MAD Youth Summer Workshop: Portfolio Development

This camp is for high school students only, and it runs from Monday, August 22 to Friday, August 26 from 3:00 to 5:00 daily

Designed for college-bound high school students who are looking for additional information, instruction, and feedback on their art portfolios, this workshop will be led by an artist who will discuss the practical side of preparing to apply to art school. In addition to two days of drawing from life sessions, this five-day course will cover instructions on how to write an artist's statement and resumé; and how to prepare and photograph individual pieces in a way that best represents a body of work. Guest speakers will join the sessions to discuss the business of being an artist and to critique participants' work as well. Upon finishing this workshop, students will have refined and developed a portfolio that best reflects their own personal style.

For questions about this program, including regarding scholarships, please call 212-299-7759.

There will be a lunch break every day; students should provide their own food.

Day 1:

• Introductions
• Overview of course
• Reasons for pursuing art
• Life-Drawing
• Importance of drawing from life
• Keeping a sketchbook   

• Still-life setup
• Drawing techniques
• Value, line, negative space

Day 2:

• Drawing from life using charcoal on grey paper
• Value

• Critique of artwork

Day 3:

• Options for pursuing an art career

• AP Studio Art Portfolio Review

• Colleges: choosing an art school vs. University or Liberal arts program

• Difference between College portfolio and cohesive body of work

• My High School portfolio
• My website and Artist’s Packet

Day 4:

• The Artist’s Statement
• Raison d’Etre workshop
• Guest curator talk/critique

Day 5:

• Documentation of artwork
• Best practices