Portfolio Guidelines for the Art Program at SUNY Plattsburgh

Portfolio Guidelines

Portfolio Requirements

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)

Admission to the B.F.A. Program is by portfolio review. Freshmen may apply as an incoming freshman or at the end of their freshman or sophomore years. Transfer students may apply upon acceptance to the College. Students without portfolios may enter the B.A. program and, subsequently, apply to the B.F.A. program.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Portfolios are not required for students applying to the B.A. program.

B.F.A. Application Forms and Portfolio Submission Deadlines

Freshmen and Transfer Students

Fall Semester

Digital portfolios on cd and applications must be received in the art office by April 1, if you wish a decision by May 1. Portfolios and applications will be reviewed by the Art Chairperson from May 15 to September 1.

Spring Semester

Digital portfolios on cd and applications must be received in the art office by December 7 if you wish a decision by December 15. From December 15 to January 21, the chairperson will conduct interviews and review portfolios.

Plattsburgh State B.A. Art Majors Applying to B.F.A.

B.F.A. reviews are held each semester, typically during the first week of March in the spring semester and during the first week of October in the fall semester.  The dates are posted well in advance of each review date with instructions on where and when to hang the works. 

What to Include in Your Portfolio

Students Applying from High School

You should include twelve to twenty works. You must include at least four observational drawings, two works demonstrating ability with color, two 2D design projects, and four examples of work from any of the following: ceramics, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.

Students Applying at the End of the Freshman Foundation Year

You should include twelve to twenty works. If you have only completed the foundation program, you should include at least four observational drawings, two additional drawings, four 2D design projects (including two color projects), and four 3-D design projects. If you entered the program after taking other introductory studio courses, include examples from those courses.

Students Applying at the End of the Sophomore Year

You should include twelve to twenty works. You must include four drawings including observational drawings, and at least eight examples of work from any of the introductory classes you have taken: ceramics, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. If you have taken intermediate or advanced-level courses, you must include work from those courses.

Presentation

Should I submit my portfolio on cd, or submit the actual works?

High school students and external transfer students must send a digital portfolio on cd. Plattsburgh State students must submit a portfolio of actual work.

Should I mat and frame my 2-D work?

Matting and framing are not necessary. All work should be neatly presented. Work which can smudge should be covered with a clean sheet of newsprint. Work with wet paint may not be submitted.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions?

If you would like more information about art at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact:

Dr. Karen Blough, Chair
Office: Myers Fine Arts 211
Phone: (518) 564-2468
Email: karen.blough@plattsburgh.edu

Kimberly Hall-Stone, Secretary
Office: Myers Fine Arts 220B
Phone: (518) 564-2179
Fax: (518) 564-2199
Email: art@plattsburgh.edu

SUNY Plattsburgh
Art Department
Myers Fine Arts 220 B
Plattsburgh, NY 12901