Visual Arts Audition Guidelines

What We Are Looking For

Ellington is looking for students with potential who demonstrate their passion for the visual arts. Successful students show strong observational skills and hand-eye coordination. They have the ability to create the illusion of a 3-D composition/objects/figures on a paper or canvas utilizing line, shape, form and value.

How to Prepare

Students must bring their portfolio in-person and submit their portfolio digitally the following form below: https://forms.office.com/r/jAFFSbS0Y5

Images of your portfolio pieces must meet the following criteria:

• A portfolio of at least five (5) or more works of art - on white drawing paper, 8-1/2 x 11-inch paper or larger with at least one each in the following categories:

  1. A self-portrait

  2. A drawing of a bicycle 

  3. A drawing of an open closet in their home (use color: pencils, markers or watercolors)

  4. A drawing of a landmark in the city (DO NOT DRAW THE NATIONAL MONUMENT)

  5. Free choice of anything of your own creation.
     

• ALL LISTED SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE REALISTIC (utilizing values | white, grays, and blacks unless otherwise specified) TO THE STUDENT'S BEST ABILITY EXCEPT FREE CHOICE. FREE CHOICE CAN BE INSPIRED BY CARTOONS + PERSONAL AESTHETICS. DO NOT SUBMIT AUDITION SUBMISSIONS ON LINE PAPER.

• Please be sure you keep these pieces of art and have them ready for your audition interview.

• The five (5) portfolio items above are mandatory. If you have additional portfolio items and/or a sketch book, you are welcome to bring these in as well.

The Audition Process Itself

• All students auditioning in Visual Arts will be required to produce a drawing from still-life during the audition, write a short essay while in your audition session about the form and content of a work of art presented in their portfolio, and discuss their portfolio during their interview with a Visual Arts faculty member.

• ​The Visual Arts Department will supply the materials needed for your audition. The audition process will take up to one (1) hour and forty-five minutes to complete.

Have a Successful Audition

• Take time and care with your required sketches and artworks.

• Be prepared to discuss your work.

• Present yourself well – arrive on time, speak clearly and confidently.

Please note 504 and IEP accommodation is available. Please contact admissions@ellingtonarts.org with any questions or concerns.