and weed out what’s bringing it down. Find out quickly with a Portfolio Critique. interviews statement & resume CRITIQUES Prof lieu Q&A After art school art […]

Guide to BFA Art School Portfolios

Should you go? Stand out Research Mistakes Student interviews 1 on 1 support Group support Non art schools Prompts Start Student advice Q&A National portfolio day Sketchbooks Subjects Media Accepted portfolios Statements Critiques Photographing art Opportunities Rejection Art school life Art school issues After art school

How to Get Letters of Recommendation for an MFA Application

Many MFA candidates struggle with how to get a letter of recommendation from for their graduate school application. Find out who you can ask for a letter, and the etiquette surrounding that request. Discussion by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Lauryn Welch. Video Walkthrough

Which MFA Programs Should I Apply To?

There are so many MFA programs out there, how can you make decisions about where to apply? While it’s understandable that many MFA candidates want to apply to the top programs, there are many other options out there that could be a much better fit to your goals as an artist. Video Walkthrough MFA Programs […]

MFA Application & Portfolio Advice

RISD Graduate Printmaking Professor Andrew Raftery speaks to Art Prof Clara Lieu, providing advice on how to prepare an MFA application. They discuss the portfolio, writing the artist statement, getting letters of recommendation, when to attend, and more. Raftery regularly reviews MFA applications for the RISD MFA Printmaking program and shares insights based on those […]

Statement Editing

Whether you are applying to a degree program, preparing an artist statement for an exhibition or residency, these statements are critical parts of your application that many artists underestimate. 2 Edit Option Purchase $499 1 editLimit 1000 words3 business days $699 2 edits Limit 1000 words3 business days Questions? Email Prof Lieu.

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

Art Prof Clara Lieu critiques an art school portfolio by high school student Sakina Ibrahim. Prof Lieu highlights what aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Featured Artist Sakina Ibrahim “I have been creating art since I was young and I particularly love […]

MFA Interview Tips

This video provides concrete tips on how to go about interviews for MFA programs in studio art. Covering the types of topics you will likely be expected to discuss, as well as logistical parts on how to handle the interview process. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Lauryn Welch. Video Walkthrough […]

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

Art Prof Clara Lieu critiques an art school portfolio by high school student Catherine Chung. Prof Lieu highlights what aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Featured Artist Catherine Chung “I’m an Alabama high school senior applying this fall. Art colors my lens […]

MFA Textiles & Ceramics Portfolio Critique

This video provides a critique of an MFA art school portfolio, starting with an overview of the portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Topics discussed include aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Critique led by Art Prof Clara Lieu, portfolio […]

MFA Portfolios Track

The MFA Portfolios Track will lay out all the materials you’ll need to provide to apply to an MFA program in studio art. Lesson 1 • Lesson 2 • Lesson 3 • Lesson 4 An MFA portfolio requires a level of maturity and engagement with critical thinking. A sampling of homework assignments from your undergraduate degree isn’t going to […]

How to Stand Out with Your Art School Portfolio

Many students fall into the trap of creating generic, cliché artwork that tends to all look the same. 1 min video ~ 44 min video Here are specific actions you can take with your art school portfolio to get your work to jump out from the crowd and be more distinctive. Video Walkthrough Prof Lieu’s […]

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Jordan McCracken-Foster critique an art school portfolio by high school student Julie Chung. Prof Lieu highlights what aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Featured Artist Julie Chung “I am a high school senior, self taught […]

Should You Go to Art School?

Whether to go to art school is a tough decision, there so many factors to be considered. This video discusses whether art school is the right fit for you, and what are the most important considerations. Explained are the primary advantages are of attending art school, as well as the many challenges that come with […]

MFA Graphic Design Portfolio Critique

This video provides a critique of art art school portfolio, starting with an overview of the portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Topics discussed include aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Critique led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching […]

Should I Get an MFA?

A lot of the decision is based on a number of factors, is enrolling in an MFA program worth the time and cost? Do this first! This video addresses the many reasons why people attend MFA programs and weighs the pros and cons. Do you want to get an MFA in order to be eligible […]

Accepted Yale & Hunter MFA Portfolios

The process of preparing a portfolio for an MFA studio art requires a level of maturity and engagement with critical thinking. 3 min. version ~ 44 min. version Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu, Yale MFA graduate Leyla Faye and Hunter College MFA graduate (and Art Prof Teaching Artist) Lauryn Welch. At the MFA […]

Art Major in College vs. Art School

What is it like being an art major at a university vs. attending art school? This video weighs the pros and cons of being at an art major at a university, how it affects how to approach the college admissions process, how to figure out whether studying art at a college is a better fit […]

Art School Portfolio Examples

Art Prof is a leading expert on art school portfolios We’ve helped thousands of applicants create competitive portfolios with our years of teaching at some of the best art schools in the US. Be confident that you aren’t wasting time with things that don’t matter with our mentoring, portfolio critiques, statement editing, and resources. Lauryn Welch RISD 2010-2012, Purchase […]

Art School Portfolio Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid

Table of Contents Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artists Lauryn Welch and Jordan McCracken-Foster discuss mistakes you can avoid when preparing an art portfolio for art school. Types of artwork such as fan art, anime, celebrity portraits are generally not what admissions officers at art school art looking for, in addition to cliche images, […]

List of MFA & Post-Baccalaureate Programs

Low Residency MFA Post-Baccalaureate MFA Programs, International canada italy Sweden United kingdom MFA Programs, USA alabama arizona arkansas california connecticut colorado dc florida georgia iowa idaho illinois indiana kansas kentucky massachusetts maryland maine michigan minnesota montana new jersey new york ohio oregon pennsylvania rhode island south carolina tennessee texas utah virginia vermont wisconsin