We are thrilled that you are auditioning for The Chicago Academy for the Arts. Please remember: our number one goal is for you to be successful. That means that when you have questions, please ask them! You can email Department Chair Margy Stover at any time for more clarification.
Preliminary Audition Requirements:
Applicants must create an Online Application to submit their preliminary audition.
1. Student Introduction Video: (30 seconds - 1 minute)
Name, Grade, Current School.
Why are you applying to The Chicago Academy for the Arts?
Brief explanation of previous artistic experience.
2. Portfolio Requirements
Self Portrait (from direct observation in a mirror, not a photo).
What you see while looking out your window.
A section of your room, including your bed.
A pair of shoes (from direct observation, not a photo).
Something from your imagination.
Optional: you are welcome to submit additional artwork to support your portfolio. We recommend compiling your additional pieces into a PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation and uploading it to your application as a PDF.
3. Artwork Analysis
Select one of the approved artworks below and answer the following five questions. While you may go see the work in person at The Art Institute of Chicago, you can answer the following questions by looking at the piece online at www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artists. Your response should be no more than one typed page. Please submit your response in PDF format.
Questions:
1. Describe the composition of the piece including the overall organization of elements?
2. Is there an illusion of space or movement in the composition? How is color being used?
3. How does the form of the artwork mirror the content (meaning) of the work?
4. Why did you select this work? What do you find interesting?
5. What questions do you have about this artwork?
Live Audition Requirements:
Applicants who pass their preliminary audition are invited to attend a live audition. The Visual Arts Department live audition consists of a portfolio review, a discussion of student artwork, and a departmental interview. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their work in detail and their previous experience with the visual arts, i.e. mediums interests, classes taken, etc. Your work is evaluated on technical skill, use of composition, and the degree of difficulty of the individual works.
Approved Artworks:
Artist: Willem de Kooning
Artwork title: Excavation, 1950
Artist: Jasper Johns
Artwork title: Corpse and Mirror II, 1974-75
Artist: Agnes Martin
Artwork title: Untitled #12, 1977
Artist: Glenn Ligon
Artwork title: Stranger in the Village #13, 1998
Artist: Kiki Smith
Artwork title: Blood Pool, 1992
Artist: Kerry James Marshall
Artwork Title: Africa Restored (Cheryl as Cleopatra), 2003
Artist: Eva Hesse
Artwork Title: Hang Up, 1966
Artist: Edward Hopper
Artwork title: Nighthawks, 1942
Artist: Cindy Sherman
Artwork Title: Untitled #92, 1981
Artist: Alberto Giacometti
Artwork Title: Walking Man II, 1960
We look forward to working with you soon! Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Margy Stover
Visual Arts Department Chair
mstover@chicagoartsacademy.org