Fine Arts Portfolio
Portfolio Guidelines
In the semester of graduation, each student must submit a completed portfolio of work to a faculty member. The portfolio gives each student a central place to present his or her best samples to graduate school committees and potential employers.
Each BAFA candidate must have a portfolio that encompasses all three fine arts areas: music, drama and art. In addition, each concentration has portfolio requirements specific to the program.
Each BAFA student’s portfolio must include:
1. An Introduction
- Cover letter detailing acquired skills and application of skills in the workplace
- Table of Contents
- Resume
- At least three professional references from professors, employers, and/or internship supervisors
- List of courses taken in the BAFA curriculum at UHD
2. Written Works
- Minimum of three writing samples, one from each discipline (art, drama, music)
- Art History Concentration: Students with a focus in art history must submit a minimum of five writing samples.
3. Studio Products
- Minimum of three studio products from upper-level courses, including at least one from ART 3305
- No more than two products from the same course
4. Business Projects:
- At least one project or product from each of these courses:
- MGT 3301
- MKT 3301
- HUM/ART/DRA/MUS 3325
5. Internship Summary:
- A one-page description of the internship experience:
- What did you learn and how does it apply to your career plans?
- Would you recommend this internship to another student?
- Brief explanations of other co-curricular experiences, such as student-initiated projects, exhibitions, or productions
Each student must submit a portfolio for faculty review during his or her final semester.
Students must submit portfolios in a single PDF document via Canvas.
Fall Graduation Deadline - First Monday in October
Spring Graduation Deadline - First Monday in March
Each portfolio receives a grade of either Pass or Fail based upon these criteria:
- Completeness: Meets minimum number of products in each category.
- Scope: Contains examples from each area of fine arts with several excellent samples in the student’s area of concentration.
- Quality: Samples exhibit work that is at or above expectations for entry-level work.
- Neatness and clarity: Format is organized and well planned.
Program-Specific Guidelines
In addition to General Portfolio items, art students must submit:
- 10 high-resolution digital images
- A description of each image, including title, medium and size.
- A summary of the assignment that lead to each production and/or the objective of each sample.
In addition to General Portfolio items, drama students must submit samples representative of each of these areas:
Acting
- Provide a short media file with clips of monologues, scenes, or stage combat
- If possible, include still photos from productions, labeled with show title, character portrayed, venue, and date(s) of performance.
Directing
- Brief description of directorial style and concept summary for each production
- Still photos illustrating blocking, proxemics, visual metaphor, and special challenges
- Copies of rehearsal schedules, scene divisions, cast handouts, and favorable reviews
Design
- Include a brief statement of concept, preparatory work, final renderings, and photos of completed designs.
Technical Theater
- Provide a short description of the construction process (including materials and tools)
- Present process photos and a final photo of the project under show lighting, if possible.
Writing Samples
When presenting theatre history or dramaturgy writing samples, include:
- The revised paper (with all corrections completed)
- A brief description of the assignment
- A copy of a dramaturgical note in a program or photos of a lobby display, when applicable.
In addition to General Portfolio items, music students must submit:
- At least three research papers with bibliographies, completed in upper-level music courses (must be submitted in electronic format as a Microsoft Word document and include graphics, audio clips and accompanying PowerPoint presentation, if applicable).
- A brief explanation of each writing assignment mentioned above
- Representative samples of music theory coursework, such as composed and notated songs or independent projects. MIDI and FINALE files may satisfy this requirement.
Include audio and/or video samples of this work, for example:
- Clips of public or classroom performances
- MIDI clips of compositions
- Clips of composed works performed by others