Visual Arts Audition Instructions

BSA’s Visual arts is a fine-arts based, skill driven program. It is designed for gifted young students who want to develop their skills and pursue a career in the arts. Students are taught by working professional artists in each course of study and are specialists in their fields. The goal is to expand the artist in total, not just to provide experience or train students in particular aspects. We do not offer courses in cartooning. Student mastery is measured by the quality of the work created. The end result is an extensive portfolio that will carry the student forward boldly and competitively into their next academic or professional endeavor.

Applicants portfolio will consist of:

Seven samples of work for review
Answers to four short essay questions
Completed three home drawing assignments on a sheet of paper
Current photo of the applicant (optional)

After evaluation, the top portfolios will be selected and those applicants will be contacted for an in-person drawing session and interview.

Some applicants may be asked to return to complete a second art activity.

All applicants must complete the high school application that can be found on the school’s website at bsfa.org under the Admissions tab. Once your application is submitted you may proceed with the following instructions. You will have until the deadline of December 3, 2024 to submit your portfolio.

TWO ways to submit portfolio

1. Online submissions
Once you submit your online application, you will receive an email with instructions on how to submit your portfolio online.

You will need an active Gmail account to respond to the form. Carefully follow the directions and answer all the questions on the form. You will be directed to upload your work samples right to the form itself. When the form is complete, you will receive a confirmation email.

2. Hard Copy and Hand Delivered Submissions
If for any reason you cannot submit your portfolio online, you may submit hard-copy materials, in-person to BSA. When your packet is delivered, you will be asked to complete a short information form. Please fill it out carefully and completely.

Hard-copy portfolio packets should only be dropped off to BSA, while school is in session 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

IMPORTANT!
If you are hand delivering application materials, please include COPIES ONLY. Do not include the original work.
Portfolio submissions will not be returned.

Hard-copy portfolio packets should be:
1. Submitted in a sealed, legal or ledger-sized envelope, addressed to Archie Veale, Visual Arts Department.
2. Flat, do not fold or roll submissions.
3. Signed on the front and back with the applicant’s name and grade.

Work Samples

All Portfolio work should be created by the applicant personally and should represent his/her best efforts. Work can be in any medium or material (drawings, paintings, prints, digital, sculpture, photography, animation, etc.). Work from home, school, or other outside art classes is acceptable. Portfolios will be judged on quality of engagement, level of difficulty, and overall skill.

Essay questions

Your answers to the following questions must be included with your online or hand-delivered portfolio submissions. You may write as much as you think is appropriate to answer the question. You may upload a file or type your answers directly into the online form itself. If you are submitting a hard-copy, please make sure that your name and grade are included.

Q1. Why are you interested in pursuing a fine arts education? What are you hoping that attending BSA will do for you?

Q2. Name an artist whose work inspires or influences your work. What aspects of their work have you tried to use in your work?

Q3. What unique characteristics do you possess that you feel will help you succeed at BSA?

Q4. What do you believe will be your greatest personal challenge at BSA?

Home Drawing Assignments

This home assignment consists of 3 separate drawings. Please read and follow the directions carefully.

Drawing 1: still life
Set up a still-life of 8-10 household objects that must include the following:

a very shiny or slightly reflective object
a completely white object
a transparent drinking glass, pitcher, or jar
a large hard-cover book
a medium size piece of fabric or drapery about the size of a large shirt or pillow case.
a shoe

Additional Instructions:

Arrange the objects in an interesting way so that they work together without being too crowded or hiding objects too much.
You can add lighting from a desk lamp or shop light to make the objects and shadows more interesting.
You may use any drawing material that you like. It can be in black and white or color.
Draw your still-life as best you can from direct observation.
Do not draw from photographs or use any kind of projection tools.
You may want to Google still-life drawing to get ideas on how to arrange your still-life at home.
Include a good quality copy, scan or photo of your finished drawing with your portfolio.

Drawing 2: hand and object study

Find an interesting small object in your home.
Hold it in your hand so that both the hand and the object are in an interesting position.
Draw a picture of your hand holding that object. Make sure that the object does not hide too much of the hand (no cell phones or game controllers, please).
You may use any drawing material that you like. It can be in black and white or color.
Draw your hand study as best you can from direct observation.
Do not draw from photographs or use any kind of projection tools.
You may want to Google hand study drawing to get ideas on how to pose for it.
Include a good quality copy, scan or photo of your finished drawing with your portfolio.

Drawing 3: A section of a room in your house

Find an interior space that has different kinds of angles, structures or objects in it.
Set yourself up in the space so that you have a interesting view. Identify how much of the space you could draw without turning to the side.
Draw a picture of that space. Include whatever you can see from your view.
You may use any drawing material that you like. It can be in black and white or color.
Draw your room study as best you can from direct observation.
Do not draw from photographs or use any kind of projection tools.
You may want to Google interior study drawing to get ideas on what to look for.

Include a good quality copy, scan or photo of your finished drawing, in your portfolio.

In-person interviews and drawing activity

Applicants with the highest reviewed portfolios will be asked to come to BSA for a personal interview during the week of January 13, 2025.

It is critical that you provide current student AND parent contact information with your online submission or audition packet. Applicants that are requested to sit for interviews will be contacted as quickly as possible after their portfolios have been reviewed, along with any and all further instructions. Interview applicants will be notified by email for their appointment day and time.

If you have any questions or concerns please email Archie Veale or Samantha Buker at visualarts@bsfa.org.