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Start your application, submit your portfolio, and jump-start your future with PCA&D.

YOURART
YOUR
ART

Your Portfolio

PCA&D requires most students interested in our BFA, BA, and AA degree programs to submit an art portfolio as part of the application process. Your portfolio should consist of 8-12 recent, original artworks that demonstrate your abilities in a range of artistic media. 

Studio Majors
(Animation & Game Art, Fine Art, Illustration, Design Thinking, Graphic Design, Photography & Video)

  • A portfolio is required. Submit 8–12 pieces of recent, original artwork that best represent your creativity and potential for growth.

  • Fan art or fan edits may not be used as the primary basis of your portfolio. If your submission relies heavily on these, we will ask you to provide additional original work.

  • Portfolios may be submitted online, or in person during campus visits, high school/college fairs, or National Portfolio Day events.

Live Experience Design & Production (LiveX)

  • A portfolio is not required. Instead, applicants interview with a member of the LiveX faculty.

  • If you choose to submit a portfolio, we encourage you to showcase production experience in areas such as carpentry, lighting, sound, stage management, or design support. You may also include other creative work similar to what is submitted in studio major portfolios that demonstrates your artistic/creative voice.

Creative Writing

  • A writing portfolio is required. Submit 10–20 pages of original writing, which may include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, or other forms.

  • You are welcome (but not required) to include examples of visual art or other creative work that demonstrates your artistic/creative voice.

Transfer Students: If you are applying to enroll as an Animation & Game Art, Fine Art, or Illustration major, you must include at least 2 artworks from direct observation.

What is direct observation art?

Presentation Matters

  • Depth – Investigation of a subject matter, focus on a favorite media or sustained interest in a topic or style.
  • Breadth – Display a range of skills by experimenting with and varying size, media, and subject matter.
  • Select – Select works that you feel are most representative of your ideas, skills, and abilities. Showcase problem-solving, decision-making, and originality of ideas.
  • Gather & Organize – Develop an order to your presentation that makes sense and has a logical flow. Consider lighting and clarity when photographing your artwork and keep time-based selections to 3 minutes or less. Consider perspectives other than your own by consulting a teacher or mentor.
PCAD Quadir Moultrie

Quadir Moultrie ’22

Examples of Media to Include

  • Drawing
  • Painting
  • 2-D Design
  • Digital Design
  • Printmaking
  • Photography
  • Sketchbook
  • Mural
  • Performance Art
  • Built Objects
  • Ceramics
  • Metal and Jewelry
  • Glass
  • Graphic Design
  • Illustrations
  • Storyboarding
  • Public Art
  • Fiber Arts
  • Mixed-Media
  • Sculpture
  • Installation
  • Time-based Media
  • Digitally Rendered 3-D Animation
  • Film/Video

Interested in pursuing Live Experience Design & Production?

Our interviews are an informal and friendly conversation to get to know you better. You’ll meet with one of the academic team, where we’ll chat to you about:

·        Your career aspirations

·        Our curriculum and industry-integrated learning

·        Technology and equipment

·        Work experience and opportunities to work in the industry  

You may submit a portfolio of your work if you’d like to, but this is not an interview requirement. We love to see anything you’ve worked on or have experienced that has influenced your decision to apply to study with us. 

Reserve your spot

Submit & Schedule

Use the buttons below to upload your portfolio or edit one you already started.

Then schedule a personal interview and portfolio review by contacting us at admissions@pcad.edu calling 717.396.7833 ext. 1001. You can also visit us during one of our high school or college events or on National Portfolio Day. Get more information on our Visit Us page.

Start a portfolio
Edit/submit a portfolio

NEVER send original artwork via mail or another delivery service.

Make your creative life, a way of life

Make your creative life,
a way of life

Submit An Application

Even if you’re still deciding on a school, start an application or submit your portfolio, it’s free. Let us get to know you without any commitment.  

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