Artist1

I was obsessing about interviews months ago. Then I realized I should just focus on getting my statement, portfolio and applications ready first. Now I'm almost done with all of that and am feeling anxious about interviews, particularly Yale and Columbia (*if* I get an interview). I'm comfortable talking about my work and have a very clear direction. I'm worried about being drilled about art history, specific artists, or to quote something. I have been out of school for 6 years now and am a little rusty on some of my art history in general and am bad at memorizing specific titles and quoting artists sometimes. I've heard that Yale/Columbia does this. I'm worried that if they catch me off guard, I'm just going to freeze up. I've been interviewed many times for local press and only froze once and that was for a video interview (completely bombed that one - deer in headlights). Question: If the will be looking for the amount of work you have made between now and the interview: Is this the work they want you to bring? or see images of? or to just talk about? I thought they would want you to bring a couple pieces from your portfolio you submitted. I'll be painting for a show between now and interviews but the work is a little different than my portfolio because it is specific for this exhibition. So I wouldn't want to show that. Thanks for sharing info!

Thanks! Just wanted to make sure.

Columbia states to submit 15 jpgs at 1280 x 1024. I emailed them and called and no response. The deadline is approaching. I finished my application, was just waiting for them to answer my question about the size. So do the images have to be size at 1280 x 1024 (is that width x height or doesn't matter)? What if your images are square or don't fit that format ratio? Do you paste it on a white or black background (or include the wall)? Or is it okay as long as the longest side of my work is 1280 or less? None of my images fit this format. So I just made the longest side 1280 or less. What did everyone else do? Did you talk to Columbia about this? THANKS!

After writing 6 pages of notes and ideas...I was able to come up with one sentence that summed it up and worked with my influences. Yay! All done with my statements

I talked about my work, influenced and interests....reference to specific contemporary artists and how they influence my work...but wasn't sure if I should elaborate more about the art movements/contemporary art world....I don't want it to read like a research paper.

I'm finishing up my last two statements... Not sure how to answer "How my work fits within the relative place in the history of Contemporary art"? and "how do you see your work and practice within the context of contemporary art?" List artists that have influenced my work? how it fits with what they are doing? or.....? I'm doing mixed media figurative painting... Just curious how other people are approaching this?

I spoke with SMFA, Syracuse, and Chicago Inst. Drawings are fine for the Painting portfolio. They don't care as long as it's strong work. They said I didn't have to put paintings in.

I had already uploaded all my images for Yale last week, but had not finished my statement. I finished my statement last night at 10pm and uploaded it. It said that it was received and provided a preview. I reviewed my application and submitted it. Then I paid with my credit card. I received an application status that lists all the uploads received. It has all my images, letters of recommendation and everything. But does not show my statement or a preview of it. It didn't say I was missing anything when I submitted it. I've emailed and called Yale but no response. Do you think this is just because so many people were uploading yesterday? Did it go through in time? There's no way to go back to upload again today. There's a voice message for Yale that says if it didn't go through yesterday then you can reupload today only if you already submitted your application. But there's no option to reupload. It just says application status and you can change your address and password. That's it. Anyone having a problem or heard anything from Yale? I'm nervous that it didn't go through

No I didn't write anything....except for on one to say it was an installation/drawing. Your statement describes your work.

I did a search and couldn't find anything specific to it on here. It said on a section of the website to include the image on your statement and then the application it said to make sure to check the box for the image as well. I just didn't want to include a second page with an image if it will possibly disqualify my application...but i dont know how they would expect us to fit an image on a statement that takes up the page. It would have to be a super small image and you can't tell what it is. They can always refer back to your work. Most schools I've talked to say they project the images, two at time, and go through it that way. And then look at the statement if the work is strong. I wasn't sure if Yale has a different process of looking at the statement with one image first and if it isn't strong, the just go "next" and not even look at your other images? Seems images, then statement would be the order of importance. I just want to make sure everything is correct. I was going to have it all in last week but am behind on everything due to my busy work schedule. I'll have my statement done by this evening at the latest. I hate being rushed! But I still have time to write my other statements and not be last minute. :/

So Yale's Statement of Purpose is limited to one page - max 500 words. I'm at 300 words right now after discussing my work, materials and process. I still have to fit in my influences, brief life history and why grad school now? I'm having a hard time fitting all the information without it sounding like a list due to the limited word count. Is it okay to just have a statement that says "My influences are ________, __________, and _________ or my interests including _________ __________. and __________. And then just include a sentence or two about 1-2 artists. Or just incorporate one sentence about an artist in the materials/process section? Then with the brief life history? I'd like to state where I grew up, info about moving and going to undergrad, what I've been doing since and then why grad school now? I'm having a problem fiting it in without it sounded like it was cut and paste. The flow isn't working. I'm having a hard time getting things to fit in one page. I feel that if I'm going to list influences they want me to elaborate on each, but there just isn't enough room on one page to do so? Any suggestions?

