Visual Arts Audition Information, Denver School of the Arts
_______________________________________________________________________________
Current enrollment of VA is 105 students. VA is graduating 13 seniors.
The Visual Art Department annually auditions all grade levels except seniors, however, the largest number of available slots is filled by sixth and ninth grade students. The number of students who do not continue in the program is relatively low.
Required Pre-Audition Meeting, December 1, 2008 6 p.m. DSAs Schomp Theater
at least one family member is required to attend
detailed information about department and the audition process
scoring rubrics for the audition
pick up Teacher Recommendation forms
appointment times given for your drawing audition
You must have an appointment to audition. Due to the large number of applicants, we
do not make individualized appointments, please plan to be available both Saturdays, January 10 (audition day) and 24 (interview day).
You must file a DSA application on line by December 12th in order to audition.
Applications received after Dec. 12 will be placed on a will call for possible future auditions.
Audition, Saturday, January 10, 2009 (Still Life Drawing and Creativity Exercise)
your one-hour audition session will be held Saturday, January 10 between 8 a.m. 5 p.m.
all materials will be provided.
arrive 10 minutes early to check in. Late students will not be given extra time to finish
40-minute drawing from prepared still life followed by a 20-minute creativity exercise
you will have a choice of working in clay or drawing for the creativity piece.
audition work will be scored for call back interviews
bring your resume with good contact info to the audition
Typed Resume (Due at Drawing Audition, January 10, 2009)
submit a typed resume when you check in for your drawing audition
include your name, age, address, phone numbers, parent e-mail, schools attended, visual art
experience, classes and workshops attended, awards and exhibitions and special
interests/talents. Resumes are in outline form and must not exceed one page.
list a primary e-mail or phone number where a message can be left regarding your call back
do not include certificates, grades or other papers. We do not require an essay.
we will keep your resume, so keep a copy for yourself
Call Back Interview and Portfolio Review
Applicants who score in the upper 50% will be posted on the VA web page Monday, January 12 by number. those applicants will be invited back for an interview and portfolio review on Saturday, January 24.
this information will also be posted in the DSA office. Please do not forget your audition number and do not call the office for your status as we do not have staff to take those calls.
interviews are conducted without parents by a panel of 3 5 DSA 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
fine to support and hold your work.
you may show photographs for large pieces or 3D work
bring 8- 10 examples of your best work in any media, show your greatest strengths
show evidence of your thoughts, ideas, creativity, invention, and observational skills.
quality of work is more important than diversity
a sketchbook can be counted as one of your portfolio pieces
high school portfolios should reflect higher levels of technical skill and diversity of
media.
you will take your portfolio home at the end of the interview.
** all artwork in the portfolio must be original and not derivative of existing
comics, characters, or photographs
Notification of Acceptance
All students will be notified by mail the first week of March as to their status.
High scoring applicants who are not accepted will be placed on a wait list and notified if
additional slots become available. Please let us know if you do NOT want to be wait listed.
Accepted applicants must notify DSA to confirm or decline by March 17
We often take a few wait listed students in August after registration
Name _________________________________ Grade (2009-10) ____________________
Visual Arts Department Audition Rubric (50 points)
_____ Resume 2 points
Neatly typed
Name, contact info, education, special activities/interests and awards present
_____ 2 Letters of Recommendation -- 3 points
Received by January 24, 2009, no late letters will be accepted
Required information addressed, appropriate person selected for letter
_____ Creativity Assignment 15 points
Use of full picture space if drawing
original work not derivative
Imagination, creativity, or humor; self-expression, personal voice/style
Variety of art elements and design used: form, shape, line, texture, values, sizes
_____Still Life Drawing 15 points
Name, date and next years grade on back, lower right
At least 3 objects included as observed from still life
Use of the entire page, thought given to whole picture space
Ability to record shapes and sizes accurately
Shading, texture and line variation
Ability to focus on drawing for full time
Strong individual style or technique
_____ Portfolio 10 points
8 - 10 pieces including a few examples of observational work
Original work, no direct copies of photographs or comic characters
Skill in drawing or handling of selected media
Personal voice, evidence of individuality, creativity
High School Applicants: Evidence of advanced skills equal to DSA VA grade level
Evidence of personal voice and interests
_____ Interview 5 points
Student communicates interest and passion for art
Student communicates desire and interest to be at DSA
Positive attitude
Student communicates work ethic and determination
_____ /50 Total
VA Audition Info and Rubric