Visual Arts Requirements

Please submit a portfolio that includes ten (10) of your best works from the last two years:

A) Five (5) of these pieces/images should reflect a consistent body of work based on a cohesive idea or technique.

B) Five (5) pieces/images should reflect that an equally strong body of work that either supports the first five or reveals another strength.

NOTE: You may submit a detail of a piece as one of your works/images/pieces, but you may not submit more than one detail per work. Each detail counts towards your total of ten (10) pieces in your submission portfolio. (That is, if you choose to submit 5 pieces, and show details for each of these, you have reached your limit for 10 works/pieces/images submitted.)

All submissions should be photographed and each image in your portfolio should be uploaded following the instructions as provided below.

Visual Arts Submission Guidelines:

  • The portfolio should demonstrate original thinking, an artistic commitment and a willingness to take creative risks.
  • While it is expected that you will consult with your teachers in the selection of portfolio material, you are urged to submit work you feel best represents your creative interests.
  • Work need not be done during the current year, but must be original and can be done in or out of school.
  • Work that suggests visual plagiarism i.e., a direct copy of another artist’s work, will be disqualified.
  • Work cannot be older than two years old.

Recommendations for Photographing Images:

  • Position the camera to take an image as “tight” as possible to the original.
  • Use as much natural light as possible, minimizing the amount of flash needed for the image. The best photographs are taken with indirect sunlight with no glare or shadows on your artwork.
  • When photographing flat works of art, use a neutral or non-distracting background, avoid covering the art work with a surface such as glass or acetate that will produce a glare.
  • Objects not related to your art work should not be included in your picture. 
  • Images may not be digitally manipulated or altered other than color or contrast correction.
  • Images are to be nothing more than digital representations of original artwork.

You are responsible for the quality of your submission and the quality of the digital images will affect judging. Digital images that are out of focus, poorly lit, or difficult to see will be disqualified. (There are no refunds even if your materials are disqualified).

Minimize use of digital manipulation. A complicated effect using Photoshop will not impress the judges.

Technical Guidelines for Formatting Images:

  • Image Print Size: at least 4 x 6 inches at 300 dpi
  • Image File Size: Maximum of 6 x 9 inches at 300 dpi
  • Image File Size: Minimum of 500 KB / Maximum 4 MB
  • Image File Format: JPEG (JPG)

Technical Specifications for Images Created Using a Digital Camera:

  • Set camera for "JPEG" format
  • Set camera for "fine" or "extra fine" resolution, not "web" or "normal" 
  • Use a 6+ megapixel camera that has a high resolution setting.
  • Image pixel size camera setting: Minimum 1200 x 1800 / Maximum of 1800 x 2700 

Click here for instructions to reduce image files larger than 4MG (PC Users Only)

Technical Specifications for Scanning Photographs/Slides:

  • Scan slides at 100% at a minimum of 1500 dpi.
  • Scan photographs at 100% at 300 dpi if photo is 4 x 6 inches or larger (8 x 10 photographs use 250 dpi.
  • Photographs larger than 6 x 9 decrease the dpi by 50 for each additional size scale. (i.e., scan photographs at 100%, but at 250 dpi for 8 x 10 or 200 dpi for 9 x 12 inches).
  • Scan photographs at 100% using at least 600 dpi if photo is smaller than 4 x 6 inches. 

Do not do the following (or you will be disqualified):

  • Use images created with camera phones (most camera phones will not produce an image at 300 dpi, and images are altered in many photo software programs).
  • Use images designated as “web-ready”
  • Submit slideshows
  • Submit PowerPoint presentations
  • Submit animations
  • Submit movies
  • Submit audio with your pictures
  • Embed your images into Microsoft Word

Please note that the application fee is non-refundable even in the case of injury. You also must be free of injury to participate in YoungArts Week if you are chosen as a Finalist.