Tonight by midnight eastern time. I received an email from Yale that reminded applicants to try to upload their images before today due to the slow speed of the server with so many people uploading last minute. It might not be processed until tomorrow but they said they'd make an exception if the images are uploaded today but don't go through until tomorrow. But try to avoid this and get things in early. I have everything uploaded other than my statement - doing last minute revisions. I'm not clear on where/what size they want the representative image included in the one page statement. if it should be a small thumb or included on a second page - my statement takes up the entire one page. Are they just looking at the statement and glancing at the one image when they review, then if interested look at your actual portfolio? or is this for future reference after looking at your portfolio? My work doesn't show up well in a small thumb either way. I didn't want it to be a problem to include a second page with a decent sized image to go along with my statement. thoughts?

My work is large scale though, so if i make a small thumb you won't see the image clearly. I am concerned about including it on a second page, if i am only to have a one page statement.

I'm applying to Yale for MFA Painting (deadline tomorrow!). It says to include one representational image in your one page statement. I wanted to hear from anyone that has applied in the past or is applying - of how they included their image? Did you just have a second page of the pdf or word doc with a large image...... or smaller thumb on the front page?

They don't ask for an artist statement. But I handed them mine and they said they would read it. It's about half a page. I think as long as it's short they'll take a look at it. They gave good feedback on my statement and said it was clear and concise. This helps me for when I'm writing my statement of intent.

Sure, if your work is small enough I'd bring it. Some work looks better in person than in photos. You just don't want to be dragging around a large canvas. You just sit at a table when they review your portfolio. You don't get to hang your work or anything. If your work fits on a table or in their hand - then go for it. I saw some people carrying medium sized portfolios. I didn't see the work in it - could have been design. Don't know.... Syracuse University was there. I talked to them. They have a good fine arts program. I'm not sure what other universities there were. I don't think there were many. Mostly the major private art schools across the country. I wasn't really looking at any other universities and don't know much any of them for art programs In terms of the reviewers... Well, I guess it depends. Some schools like SMFA - it seemed that the reviewer was more of admissions staff and not a head of the department - so I'd say no they'd have no authority. But some schools have the actual heads of the fine art department or art professors reviewing your work and with those I would say maybe/yes. They might take your images and want to show the other faculty. You never know who you'll end up talking to. So I'd make the best impression you can and have the extra copies of artist statements and images on a disc just in case they ask for it. Good idea to bring along some business cards. I wouldn't push it on them but you would look unprepared if they ask for one and you don't have any. I had one of the reviewers copy my images on his USB drive to show faculty. So it's good to have your images on a laptop, if you have one or can borrow one.

Funny you say that about the U of M. I'm in Minneapolis and went to MCAD and have known people who went to the U for their MFA in Painting. The U of M and MCAD have always been more conceptually/design friendly than toward figurative artists. That's why I don't want to go to either for my MFA. Minneapolis is more accepting of small to medium scale work - design / conceptual paintings, illustration, installations, and collaborative projects. It's hard to show at galleries with any other kind of work as it doesn't "fit" in. There are a couple of figurative galleries but they cost a bit to exhibit and you get in based on who you know. And even then - it's more surreal, what Minneapolis calls "edgy", illustrative work that is "sellable". Minneapolis definitely has a large arts community but it is really behind. There's nothing interesting coming out of here. All the good artists end up moving to NY. After showing at a few galleries in town - that's it. Where do you go from there? Studios aren't very big. I'd say about 6 feet by 10 feet (maybe 12 feet). They are like cubicles so the walls are short. It's hard to work on large pieces. Some of the studios vary a little bit in size. My walls were short like that as undergrad and had to work on half of my large pieces, then roll it up and work on the other half and couldn't see what I was working on initially. I'm curious what size the studios are at Yale and Columbia - I've asked on here a couple times but no one has responded about it? I was told SMFA has studios about 10 x 10 feet, which is small. But don't know how high the walls/ceilings are. I don't want to go to a school that has such small studios that I have to compromise my work. I don't know about the other schools you mentioned.. U of M is an okay school and I'd definitely say conceptual friendly - as Minneapolis is. If you do conceptual / design/ illustrative painting then you'll do fine in Minneapolis. Figurative...I say go to East or West Coast.

