National Portfolio Day serves a variety of purposes.  Most importantly, it is designed to help further the artistic development of young artists by bringing together experienced undergraduate college representatives to review artwork and offer feedback.  We understand that some people make certain kinds of art more successfully than others.  Don't be discouraged if you see work that is "better" than yours.  A National Portfolio Day may be the first time you have seen so many people in one place who all share a powerful commitment to the arts.  The experience is a small taste of what a professional art program can be like.

National Portfolio Days are also about the exchange of information about your work, yourself, your college plans, and your concerns.  This is not an examination or competition.  The college representatives are pleased to talk about their programs with you and can be most helpful when discussing your artwork.  Your portfolio should include your best and most recent work, but it can also include works in progress, sketchbooks and tear sheets.  You'll hear many different opinions of your work.  Don't hesitate to explain how you develop your ideas and where you want to go with them.  No admissions decisions or scholarship awards will be offered to you at National Portfolio Day.  Some colleges represented may accept your portfolio as the visual portion of your application.  Other colleges have restrictions that prohibit them from making a definite portfolio decision at the time of your review.  We urge you to discuss your work with as many representatives as possible.

What should you bring to a portfolio day?
Please bring a portfolio containing your best work to date which can include work in progress, sketchbooks and tear sheets. Do not spend an inordinate amount of time matting or framing your work—it is the work itself that is important. Whenever possible, bring your original artwork. You may also bring a laptop to show your work. Be advised, however, that you will not have access to an electric outlet and that Wi-Fi is not available at this event.

For more information on National Portfolio Day events, visit www.portfolioday.net.

Participating Schools:
Art Academy of Cincinnati
Center for Design at Lawrence Tech
The Cleveland Institute of Art
College for Creative Studies
Columbus College of Art & Design
Ecole Parsons à Paris
FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Herron School of Art and Design
Kansas City Art Institute
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University
Maryville University
Memphis College of Art
Miami University
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Murray State University Department of Art & Design
New Hampshire Institute of Art
Northern Illinois University, School of Art
PrattMWP
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Saint Francis
Vincennes University
Washington University in Saint Louis
Watkins College of Art, Design & Film