Students wishing to highlight their exceptional talent in the fine or performing arts have the option to submit an Arts Portfolio in one of the following areas: Art Practice, Dance, Music, or Theater and Performance Studies.
Deadlines
Applicants should ensure that both their application and arts portfolio are submitted by the following early deadlines:
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" in response to the application question, "Do you intend to submit an Arts Portfolio?"
Submit your Common Application by the applicable early deadline. Within 48 hours, Stanford will send instructions via email on how to access the Stanford Portal.
Log in to the Stanford Portal, navigate to the "Optional Arts Portfolio" section below the checklist, and complete the Arts Portfolio form. After submission, you will receive a link to upload your portfolio materials.
Use the provided link to upload your Arts Portfolio materials by the applicable early deadline.
Arts Portfolio Requirements
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 Portfolio 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” in response to the question, “Do you intend to submit an Arts Portfolio?”
Submit your Common Application by the applicable early deadline. Stanford will email you within 48 hours with instructions on how to access your Stanford portal.
Log in to the Stanford portal and complete the Arts Portfolio form, which will generate a link for uploading your materials.
Use the provided 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.
Showcase strong ideas, skills, and visual art practice beyond class assignments (e.g., inventive personal imagery, abstractions, complex narratives).
All work must be independently created by the applicant.
While academic landscapes or figurative studies can be included, they should not constitute the majority of your submission.
Each artwork must be submitted individually; do not use PDFs to show multiple works.
Photography
Submit up to 10 art images taken within the past two years.
Photographs will be assessed on both aesthetic and technical merit.
Submissions should reflect a meaningful connection with the subject(s) and demonstrate a commitment to developing a unique artistic vision.
Sculpture
Submit up to 10 images of three-dimensional works.
Acceptable media includes mixed media, wood, metal, clay, installation, or found objects.
Portfolios should not include ceramics, architecture, or product design submissions.
Experimental Media: Sound, Video, Interactive, Art & Science
Submission Limit: No more than 10 files in total.
Time-Based Works: Include up to three excerpts, each no longer than two minutes, and images as needed.
Collaborative Work: List team credits and specify your role.
Interactive Work: For interactive projects (websites, installations, electronic media), submit a video demonstrating the work in action. Note that links and URLs will not be reviewed independently.
Note: While mixed media portfolios are allowed, they are not recommended. The following types of work will not be evaluated: video games and apps not intended as artworks, educational or promotional videos, architecture, ceramics, graphic design, product design, website design, advertising posters, and PSAs.