How to Create an Attention-Grabbing Portfolio

Portfolios are a curated collection of your best work, showcasing your skills, experience, and talents. Whether you hope to become an actor, visual artist, or other creative professional, you’ll need a portfolio to apply to college. This tool can capture the admissions committee’s attention, showcase your abilities, and elevate yourself above the competition. 

When organizing your portfolio, think of it as telling your artistic story. Arrange your work to show your growth and unique style. Aspiring actors should include a professional headshot capturing their personality, an acting resume highlighting relevant experience and skills, and a demo reel featuring their best on-camera work. Visual artists should highlight 12-20 of their strongest pieces, a range of skills and mediums, and their ability to solve creative problems.

Tips for your portfolio prep

As you begin to research colleges with the performing or visual arts major you’d like to study, keep these tips in mind:

• Start early: Begin collecting your best work as soon as possible, ideally from 9th grade onward.
• Quality over quantity: Choose the best pieces to showcase your skills, flair, and creativity.
• Show range: Include works demonstrating different techniques, styles, and mediums.
• Highlight growth: Organize your portfolio to show your artistic development over time.
• Follow guidelines: Carefully read and adhere to each college’s specific portfolio requirements.
• Get feedback: Ask teachers, mentors, or professionals in your field to review your portfolio.
• Include a statement: Write a brief artist’s statement explaining your passion, drive, and creative process.
• Keep it current: Update your portfolio regularly with your latest and best work.
• Be authentic: Let your unique voice and style shine through in your selections.

Advice from an expert

“Each program looks for different things in a portfolio, so read the application carefully! In general, professors expect portfolios to showcase the best representation of you as an artist. Programs often ask for at least one fully developed project showing how you explored an idea over time to see the breadth and depth of your practice,” said Lauren Onkey, director of the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at George Washington University. “The most important thing is to present what you feel is your strongest work within your most recent projects,” she said. 

Remember: your portfolio reflects you as an artist. Make it engaging, professional, and true to your vision. A strong portfolio positions you well to impress admissions committees and take that first step toward a career in the performing or visual arts.

Want more tips and insights? Check out our full Guide to Performing & Visual Arts here.