Students who wish to showcase their extraordinary talent in the fine or performing arts may submit an Optional Arts Portfolio in one of the following areas: Art Practice, Dance, Music, or Theater and Performance Studies.
Deadlines
Applicants must submit both their application and portfolio by the early deadlines listed below:
Decision Plan | Application | Materials for Arts Portfolio |
Restrictive Early Action | October 15 | October 20 |
Regular Decision | December 5 | December 10 |
Transfer | March 15 | March 20 |
STANDARD DEADLINES
Restrictive Early Action: Nov 1
Regular Decision: Jan 5
Transfer: Mar 15
Submission Steps
Select "Yes" to the application question, "Do you intend to submit an Arts Portfolio?"
Submit the Common Application by the applicable early deadline. Within 48 hours of receiving the application, Stanford will email instructions to access the Stanford Portal.
Log in to the Stanford Portal, scroll to the "Optional Arts Portfolio" section below the checklist, and submit the Arts Portfolio form. After submission, a link to upload portfolio materials will be provided.
Use the provided link to upload Arts Portfolio materials by the applicable early deadline.
Requirements for Arts Portfolio
Checklist for Arts Applicants
Submit online by the application deadline:
Common Application
$90 nonrefundable application fee or fee waiver request
Submit online by the arts portfolio deadline:
Stanford Arts Portfolio Form (including Arts Résumé)
Arts Materials
Submit online by the standard deadline:
Self-reported Testing (not required for 2023-2024)
Official Transcript(s) Two Teacher Evaluations
School Report and Counselor Recommendation (first-year applicants only)
College Report (transfer applicants only)
Submission Instructions
Select “Yes” to the application question, “Do you intend to submit an Arts Portfolio?”
Submit your Common Application by the applicable early deadline. After Stanford receives your application, they will email you (within 48 hours) with instructions on how to access your Stanford portal.
Login to your Stanford portal and submit the Arts Portfolio form, which will generate an upload link.
Use the link to upload your Arts Portfolio materials by the applicable early deadline.
Art Practice: Required Portfolio Elements
Painting, Drawing & Printmaking
Submit exactly 10 slides of two-dimensional work demonstrating strong ideas and skills or a background in visual art practice beyond class assignments (inventive personal imagery, abstractions, difficult narratives, etc.). Work must be independently completed by the applicant.
Academic landscapes or figurative studies may be included but should not be the majority of submissions.
Do not submit PDFs showing multiple works. Each artwork must be submitted individually.
Photography
Submit no more than 10 art images from the past two years.
Photographs will be evaluated based on aesthetic and technical merit, and must demonstrate both a meaningful connection with the subject(s) and the commitment to exploring and developing an individual vision as an artist.
Sculpture
Submit no more than 10 images of three-dimensional works in any or all of the following: mixed media, wood, metal, clay, installation or found objects.
They do not accept portfolios that include ceramics, architecture, or product design submissions.
Experimental Media: Sound, Video, Interactive, Art & Science
Submit no more than 10 files in total. This may include up to three excerpts of no more than two minutes each for time-based works, and images as appropriate.
If the work is collaborative, please list the team credits and your role in it.
If your work is interactive (website, installation, electronic), please submit a video showing it in action. Links and URLs will not be reviewed independently.
NOTE: Mixed media portfolios are permitted but not recommended. The following types of work will not be evaluated: video games and apps which are not intended as artworks, educational or promotional videos, architecture, ceramics, graphic design, product design, website design, advertising posters, PSAs.
Arts Portfolio Requirements FAQ
Who should consider submitting an Arts Portfolio?
Any student who wishes to highlight their extraordinary talent in the fine or performing arts is welcome to submit an Arts Portfolio. Strong Arts Portfolios demonstrate outstanding levels of skill and achievement.
If an Arts Portfolio is submitted, is the applicant required to major in the arts at Stanford?
No, submitting an Arts Portfolio does not obligate the applicant to major in the arts. Students who do not submit an Arts Portfolio may still study or participate in the arts at Stanford and are encouraged to do so.
Do all application materials need to be submitted by the early deadline?
No, transcripts, school reports, and teacher evaluations may be submitted by the standard application deadline.
Can a letter of recommendation from an arts instructor be included with the portfolio?
Students submitting a portfolio in Music or Theater and Performance Studies may include a letter of recommendation. Specific guidelines for these letters are provided in the Music and Theater and Performance Studies instructions. This letter is optional, and portfolios without one will not be disadvantaged. To include a recommendation letter:
Select “I’d like to include an arts letter of recommendation” in the Arts Portfolio form.
Provide the instructor’s contact information and submit the form.
The recommender will receive an email with instructions for uploading their letter.
The recommender’s deadline is the same as the arts portfolio deadline, and extensions cannot be provided. Letters of recommendation are not accepted for Art Practice and Dance portfolios.
Source: Stanford University
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