Visual Arts and Design

Northwestern Polytechnic does not require a portfolio for entrance into first year.

To be considered for admission to the Visual Arts and Design program, applicants will need to present an Alberta Education High School Diploma or equivalent, with English 30-1 or equivalent.

Mature Student Admission

Applicants may be considered for admission to the Visual Arts and Design program if they have been out of school for one full year, have English 30-1 or are admissible to EN0130 as determined by Northwestern Polytechnic placement assessments.  Successful completion of EN0130 must be achieved in the first semester. If applicants do not present English 30-1 for admission, they may not be able to complete all requirements for the first year in two semesters.

Advanced Standing

Students wishing to apply for admission to the Visual Arts and Design program with advanced standing must have successfully completed one year of art study at the post-secondary level. Students must present an official transcript of academic achievement, an art portfolio, and a letter of intent. Students may be interviewed prior to admission and their portfolio must be submitted prior to June 1 for the year in which they are applying.

The art portfolio should contain 15 to 20 current works (no older than 1.5 years) of original two-dimensional art. The artwork should be presented in a proper portfolio folder with the student's name on each piece and numbered on the front lower right corner. The portfolio may include both traditional and digital work. All digital work must be cross platform. Items in your portfolio should be specified in a printed reference sheet that includes a number of the art, date of the work, title of the piece, and medium. (Sample portfolio label: “Nature Redtones, Acrylic on Canvas, April 2012”). Northwestern Polytechnic will take every precaution to protect the student's portfolio but will not be responsible for unforeseen damage or loss of portfolios.

The student's letter of intent should be a one page statement about why they want to be in the Visual Arts and Design Program. The student may want to address their art background, areas of interest or activities in art, their career and educational goals, and anything else that they feel is important that Northwestern Polytechnic should know about them as a prospective student. Short listed applicants may require a final interview with the selection committee.  This will be set as early as possible after the portfolio review. A phone interview can be arranged if distance from Northwestern Polytechnic is a problem.