Thank you for your interest in the Department of Art & Art Education’s Art Folio Day, our annual in-person portfolio evaluation event during TCNJ’s Lions Day Open House!
For questions about Art Folio Day, please contact the Department of Art and Art Education at artdept@tcnj.edu or 609.771.2652
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Acceptance to the Visual Arts program requires a successful portfolio review in addition to acceptance by TCNJ’s Office of Admissions. A strong portfolio review during Art Folio Day could meet the portfolio requirements for admission to the Visual Arts program. Students are encouraged to show their work, even as juniors or if their portfolios are still in progress.
Our faculty members are happy to provide advice on how to improve the portfolio before final submission. The portfolio consultation is the same for all majors and specializations.
SAT or ACT scores are optional for all applicants. Extra consideration will be placed on the applicant’s high school transcript, extracurricular involvement, and art portfolio. Please note: portfolios are OPTIONAL for Art Education applicants.
SlideRoom
Prospective and current TCNJ students can use SlideRoom to submit their portfolios online. For assistance, visit the SlideRoom Help Desk and FAQ at SlideRoom Support.
Requirements
The portfolio should consist of the following three components:
Digital documentation of 6-12 works of art *
Professional presentation of the work is important. Please present documentation that is in focus, well-lit, and shows your best work.
For All Applicants:
- Original Work Only: All submissions must be original. Do not include copies of other artists’ work, including anime, cartoons, graffiti, or tattoos.
- Sketchbook Work: When possible, include at least one image from a sketchbook.
- Portfolio Review at Art Folio Day: A strong portfolio presented at Art Folio Day may fulfill the portfolio requirement for admission to the Art Education or Visual Arts majors.
- Scholarship Consideration: To be considered for a talent-based scholarship, submission of a portfolio through SlideRoom is required.
File Specifications:
- Still Images: Each image file must be in JPEG, PNG, BMP, or TIFF format and no larger than 5 MB.
- Videos: Video files (accepted formats: .m4v, .mov, .mp4, .wmv, .flv, .asf, .mpeg) may be up to 60 MB and count toward the total of 6–12 files. Videos should not be used to show additional still images.
- Video Content Guidelines: Do not include titles or credits within the video. If submitting a longer video, upload it to your own website, YouTube, or Vimeo. Then, provide a screenshot and link in your application along with the video’s title, duration, and date of creation.
- Formatting Restrictions: Do not format images using presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote) or submit composite images (i.e., multiple works in a single file).
Students applying to Art Education or Fine Arts should submit 6–12 original works that demonstrate technical skill, creativity, and aesthetic sensitivity. A significant portion of the portfolio should focus on drawings from life, such as still lifes, figure studies, self-portraits, and observational sketches.
Students applying to Photography and Video should submit 6–12 original works, with a substantial portion consisting of photographs and/or video. Additional works—such as drawings, sculpture, graphic design, or mixed media—may be included to demonstrate versatility and artistic range.
A numbered list indicating the title, materials, and dimensions of the work
Include a numbered image list with your portfolio submission. For each work, provide your name, date of completion, materials used, and dimensions.
A one-page personal essay
Please include a one-page, single-spaced artist statement that briefly describes who you are, your artistic background, and any relevant life experience. Be sure to address your academic and artistic goals, and explain why you are interested in pursuing either Art Education or a specialization in the Visual Arts.
Important Submission Notes:
- Follow all SlideRoom submission instructions carefully.
- Do not mail a portfolio CD or DVD—only online submissions via SlideRoom will be reviewed.
- If you encounter issues uploading your materials, contact SlideRoom technical support at support@slideroom.com. Please allow up to one business day for a response.
- You may also consult the SlideRoom Help Desk and FAQ at SlideRoom Support for additional help.
Internal transfer application for current TCNJ students
Current TCNJ students who wish to transfer into the Visual Arts program must submit a portfolio through SlideRoom. Portfolio submission is optional for students applying to Art Education.
While internal transfer applications are accepted on a rolling basis, we recommend submitting your portfolio by the first week of October (for spring registration) or the first week of March (for fall registration). This ensures faculty have enough time to review your work, provide guidance, and complete the change-of-major process before registration.
Image Credit: Kaitlyn Walters, Graphic Design, Class of ’22