Apply - Studio Art and Art Education
For students interested in Art Education, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Illustration, Jewelry and Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture and Visual Studies only.
(Students in Art History, Film & Video Production and Photography students DO NOT need a portfolio to be admitted as a major.)
Admission to Grand Valley State University does not guarantee access or admission to the Art Education and Studio Art degree programs offered by the Department of Visual and Media Arts. The student is responsible for applying to the department in order to become a major.
Application Steps
The emphasis areas listed above require prospective students to apply for the Department. Students pursuing the BA degree in Art History, Photography or Film & Video Production do not need to apply to the department. (To declare your major in Art History, Photography or Film & Video Production, go to myBanner.)
STEP 1: APPLY TO GVSU
Students should be admitted to GVSU before applying for admission to the department. After being accepted by GVSU, the university will provide you with a student G number that will be needed, along with your password, to apply online.
STEP 2: Complete your application for the Department
Congratulations! You are now a GVSU Laker For a Lifetime. Once accepted to the University, you must submit an application to the Department of Visual and Media Arts. We will mail an application form to you, or you can fill out the application online
Step 3: Schedule a Portfolio Review Date
You may bring your portfolio in on one of our review dates, send us your portfolio on a CD, or provide us with the url to an online portfolio. For specific information on the review process and how to prepare your portfolio visit gvsu.edu/art/apply
Step 4: Entrance Portfolio Review
When your review date comes, you will bring your portfolio, have a tour of the facilities and meet some of the faculty. Parents are also welcome to attend the tour of the facility and speak with our faculty, who can clarify any questions or concerns they may have.
Step 5: Review Results
You will receive your results within two weeks. If you have been accepted at Grand Valley State University and the Department of Visual and Media Arts, be sure to complete your registration then.
Application to the Department
Determining your status
See the admission table below for more information and to determine your status: freshman, transfer, or internal student. The type of application will depend on your status at GVSU and whether or not you have a portfolio of works. Should you have questions, please contact us through email.
Apply Online
To apply online, click the button below. Once you've filled out the online form and and submitted it, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive the confirmation email within a few minutes, please call the Visual and Media Arts Office at (616) 331-3486.
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Status |
WITH a Portfolio |
WITHOUT a Portfolio |
|---|---|---|
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High School |
Register for Foundation classes to create a portfolio and subsequently apply as an internal student. More info... |
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GVSU Student |
Register for Foundation classes to create a portfolio and subsequently apply as an internal student. More info... |
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Transfer Student |
Register for Foundation classes to create a portfolio and subsequently apply as an internal student. More info... |
Freshman Application
This application is for high-school students (current, graduate or GED certificate) who have been admitted to GVSU and have a portfolio of works. There are two ways to apply to the department: online or by printed application.
Required Application Materials
The following materials are required for a freshman application:
- Completed Application Form
- Portfolio of work (actual work, CD/DVD, or online portfolio)
- ACT/SAT Score
- High School GPA
- High School Graduation Date or GED Certificate Date
- List of Extracurricular Activities
- Essay: 250–500 words. Select from two topics:
- Why would you like to study the visual arts?, or
- Discuss a work of art or creative endeavor that has influenced you, and explain that influence.
Apply in Print
To apply using a printed application, see below. The following forms are required for those not applying online. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure that your application is complete and materials arrive at the Calder Art Center office by your chosen portfolio deadline. Within two weeks of the portfolio review, a letter will be mailed to you with the results of your application.
Download Freshman Application Form (.pdf)
Internal Application
This application is for GVSU students with a major other than Art Education or Studio Art who have been admitted to GVSU and have a portfolio of works. There are two ways to apply to the department: online or by printed application.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS
The following materials are required for internal students:
- Completed Application Form
- (actual work if building a portfolio; actual work, CD/DVD, or online portfolio)
APPLY ONLINE
To apply online, click the button below. Once you've filled out the online form and and submitted it, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive the confirmation email within a few minutes, please call the Art Office at (616) 331-3486.
APPLY IN PRINT
To apply using a printed application, see below. The following forms are required for those not applying online. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure that your application is complete and materials arrive at the Calder Art Center office by your chosen portfolio deadline. Within two weeks of the portfolio review, a letter will be mailed to you with the results of your application.
Download Internal Application Form (.pdf)
Transfer Application
This application is for Transfer students currently not attending GVSU who have been admitted and have a portfolio of works. There are two ways to apply to the department: online or by printed application.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS
The following materials are required for transfer students:
- Completed Application Form
- Portfolio of work (actual work, CD/DVD, or online portfolio)
- Transcripts from other colleges/universities attended
- GPA from previous colleges/universities
APPLY ONLINE
To apply online, click the button below. Once you've filled out the online form and and submitted it, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive the confirmation email within a few minutes, please call the Art Office at (616) 331-3486.
APPLY IN PRINT
To apply using a printed application, see below. The following forms are required for those not applying online. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure that your application is complete and materials arrive at the Calder Art Center office by your chosen portfolio deadline. Within two weeks of the portfolio review, a letter will be mailed to you with the results of your application.
Download Transfer Application Form (.pdf)
Computer Recommendations
The Department of Visual and Media Arts currently does not have a computer requirement. However, recommended specifications are in the document below.
Download Computer Recommendations Guide