Application Deadline: January 17, 2026

To audition for Visual Arts and Design, you’ll be asked to upload an Audition Portfolio with your online application by this date.

💡 Tip: We strongly recommend attending the Audition Workshop in November to help you prepare.

We highly suggest you attend the Audition Workshop in November to help prepare for your audition submission. Students will also be asked to come in-person for auditions.

Portfolio Requirements

Please take your time with each of your art pieces and submit ONLY original work. We ask that you include 10-20 art pieces in your Portfolio and encourage you to view this Portfolio Tutorial Video prior to preparing your Portfolio. Portfolio presents a variety of media, genre and a balance of classwork and personal work.

Requirements:

● Pieces that include a variety of subject matter and ideas.

●*NEW*:  At least 3 works from observation are required.

                ○ An observational drawing is a drawing of a three dimensional object(s) in front of you and not from                  an image

● *NEW*:  If including character drawings, only include original character drawings with character profiles and

multiple views, expressions, movement, proportion, and narrative

● *NEW*: Work represents stories, thoughts, opinions, and/or points of view.

If you’re able, use this list of suggestions when deciding what to include in your portfolio:

● Two-dimensional and three-dimensional works

● A variety of different materials such as fabric, pencil, colored pencil, ink, paint, charcoal, pastel, etc.

● Sketchbooks, photography, fashion designs, and graphic designs.

● Graffiti, lettering, and mural art.

● Websites, online/social media art pages and look books.

● *NEW*: Multimedia work including collage

● *NEW*: If including digital work, include a maximum of 3 digital works (not required)

● *NEW*: If including photography, include a maximum of 3 photographs (not required)

Suggestions:
Use this list to help decide what to include in your portfolio. These are suggestions, not requirements.

• Two-dimensional and three-dimensional works
• Variety of materials, such as:
  • Fabric
  • Pencil / Colored pencil
  • Ink
  • Paint
  • Charcoal
  • Pastel
• Multimedia work (including collage)
• Sketchbooks
• Photography (max. 3 pieces, optional)
• Fashion designs
• Graphic designs
• Graffiti, lettering, and mural art
• Websites, online/social media art pages, or look books
• Digital work (max. 3 pieces, optional)
  

Please take your time with each of your art pieces and submit only original work.

In-Person Audition Criteria

Visual Arts & Design in-person auditions consist of two parts. In the first, students are required to complete three observational drawings using objects and materials provided. In the second part of the audition, students are asked to create an art piece in response to a prompt presenting a design problem.  

Visual Arts & Design auditions are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Following Directions: Materials and Time
  Did I complete three observational drawings in 24 minutes, complete one prompt in 24 minutes, and use at least three art materials for my prompt response?
  
• Problem Solving: Prompt Solution
  How inventive was my solution to the prompt?
  
• Observation:
  Do my drawings look like the objects I chose?
  
• Technical Skill:
  How well do I use my materials? 
  

Click HERE to view the full rubric used during Visual Arts & Design auditions.

No Callbacks

There are no callbacks for VAD applicants.

If you have questions about the audition process, please contact baa-admissions@bostonpublicschools.org.

Career Technical Education Programs (CTE)

For more on the admissions process  for CTE programs within the Visual Arts and Design department, please click here.