What does a studio art grad portfolio look like?

[artistdinosaur]

I am preparing my portfolio for late winter submission in an MFA studio art program. I want to stay in my Chicago area, which shouldn't be hard since there are a number of good schools. My first question to all those who are already accepted into grad programs of their choice; What do you put in the portfolio? If you have just finished your BFA, then what do you have besides your senior year show stuff? Or, if like me, you have been out there working for many years at as many art-related jobs as possible, what will assure your chances of getting looked at?

I will attend the grad portfolio day that is in November here. I need to get some ideas before I even do this. Advice?

I have many paintings in series, realistic, and figurative paintings on canvas. I have very little gallery experience to put on a resume. I have only been in 2 curated shows. And what I showed is probably not going to get a look at a serious MFA program. So it needs to be something else. I have a lot of work that I could possibly put out there. I am not a "Sunday painter" but I have been kind of a recluse. Besides hanging out at the local colleges, I haven't made many connections in my local art world.

Help me, I am new to this. I welcome advice.

[TheStranger]

I am applying for an MFA program in 2012 so my opinions are strictly from one looking in as well but I've been doing my research. The art you finished for your BFA several years ago should be seen as your old work...unless you had a solid professional series of work straight out of college for your BFA. You should begin a series of new work---work which speaks of you as an emerging artist and not simply as the art student you were as an undergrad and the art you made as an undergrad. The only real exception is if you knew you wanted to go to grad school a couple years before graduating and worked your butt off creating the best series you could to specifically use to apply with right after.

Your best chance of getting looked at is by making artwork that catches their attention. They literally click through an art pieces on their projector every second. *click....click....click....click* They go through hundreds of thousands of pieces. Why will they stop for yours? They may ask you questions you may not have even asked yourself yet, such as "How does your work fit in with the contemporary art scene?" (Like Columbia might ask). Is that what you even want? Or do you prefer to stay traditional? (Like The New York Academy may prefer). These questions will guide you to choose which schools you want to apply to so you are honest with yourself and give yourself a real shot. Also,if you already have a lot of work in series, you should work on your Artist Statement and edit it over and over until it's the best you can get it.

Grad portfolio day is a great way for you to hear honest critiques of your work and to see which schools give a damn about what your making...because remember: You may view painting and living as nearly synonymous and take personal pride in your work, but that doesn't mean too much to the art schools. They want more substance...passion is a given to apply. These portfolio reviews will give you the most clear view and since you say you have a lot of work already, you may want to be selective of your best which fit into a body of work you can articulate for. However, I advise making a new series if it's been several years since your BFA. That being said, there are a few people here who are very much qualified to critique artwork and suggest schools which fit your style and artistic philosophies. You can always upload images here (probably a low enough res so no one steals them) for some community critiques here. You may get reassurance or you may get a reality check.

Good luck! And if you can, make your own luck =)

Michael

[michaelwebster]

I don't really know the painting departments at other Chicago schools, but I do know that there aren't many students doing figurative or naturalistic painting at SAIC. Just a heads up in case you were thinking of applying there. Even though its not Chicago, I have a friend at New York Academy of Art that is a good one for people interested in painting the figure.