Open House and Audition Information
The dates below are for prospective students and their families for the 2020-2021 school year.
All dates have a 5:30pm session and 6:30pm session
Thursday October 3, 2019
Wednesday October 16, 2019
Friday November 1, 2019
Tuesday November 12, 2019
The process for admission is as follows: Prospective students and their families attend an open house during the October-November, 2019 time period. The students then audition for our school in November-December, 2019. The results of those auditions are sent to the High School Enrollment Office in early 2020. Their office then generates offer letters of acceptance to those students offered a seat in one of our programs, to begin at Art and Design in the Fall of 2020.
All students who have applied to the High School of Art and Design must attend an audition.
Auditions 2019: (no advanced registration necessary)
**Arrive by 8:30 AM, please plan for travel time and delays.**
Location: 245 East 56th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues
All boroughs, Students’ last names A-L: Saturday November 30
All boroughs make –up for Students’ last names A-L: Sunday December 1
All boroughs, Students’ last names M-Z: Saturday December 14
All boroughs make –up for Students’ last names M-Z: Sunday December 15
Our program choices are:
M60P: Commercial Art (Cartooning, Illustration and Fashion Design)
M60N: Architectural Design
M60Q: Film and Video Production
M60R: Digital Arts (Graphic design, Animation and Digital Photography)
Commercial Art
Illustration, Cartooning, Fashion Design
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!
Digital Art
Animation, Graphic Design and 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:
Abstract design
Still life drawings
Landscapes or Cityscapes
Self portrait
Photography
Fashion designs
Cartoons
Animation characters
Digital animations (please bring along on a flash drive to share)
Digital photographs (can either be printed, on an iPad or on a flash drive)
Poster designs
Logo designs
Graphic work (can be presented on an iPad, flash drive or hard copy)
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 HERE to download the 2019-2020 admission criteria for the next audition cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is preregistration required for an audition?
A: No. Our auditions run according to last name. As long as the application and program choices are entered into MySchools 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 MySchools, we cannot consider the student for placement.
Q: What is MySchools?
A: MySchools is the system used to enter high school applications and program choices. NYC families can use MySchools to apply to public schools from Kindergarten to High School. Create an account, then explore your student’s personalized school options and get guidance on the admissions process from start to finish. These choices are private for families, and only you and your student(s) know what you enter. Once this information is complete, 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. The current audition cycle for 2018 (for admission to the 2019-2020 school year) is posted on our website.
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. This season's workshops have concluded.
Q: What about Film/Video workshops? My student wants to learn how to storyboard - what should we do?
A: The Film Video department is offers FREE workshops on drawing storyboards each audition cycle.
Q: What happens the day of the audition?
A: Students arrive on the date and time of their audition. All auditions start at 9:00 am sharp. 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: Make up dates are customarily offered for extenuating circumstances. Make up dates are posted along with the regular audition dates on our website.
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 then generates 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.