PORTFOLIO REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

PORTFOLIO REVIEW DATES AND REQUIREMENTS

Students interested in Art, Art Education, Applied Digital Art, or the Communication Design programs require both an application to the University and the successful completion of an Online Portfolio Review through SlideRoom. 

ONLINE PORTFOLIO REVIEW

Portfolios for first-year students can be submitted online using SlideRoom. Requirements for submitting work are outlined below. There is a fee of $10 to upload a portfolio to SlideRoom.

Virtual Portfolio Prep Workshop:

This free, hour-long workshop will take you through the portfolio requirements as well as tips, tricks and suggestions for presenting your work in a professional manner.

Date:  November 11, 2025
Time: 6-7pm via Zoom
Register here 

Spring 2026
Date:  TBD
Time: TBD
Register here: coming soon

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

NUMBER OF UNIQUE PIECES: 8-12

New RequiremeNt

At least one drawing using traditional medium(s), preferably from observation 

SUGGESTIONS OF WHAT TO INCLUDE

• Two-Dimensional Design: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Mixed Media, Illustrations (traditional or digital), and Graphic Design. Works can range from observational to abstract and should demonstrate your understanding of composition, color, tonal value, shape, line, and texture, etc.
• Three-Dimensional Design: Sculpture, Ceramics, Metals, Jewelry, Woodworking, Mixed Media, Installation Pieces, Assemblage. For three-dimensional work provide at least 2 views per piece. 
• Digital & Time-Based Work: Animations, Motion Graphics, Creative Video, Video Games, Film, Websites, etc. Keep your submission to 10 minutes or less for all pieces combined; you may submit excerpts for longer pieces. You can upload items to Slideroom (500 MB limit per file) or supply links to public channels on YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

SUGGESTED BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Additional drawings preferably from observation 
• Sketches/Sketchbooks– concepts, journals, experimentation with Techniques

PRESENTATION

Select: Include only your strongest, most recent work. Showcase problem solving, decision-making, and originality of ideas.

Document: For large scale or three-dimensional work, make close-up, focused, high-resolution, well-lit submissions shots showing the entire piece. Crop the image to remove distracting backgrounds or frames and make sure the shot is straight.

For three–dimensional work, photograph with a neutral background (white, black, grey) and show at least two views of the work. You may combine two views of the work in a single slide.

The simplest way to get the best lighting is to use daylight. Do not use a flash. The best type is indirect daylight; avoid photographing in direct sunlight.  Indirect light can be achieved by photographing in a room with large windows or outside in the shadow of a building.  Avoid photographing late in the day when the sun is low.

Organize: Develop an order to your presentation that makes sense and has a logical flow.

In-person portfolio reviews

Register for one of these in-person portfolio reviews where students receive on-the-spot feedback.

Kutztown University VPA Open House
Portfolio Feedback
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
11am-12pm
Please note: Formal asscptance decisions for VPA programs are not provded during this session, it is feedback only.
Register Here

Important Dates

December 1, 2025	Application deadline for POST-GRAD creative catalyst, creative futures, or creative refresh certificate program, Spring start
December 12, 2025	Visual Arts portfolio Slideroom submission deadline - FRESHMAN and TRANSFERS for Spring 2026 start
January 7 & 14, 2026	Music undergraduate students audition dates for FRESHMEN and TRANSFER for Spring 2026 start
January 10, 2026	Masters Certificates in Communication Design Slideroom portfolio deadline for  Spring 2026 start
TBA	Visual Arts portfolios and Music auditions undergraduate scholarship consideration deadline for Fall 2026 start
May 1, 2026	Application deadline for POST-GRAD creative catalyst, creative futures, or creative refresh certificate program for Summer start
May 15, 2026	Visual Arts portfolio Slideroom submission deadline - FRESHMAN for Fall 2026 start
May 29, 2026	Visual Arts portfolio Slideroom submission deadline - TRANSFERS for Fall 2026 start
August 1, 2026	Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) in Communication Design portfolio Slideroom deadline for Fall 2026 start
August 1, 2026	Application deadline for POST-GRAD creative catalyst, creative futures, or creative refresh certificate program for Fall start

HELPFUL CONTACTS

College of Visual and Performing Arts: Josie Wynter, 610-683-4501, wynter@kutztown.edu

University Admissions: 610-683-4060 or toll-free 1-877-628-1915, admissions@kutztown.edu

Notification of acceptance will be provided by the Kutztown University Admissions Department.