We are pleased to publish our 2017-2018 Audition and Open House dates below. Please note, some school auditions require pre-registrations, audition tickets, or advance sign up. The High School of Art & Design's auditions and open houses do not require any form of sign up or preregistration. They are completely walk-in basis.
You MUST however, complete your High School application with your guidance counselor by December 1, 2017. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Reingold, Assistant Principal of Art, Architecture, Digital Media and CTE at ereingo@schools.nyc.gov or Mr. Brinegar, Audition Coordinator at jbrinegar@schools.nyc.gov
All students who have applied to the High School of Art and Design must attend an audition.
Our program choices are:
M60P = Commercial Art (Graphic Design, Cartooning, Animation, Illustration, Fashion, Digital Photography)
M60Q = Film/Video Production
M60N = Architectural Design
Commercial Art
Illustration, Graphic Design, Cartooning, Animation, Fashion Design, Digital Photography
Portfolio Guidelines:
What you could include (suggestions):
1. Drawings from observation (we always look for at least two)
2. Artwork may include the following:
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Abstract design
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Still life drawings
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Landscapes or Cityscapes
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Self portrait
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Photography
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Fashion designs
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Cartoons
3. Artwork done independently
4. Artwork done in school
5. Show a variety of media
6. Your sketchbook full of ideas and interests
The best portfolios have:
1. Neatly presented artwork
2. Art from observation
3. A sketchbook
4. 8-12 artworks (variety: portfolios should have different subject matter, not only one kind of drawing)
What you should bring on the day of our audition:
1. Your portfolio. Please do not overlook this component.
2. Letters of recommendation (optional)
3. Sharpened pencils
4. An eraser
5. A winning attitude!
Architectural Design
Program Information
The Architecture Department at the High School of Art & Design encourages students to develop skills, participate in the design process and generate a professional attitude towards learning and being an architect. We incorporate Interior Design, Landscape Architecture and Industrial Design. Students develop skills in drafting, designing, sketching, modeling and AutoCAD. Each project is coordinated between studio classes and computer technology. Students make CTE presentations, participate in competitions, hold internships and work with industry partnerships. The four-year CTE Architectural Design sequence concludes with a Neighborhood & Planning curriculum that is reflective of present day revitalization of community projects within our city. Our program is approved as a college preparatory class for students who are considering higher education at a university level.
Audition Information
Portfolio with 10-12 pieces of original artwork created from observation and students' own imagination with a diversity of subject matter and use of media (look at the suggestions for commercial art). Please include examples of line drawings as well as value studies of geometric shapes and form. You should also include a drawing of your neighborhood and a plan of your bedroom or your apartment. Three-dimensional pieces can be photographed. You will be required to draw from observation and memory.
Film/Video Production
Program Information
The Film/Video program is a comprehensive studio program in which students learn the practice and theory of movie making. Divided into six terms, students participate in the entire pre-production, production and post-production processes. The department is well-equipped, enabling all students to learn how to operate video cameras, professional lights, and boom microphones, through making short films. Students learn how to use professional scriptwriting software, create storyboards and shot lists, edit the footage they shoot using industry-standard non-linear editing software, and output their films onto DVD. In their final term, student focus on a substantial piece that is developed, produced, and edited over the final term. The Film Department puts on a film festival at the conclusion of each school year, showcasing the best of the student-made films.
Audition Information
Portfolio including:
1. Two storyboards (a minimum of ten frames each) depicting a short scene from your imagination. The frames can be either hand-drawn or photographs that you have taken yourself.
2. Also submit a 250-word essay describing your interest in filmmaking OR a short story from your imagination.
3. Optional: Also submit a sample of any film or films you have participated in. Films should be submitted on a USB thumb drive, in .mov or .mp4 format. Please make sure to describe your role in the making of the film on a separate sheet of paper. At the audition students will be given a description of a short action and will be asked to draw a storyboard.
Admission Criteria
Please click this link to download the admission criteria for the 2018-2019 school year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is preregistration required for an audition?
A: No. Our auditions run according to last name. As long as the middle school guidance counselor enters the student’s application and program choices into the Student Enrollment Management System (SEMS), their name will appear on a list for our auditions. While it is not necessary to preregister for an audition date, if the student’s application and program choice is not entered into SEMS, we cannot consider the student for placement.
Q: What is SEMS?
A: SEMS is the Student Enrollment Management System that guidance counselors use to enter high school applications and program choices. These choices are private for families, and only you and your student(s) know what you enter. Once guidance counselors complete the information, we receive a list of potential candidates that we can anticipate for auditions.
Q: How do I know when to show up for my audition?
A: All auditions are scheduled according to last name and program choice. For example, if my name is Joe Smith and I would like to audition for Commercial Art, I would show up with my portfolio at 9:30 am on Saturday, December 9.
Q: My student is really strong in film, but doesn’t want to audition for Commercial Art. When should he/she audition?
A: There are specific auditions for our film program. November 12th, 19th and December 17th are the designated film dates. Additional make-up dates for film are January 7th and 14th.
Q: My student wants to audition for Commercial Art, but has no observational drawings. What should we do?
A: Drawing from life/observation is a critical skill necessary for a rigorous arts education. It is highly suggested that the students include at least two drawings from observation in their portfolio.
Q: Do you conduct workshops for middle school students to help develop their portfolios?
A: Yes. We hold workshops specifically designed to help students who need observational drawing time and portfolio development. The workshop times and dates are posted on our website here: http://www.artanddesignhs.org/middle_school_portfolio_workshops
Q: What happens the day of the audition?
A: Students arrive on the date and time of their audition. All auditions start at 9:30 am. Parents can either wait in the auditorium or return after the audition is complete, usually around 2 hours. Students complete their audition, portfolio review and interview, then parents can pick up their students.
Q: Can I accompany my child to the audition room?
A: We completely understand wanting to be with your student while they audition. However, in order to keep the experience student-centered and focused, we provide the auditorium for you to wait until the audition is complete.
Q: We are out of town on our scheduled audition date and time. Is there a make-up date?
A: Yes. January 7 and 14 are the two make-up dates for all programs.
Q: What happens after the audition?
A: The auditions are scored and portfolio reviews are complete. We send our information to the Office of High School Enrollment, who generate offers based on family choices and student performance. Please keep in mind this process is specific to audition schools.
Q: Does the school keep my child’s portfolio?
A: No. The portfolio review occurs during the audition. All students retain their portfolios at the end of the audition.