Visual Arts Audition Information, Denver School of the Arts
We had 130 applicants for 2011-12. Current enrollment in VA is 115 students. VA is graduating 15 seniors.
The Visual Art Department annually auditions all grade levels, however, the largest number of available slots are in sixth and ninth grade. We do not accept seniors into the VA Department.
To Audition you must:
- Complete the required DSA on-line application (the window opens November 1st and closes November 21st at noon)
- Attend the Required Pre-Audition Meeting November 28th, 2011 at 6 p.m. The audition process will be explained in detail at this meeting and you will receive an appointment to audition in January of 2012.
At least one family member, friend or teacher of the applicant is must attend this meeting. Detailed information and Q&A about the VA Department and its audition process, including scoring rubrics will be provided.
- Pick up your Teacher Recommendation forms, audition rubric and written instructions
- At the end of the meeting, you will be given an appointment time for your drawing audition and an audition number. Due to the large number of applicants, we cannot individualize appointment dates. Plan to be available Saturday, January 20 for auditions and Saturday, January 27 for possible call back.
Teacher Recommendation Forms (2 Required)
- Forms must be mailed directly to the DSA VA Department by your teachers
- Provide your teacher with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to insure timely delivery
- Your letters must be received the interview date, so give them to teachers in advance.
- Be sure to ask a teacher who knows you well and can speak to your interest/ability in art as well as your work ethic. Be sure the teacher agrees to write the recommendation. You may need to remind them.
Audition Dates: January 18, 3:30 – 5:45 (grades 9 – 11 only) and January 21, (grades 6 – 9): Still Life Drawing and Creativity Exercise, One-hour audition session, you will draw in groups of 22
- bring your resume with your full contact information to the audition
- all art materials will be provided, do not bring your portfolio
- · arrive 10 minutes early to check in. Late students will not get extra drawing time.
- 40-minute drawing from prepared still life and
- 20-minute creativity exercise in your choice of 2D or 3D material
- audition drawings will be scored for call back interviews and those numbers will be posted on the VA web page and the school office by 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 24
Typed Resume (Due at Drawing Audition Check in)
- Include name, age, address, phone numbers, parent e-mail, schools attended, extra curricular activities, classes and workshops attended, awards, exhibitions and special interests/talents. Resumes are in outline form and must not exceed one page. We will keep one copy of your resume, so keep a copy for yourself
- Do not include certificates, grades or other papers. We do not require an essay.
Call Backs for Interview and Portfolio Review, Saturday, January 28, 2012
· Approximately 40% of all applicants (highest scores) will be “called back” with an assigned interview appointment time
·Call back audition numbers will be posted on the VA web page with your assigned interview time by 9:00 a.m., January 24 The list will also be posted in the office at DSA. Do not lose your audition number! Please do not call the office or VA classroom during the school day for information.
· Interviews are conducted without parents by a panel of 3 – 5 teachers, artists and students for 10 – 15 minutes. Plan to arrive a few minutes before your appointment time.
· Be prepared to show your portfolio and talk informally about your work and interest in art.
Portfolio
- · “Portfolio” refers to a body of work, not the container it is presented in. Cardboard is a good way to support and hold your work. Do not wrap individual artworks to be shown as it takes time from your interview.
- You may show photographs for large pieces or 3D work
- Bring 8- 10 examples of your best work created in the last 2 years. Any media is acceptable, show your greatest strengths and passion for making art.
- Show evidence of your thoughts, ideas, creativity, invention, and some observational skills.
- Applicants to the high school program must evidence levels of skill and experience equal to our current students at that level
- You will take your portfolio home at the end of the interview.
- Quality of work is more important than diversity ·
If you keep a sketchbook or journal, it can be counted as one of your portfolio pieces, but do not make a sketchbook specifically for this interview.
* all artwork in the portfolio must be original and not derivative of existing comics, characters, or photographs. Internet images and photographs taken by others may be used as reference but should not be directly copied for portfolio submission.
Notification of Final Acceptance
- Letters regarding acceptance status are mailed in February
- High scoring applicants who are not accepted may be wait listed and notified if additional slots become available. Please let us know if you do not want to be considered in the future.
- Accepted applicants must notify DSA to confirm or decline by March deadline TBA
- Additional spaces can open up in May or in August after registration so we keep all applications on file.
Visual Arts Department Audition Scoring Rubric (50 points)
_____ Resume – 2 points
Neatly typed, Clear primary contact information for call back
Name, education, special activities/interests or awards present
_____ 2 Letters of Recommendation — 3 points
Received by January 12, 2010, no late letters will be considered in your score
Required information addressed, appropriate person selected for letter
_____ Creativity Assignment – 15 points
original work not derivative
Imagination, creativity, self-expression, humor
personal voice/style
Variety of art elements and design used: form, shape, line, texture, value, size variation
_____Still Life Drawing – 15 points
Name, date and next year’s grade on back, lower right
At least 3 objects included as observed from still life
Use of the entire page, thought given to whole design of page
Ability to record shapes and sizes accurately
Variety of texture, line quality, shading
Ability to focus on drawing for full session
Strong individual style or technique
_____ Portfolio – 10 points
8 – 10 pieces including some observational work
Original work, no copies of photographs or comic characters
Skill in drawing or handling of selected media
Personal voice, evidence of individuality, creativity
work goes beyond simple class assignments
High School Applicants: Evidence of advanced skills and knowledge equal to DSA VA grade level. Strong evidence of personal voice, passion and interests
_____ Interview – 5 points
Student communicates interest and passion for art
Student communicates desire and interest to be at DSA
Student is able to speak clearly about the works presented in their portfolio
Positive attitude, student communicates work ethic and determination
TOTAL _____ /50