Overview
Your portfolio shows us you. It’s a collection of your strongest work, but it also reflects how you think. Additionally, your portfolio doesn’t just demonstrate your talent, it shows us what you love. We recognize that each student has a different path, different education, and different resources that have gotten them to this point–so when our program directors review your portfolio, they don’t just look at where you are right now, but at where you can go in the future.
When we review portfolios, we encourage students to show a command of materials, original ideas, a keen eye for details, and design and drawing prowess. Drawings, photos, short films, paintings, designs, sculptures, and mixed media pieces are some of the types of work we enjoy seeing the most.
Application to the university and art program of your choice is a two-step process. Acceptance of your portfolio does not guarantee acceptance to the university.
Majors that Require a Portfolio Submission
- Animation, B.F.A.
- Graphic Design, B.F.A.
- Illustration, B.F.A.
- Studio Arts, B.F.A.
- Visual Arts Education, B.F.A.
Portfolio Requirements
- A minimum of 5 of your best pieces.
- Pieces may be digital or traditional.
- Work can be from high school classes, or self-directed.
- At least 2 pieces should be drawn/painted/rendered from direct observation e.g. still life studies.
- Include a list specifying the title, medium, and description for each piece.
- In addition to your finalized pieces, process work or excerpts from your sketchbooks are not required but highly recommended as they give us insight to your process.
Please do not Include
- Artwork of existing characters or media, i.e. fan art.
- AI generated artwork.
How do I submit an art portfolio?
Physical Portfolios
- You can drop physical portfolios off at the Admissions Office in Rosary Hall.
- If mailing, send your portfolio to Daemen University Admissions, 4380 Main Street, Amherst, NY 14226. Mailed portfolios must include a postage-paid mailer for us to return to the applicant.
- Physical portfolios should be presented as clearly and professionally as possible. Consider a portfolio or case, with work matted and clearly labeled on the back of each piece.
Digital Portfolios
- Digital submissions should include clearly presented, high resolution work.
- Files can be submitted individually to the submission art upload tool.
- Images should be correctly oriented to the artist's intention.
- Image files should be saved as JPG or PDF.
- Movies files should be saved as MP4, AVI, or MOV.
- Submit your Portfolio
Are there art scholarships?
Portfolio Scholarship
This annual $4,000 scholarship is given to two first-year art students whose work is judged outstanding by Daemen's studio faculty during the university's annual Portfolio Scholarship Competition.
All High Art Exhibition Award
The annual All High Art Exhibition awards up to $3,000 of annually renewable Daemen Visual & Performing Scholarship to various categories of outstanding work.
BOCES Scholarship
All BOCES students applying to enroll as a first-year student are eligible for an additional $2,000 of annually renewable scholarship.
Daemen Merit Scholarships
Students who apply to Daemen will be considered for one of six merit scholarships: The Presidents, Founders, Deans, Distinguished Faculty, Alumni or International Scholarship. These renewable scholarships range from $17,500 - $7,000.
FAQs
Not yet. To be admitted into the Animation, Arts Management (Fine Arts Track), Graphic Design, Illustration, Studio Arts, or Visual Arts Education, B.F.A. programs you must also have a portfolio submission accepted by the VPA studio faculty.
Not yet. To be admitted into your respective B.F.A. program you must also be academically accepted to Daemen University. View the requirements for academic acceptance.
Potentially. Many smartphones today have great picture quality. We’ll send you a message if your camera’s quality isn’t doing your work justice.
Yes. Many students have shared their work with us, received feedback, made some small tweaks to their work, submitted their portfolio, and been accepted. At the end of the day, we’re just ensuring that you’ll be comfortable in our studio courses.
Yes absolutely. As stated above, we recognize that each student has a different level of experience. If you’re unsure where your portfolio stands, email or message us and we’ll connect you with your future program director. We've met with students many times to help improve their portfolio. Additionally, keep an eye out for our various local Summer art programs where we help you craft some great work for your portfolio.
No. The Bachelor of Science in Art does not require a portfolio for admittance.
You can absolutely resubmit–we’d be excited to see your new work! When you submit a portfolio that hasn’t yet been accepted, we provide feedback that will help you create a body of work that will be accepted. We also share free or low cost resources wherever you’re located to help you on your journey.