Sophomore BA/BFA Portfolio Review
Students who wish to earn a BA or BFA degree in Art* need to pass the SVS Portfolio Review. This review is required for graduation.
A student must have completed work in the four (4) main Foundations courses before submitting a portfolio (they may be currently enrolled in those classes the semester they submit). Students must also provide a written statement along with the portfolio.
These are the required courses:
ART_VS 1020 - Introduction to Visual Studies
ART_VS 1030 – 2D Materials and Methods
ART_VS 1040 – 3D Materials and Methods
ART_VS 1050 – Drawing Materials and Methods
Students may include additional artwork created outside of class or from classes beyond the three required courses, but that is entirely optional.
For more information on the portfolio, view the Portfolio Review Overview Video embedded on this page. For any further questions or concerns, email Professor Matt Ballou Who administers the SVS Portfolio Review.
*Graphic Design majors have an additional Portfolio Review. Please email Professor Ric Wilson for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: “Who has to submit a Portfolio Review?”
Answer: If you are an art major in the School of Visual Studies, pursuing a BA or BFA degree in an Art Area – disciplines like Ceramics, Drawing, Fibers, Painting, Photography, or Printmaking – then you are required to complete the Review.
Students majoring in Art History, Digital Storytelling, Film Studies and Graphite Design DO NOT have to complete the SVS BA & BFA Art Portfolio Review.
The Review process is designed to be completed after students have finished the foundations courses. Students should aim to complete it in the Spring semester oftheir Sophomore Year.
Question: “What are the required courses?”
Answer: These are the required courses:
• ART_VS 1020 – Introduction to Visual Studies
• ART_VS 1030 – 2D Materials and Methods
• ART_VS 1040 – 3D Materials and Methods
• ART_VS 1050 – Drawing Materials and Methods
You should document all of your work in these classes with careful photographs, not only because it's good professional practice, but also because you'll need high quality examples of the required projects for the Portfolio Review.
Question: “What are the required projects?”
Answer: The required projects - two each from 2D and 3D and three from Drawing - are meant to demonstrate your grasp of basic techniques and concepts.
For both BA and BFA Art Majors:
• ARTVS_1030 2D Materials and Methods: Line Project, or Equivalent
• ARTVS_1030 2D Materials and Methods: Parts/Puzzle Project or Narrative Color Project, or Equivalent
• ARTVS_1040 3D Materials and Methods: Woodshop Proficiency Project
• ARTVS_1040 3D Materials and Methods: Materials Transformation Project
• ARTVS_1050 Drawing Materials and Methods (or the 1060 Digital Drawing Methods Equivalent) – Value and Volume Project
• ARTVS_1050 Drawing Materials and Methods (or the 1060 Digital Drawing Methods Equivalent) – Observation and Invention
• ARTVS_1050 Drawing Materials and Methods (or the 1060 Digital Drawing Methods Equivalent) – Multi-source Project
For BFA Art Majors only:
• A selection of personal artwork showing their interests, focus, and development of conceptual and technical skills.
• A statement of interest declaring an intent to pursue the BFA degree.
Question: “What do I do if I don't have an artwork that meets one of the required projects?"
Answer: This is a common issue. Sometimes instructors don't word assignments exactly like the portfolio review project description. Other times students lose a particular project. As long as the work submitted corresponds to the learning objectives of the required project, it's acceptable. You’re always allowed to ask questions and/or remake a project.
Question: “Will I have to write anything for the Portfolio Review?”
Answer: If you’re planning to earn the BFA degree, yes. One of the most important parts of the Portfolio Review is the written statement. Though not intended to be a long piece of writing, this will give you an opportunity to reflect on the beginning of your adventures in art and create a statement of interest. It’s where you declare that you’d like to aim for the BFA degree. BA students may write a statement, but it is not required.
Question: “What is the difference between a BA and a BFA degree?”
Answer: The primary difference is that the BA is a general liberal arts course of study, which includes fewer studio courses, less specialization in a particular art discipline, and has a language requirement (French, Spanish, German, etc.).
The BFA is considered a track for students who think they’ll go on to further professional-level study in an Art discipline. The BFA does NOT have a language requirement, but it does involve more studio courses. Additionally, it provides more opportunities for special focus and elective courses. You can talk to your advisor or the current Director of Undergraduate Studies for more information, and be sure to look at the Course Catalog (https://catalog.missouri.edu/) for more on the BA/BFA offerings and requirements.
Question: “What’s the next step?”
Answer: Every year in the Spring semester a special Portfolio Review event will take place, and a Canvas site will be opened for those who have completed the main foundations courses. You will contact me, Professor Ballou, to be added to this site. Plan to attend the Portfolio Review event in the George Caleb Bingham Gallery, and then submit your projects on the Canvas site.
Question: “When will the Portfolio Review event happen?”
Answer: We will post information about it around the school as well as email the student body about the exact date. It will be early in the semester, probably in February, with a Portfolio submission deadline in the second week of May. You’ll have most of the semester to get your materials in order.
Question: “Who should I contact with any questions about the Portfolio Review Process?”
Answer: Professor Matt Ballou, Portfolio Review Committee Chair, at balloum@missouri.edu