Visual Arts Assessments
For Incoming Lottery Students for the 2024-2025 School Year
(rising 8th & 9th graders submitting in-person)
[For current DSA 8th graders who are NOT in a VA class and want to pursue a VA concentration in HS,
SEE BELOW for how to submit]
Any Questions or Issues, Email: [email protected]
Assessment Requirements for:
- New to DSA students chosen in the Lottery
(submitted in-person at DSA on Assessment Night)
- Current DSA 8th grade students not in a VA Course
(submitted via shared Google folder - see below)
- New to DSA students chosen in the Lottery
(submitted in-person at DSA on Assessment Night)
- Current DSA 8th grade students not in a VA Course
(submitted via shared Google folder - see below)
8th & HS VISUAL ARTS (inc. Photography) Assessment Requirements
There are three levels of placement. Please prepare the following artworks:
A) Minimum requirement for ALL students (Art Fundamentals - 8th & HS):
B) If interested in placing in 2nd Level HS Foundations Course (Media & Design - 8th & HS), students should also submit the following:
An additional 4-6 Recent Artworks (within the last two years) for review Possible things to include would be:
C) If interested in placing in a Beginning Level in 2D, 3D, or Photo (HS only), students should also submit the following:
An additional 4-6 Recent Artworks (within the last two years) in their area of interest. This portfolio should demonstrate strong, independent explorations in the chosen media.:
There are three levels of placement. Please prepare the following artworks:
A) Minimum requirement for ALL students (Art Fundamentals - 8th & HS):
- SELF-PORTRAIT in PENCIL: Look in the mirror and spend 30-60 minutes drawing yourself the best that you can.
B) If interested in placing in 2nd Level HS Foundations Course (Media & Design - 8th & HS), students should also submit the following:
An additional 4-6 Recent Artworks (within the last two years) for review Possible things to include would be:
- Work from art classes at DSA or other venues. (No copied or traced drawings or cartoons.)
- Observational drawings (look at something and draw what you see) – tools, your dresser, a room in your house, mirror self-portrait, you own hands and feet, your backyard, or a family member.
- Work from a variety of media – painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, photography, etc.
C) If interested in placing in a Beginning Level in 2D, 3D, or Photo (HS only), students should also submit the following:
An additional 4-6 Recent Artworks (within the last two years) in their area of interest. This portfolio should demonstrate strong, independent explorations in the chosen media.:
- 2D – drawing, painting, collage, etc.
- 3D – sculpture in clay, wood, cardboard, wire, etc. Should include photos show at least two views.
- Photography – digital, traditional black & white darkroom, etc.
How to Submit Your Assessment Materials
Current DSA students (8th grade) who are not currently in a VA Course
(Instructional Video - See Below or Click Here)
Current DSA students (8th grade) who are not currently in a VA Course
(Instructional Video - See Below or Click Here)
- Photograph all the work (both 2D and 3D) that is required, including the self-portrait
- Move close so that your photograph only includes the artwork
- If sculptural work, have it in front of a neutral background (gray is best)
- For digital photographs, move to the next step
- Upload photographs to a Google folder titled as such: DSA-VA-Assessment-Lastname-Firstname
- Example: DSA-VA-Assessment-Jones-Daquan
- Share the folder with this email address: [email protected]
- Wait for a confirmation that the folder has been received
- Forward any questions to: [email protected]