Get creative feedback from creative institutions
National Portfolio Days are annual events held in multiple locations across the United States, Canada and Europe. They are designed to provide a unique opportunity for you to meet individually with professional representatives of accredited colleges and universities and receive valuable feedback and guidance on your portfolio before you submit it as part of your application. Not all members attend all events. Visit nationalportfolioday.org for attendees.
No admission decisions or scholarship awards will be offered to you at National Portfolio Days. Some college and university representatives may accept your portfolio as the visual portion of your application. Others have restrictions that prohibit them from making a definitive portfolio decision at the time of your review. All representatives will be happy to discuss their specific programs of study and provide answers to questions about the availability of scholarships and financial aid.
You will not find National Portfolio Days to be an examination or competition, the events are about an exchange of information. The representatives want to learn about you, your work, and your postsecondary plans, all while informing you about their college or university and application requirements. These events may be the first time you have been in an environment with so many people in one place who all share a powerful commitment to art and design. Use this as an opportunity to be inspired, to gain advice as to how to improve or present your portfolio, and to experience a small taste of what it is like to attend a professional art and design program.
Representatives from OCAD U will take part in several of the online and in-person National Portfolio Day Events. Chat with an OCAD U expert, learn about the admissions process and requirements, show your work and have it critiqued. No admission decisions or scholarship awards are offered at National Portfolio Days.
IN-PERSON
- Montreal, QC - Monday, October 28, 2024
- Toronto, ON - Saturday November 2nd, 2024
- Syracuse, NY - Sunday, November 3rd, 2024
- Vancouver, BC - Saturday November 16th, 2024
ONLINE
A portfolio of visual artwork that includes your best and most recent work, but it can also include works in progress, sketchbooks, and tear sheets. Don’t hesitate to explain how you develop your ideas and where you want to go with them. Often, sharing the process of arriving at the completed work is as valuable as simply presenting finished products. You will hear many different opinions about your work that will be reflective of the admission requirements of each school. Therefore, we urge you to discuss your work with as many colleges/universities as possible and to bring no more than 15 works. Your portfolio can be presented as original work or on screen, but make note wifi may not be available at all locations. Students who are not prepared to show a portfolio may attend to gather information from college/university representatives.
Each review is 10 minutes long and is with an OCAD U portfolio expert. You can also sign up for appointments with other participating art & design schools around the world. You will want get your best and most recent work together in a multi-page pdf. You'll also want to include work in progress and sketchbooks. Check out these FAQs for more information.
Yes! There are virtual National Portfolio Day Events! The National Portfolio Day Association has created online events to support students who may not be able to attend an in-person event. First, you’ll register for free, online. You’ll receive a reminder just before the event date you’ve chosen to attend and on the day of the event, you will simply log in to the online event platform.
To register for the events, visit the National Portfolio Day website. Participate in any of the National Portfolio Day events between now and May 2025. Representatives from OCAD U will be in attendance at select events.
The National Portfolio Day Association (NPDA) was created in 1978 solely for the organization and planning of National Portfolio Days. The Association consists of representatives that hold regional accreditation and accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), or Substantial Equivalency status. NPDA is the only organization of its kind, and the membership represents the highest standard of visual arts education available in the world.
Portfolio Resources & Tips
