Visual Art (Grades 6 - 12)

Audition Tasks

Art Portfolio (submitted digitally): Please showcase work that you have completed within the past year. Also, include a variety of subject matter. Subject matter refers to the subject you depict in your work. Examples include, but are not limited to, portraits/faces, animals, architecture, still lifes, works from imagination, nature scenes, etc.

Grades 6-7 must include a total of 3 to 5 art pieces:

Required: Landscape or Cityscape
Required: Eye or facial feature
1 to 3 pieces selected from: 6–12 Visual Art Assignment Menu (includes instructions)

Do not copy or use any other artist’s work. All work submitted must be your own original work, may NOT be works created in art camps or outside of school workshops.

Grades 8–12 must include a total of 7 to 9 art pieces:

Include only original pieces in a variety of media and subject matter. (See Suggested Media and Subject Matter List).

Required: Self-portrait.
Two pieces selected from 6–12 Visual Art Assignment Menu (includes instructions)
4 to 6 additional pieces in a variety of media and subject matter

2 On-Demand Still-Life: Students will complete an on-demand graphite pencil drawing of a still life in 45 minutes at school. Paper, #2 wooden pencils, a large eraser, blender, and an ebony pencil will be provided in a kit.

3. Grades 8–12 only -- On-Demand Interview Questions: All students will answer 3 to 4 standardized and content-specific interview questions. Interviews will be video recorded and are not scored, but are used as supporting evidence for gifted identification.

Options Menu

Photography

Using a digital camera, smart phone, or film camera to capture a moment in time. Make sure your main subject is not in the center of the photograph. Be mindful of the time of day or place in which you take your photograph and consider how the lighting might help you create a more interesting photo.

Requirements: Upload your photograph as a .jpg or .png file as other file types may be inaccessible. If you create an image using a film camera, you will need to photograph the image to upload OR scan the photograph to upload.

Sculpture

Using any material of your choice, create a sculpture that can be viewed from multiple sides and is structurally stable. Some potential materials you may choose to work with include paper, clay, wire, found objects, and plaster.

Requirements: Take THREE photos of your work showing three different views of your sculpture. Save and upload the three photos as a .jpg or .png file as other file types may be inaccessible.

Digital or Graphic Art

Mixed Media

Using a combination of materials, create an original work of art that shows a dynamic and layered composition. Some potential materials you may choose to use in this piece include, but are not limited to, graphite, paint, colored pencils, collage, pen and ink, glass, clay, found objects, charcoal, etc.

Requirements: Photograph your work. Save and upload your mixed media piece as a .jpg or .png file as other image types can be inaccessible.

Drawing

Create a drawing with minimal empty space. Your drawing can be from observation, from a photo reference that you have taken yourself, or drawn purely from imagination. Do not draw from images you have found on the internet. Your drawing may be stylized or realistic. Some drawing materials you may choose to work with include, but are not limited to, graphite, charcoal, colored pencil, pen and ink, chalk pastel, oil pastels, etc.

Requirements: Photograph your work. Save and upload your drawing as a .jpg or .png file as other image types can be inaccessible.

New Media

Painting

Rubric

Exceptional

4 Points Each

Outstanding

3 Points Each

Above Average

2 Points Each

Average

1 Point Each

Composition

☐ Artwork shows exceptional application of principles of design

☐ Organization of composition is complex and detailed

☐ Demonstrates a highly refined awareness of detail, form, and proportion; captures nuanced aspects of observed subjects with originality and confidence

☐ Artwork shows effective application of the principles of design

☐ Organization of composition is outstanding

☐ Demonstrates awareness of detail, form, and proportion; captures aspects of observed subjects

☐ Artwork shows satisfactory use of the principles of design

☐ Student demonstrates effective compositional organization

☐ Attempts observational drawing with some accuracy; may miss finer details or proportions.

☐ Artwork shows grade-level understanding the principles of design

☐ Organization of composition is typical for age and grade level

☐ Limited observational awareness; representation lacks accurate detail or form.

Creativity and Originality

☐ Artwork shows inventive adaptation and assimilation of complex themes

☐ Personal style is evident and reflected through creative expression

☐ Demonstrates creative risk-taking and strong visual storytelling

☐ Artwork shows effective adaptation and assimilation of common themes

☐ Style is present through creative expression or imaginative personal interpretation

☐ Demonstrates clear and interesting visual storytelling

☐ Artwork shows logical adaptation to common themes

☐ Style is emerging, creative expression may be limited in imagination or interpretation.

☐ Emerging visual storytelling, but may rely on familiar or copied imagery

☐ Artwork shows emerging evidence of original thought

☐ Shows grade-level creative expression demonstrates average imagination or interpretation

☐ Work is primarily imitative or lacks visual storytelling

Skills & Craftsmanship

☐ Exceptional technical skills are demonstrated when compared to same-age peers

☐ Artwork demonstrates exceptionally unique and experimental use of media

☐ Artwork shows advanced attention to and effective use of techniques

☐ Artwork demonstrates outstanding use of media

☐ Artwork shows above average attention to proper techniques

☐ Artwork demonstrates effective use of media

☐ Artwork shows grade-level appropriate understanding of techniques

☐ Demonstrates use of media typical for age and grade level

Elements and Principles of Art

☐ Elements are well-defined, deliberate, and used in complexity to achieve outstanding results

☐ Student creates work that exhibits a high level of understanding and application of the Principles of Art

☐ Elements are defined and intentional, achieving good results

☐ Student work shows an understanding of the Principles of Art but needs refining.

☐ Elements are somewhat defined and may lack intentionality.

☐ The student’s work shows an understanding of the Principles of Art but needs to display a stronger application in the artwork.

☐ Disorganization of elements exists, not intentional, and/or simplistic

☐ Student work shows a basic level understanding of the Principles of Art.

Total:

FINAL TOTAL: __________ / 40

PERCENTAGE: __________%

Students must score 80% or above to be considered.

Proficient Reading:

Distinguished Reading:

Proficient Math:

Distinguished Math:

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