I'm a figurative artist and applying for Fall 2011 for MFA Painting. Yale is in the top for me....although, they seem to always be more geared toward conceptual based work. I'd also like to hear from anyone who has applied, been interviewed, etc for Yale. I really wanted to know how large the studios are?

Just showing a bit of the wall around the work doesn't show the scale. You should photograph part of the floor and ceiling (and doorway if there is one near by). My work is almost mural size - so I photographed it with part of the ceiling and floor and in some cases the frame of a doorway. Even if your work is small - you should do this so they can see that it is small in relation to the room. If it is high enough res - they can zoom in to see the image. And if they want to see a larger image with just the artwork - I'm sure they can ask you.....and if you get an interview - they can see it in person anyway.

I went to national grad portfolio day last year in Chicago. I'd suggest getting there at least an hour early. I got there 30 minutes early and the line was already wrapped around the building, going around the block. Go to the first school on the top of your list. You will probably only have time to see 3 - 5 schools because there is a wait as the day goes on. I had to wait over an hour with a number to see someone at SIAC. You have a limited of time to actually talk to them. I wouldn't bother bringing a resume. The most important thing is your portfolio. It is a portfolio review. Most people bring their laptops with images of their work. You can zoom in to see details. Also, it's good in case they want to copy your images on a usb drive. Syracuse asked to do this of my work last year. They also asked to keep a copy of my artist statement. Bring your artist statement. I'd make several copies of your artist statement with your contact info. And you might want to go ahead and have a couple CDs with your images and statement on it - this is good in case they want to keep some of your images to show other faculty. If you already have print outs, you might want to bring those, as a back up in case there is a problem with your laptop. Schools I had my review with last year: SIAC, Syracuse, SMFA Good Luck!

Actually, just peeked... And Combined Media is for Installation and Video NOT Mixed Media or Collage. My work combines drawing and painting. It doesn't quite fit in just drawing or painting. And isn't very colorful. SO I'm not sure if I would submit for "Painting" or "Drawing". It's an entire series for my portfolio - but I'd say half would fall more into Painting and the other half more into Drawing. I'm applying for "Painting" programs at other schools but they are either Painting/Drawing or Painting/Studio Art.

Ah! I guess I missed it! Thanks!

Hey! I'm applying for MFA Painting for Fall 2011. My first year applying but have been looking into schools since undergrad. I graduated with my BFA in Painting 2006. I'm applying to Yale, Columbia, SMFA, and Syracuse. I have been thinking of possibly applying to another school... I looked at Hunter but they have separate categories when applying....and my work is mixed media drawing/painting.... So I don't know if I would submit to "Drawing" or "Painting". All the other schools are Studio Art or Drawing/Painting combined.

Hey! I'm applying for MFA Painting for Fall 2011. My first year applying but have been looking into schools since undergrad. I graduated with my BFA in Painting 2006. I'm applying to Yale, Columbia, SMFA, and Syracuse. I have been thinking of possibly applying to another school... I looked at Hunter but they have separate categories when applying....and my work is mixed media drawing/painting.... So I don't know if I would submit to "Drawing" or "Painting". All the other schools are Studio Art or Drawing/Painting combined.

I hired someone. He did it for free because he had never photographed artwork before and wanted the experience. He had a nice camera $2,000. But don't remember what kind it was? (as I'm not a photographer and that's why i hired someone!). But the photos are super high res and amazing. It took him a little while to do it - moving around the lighting and everything - because my work is so large and the nature of the materials. - but he figured it out. I found him on craigslist. I'd suggest posting on craigslist for a photographer and see who responds, look at portfolios, etc...or maybe get lucky with someone to do it free (or cheap) with a great camera and little experience. Good luck!