The AP Studio Art portfolios are designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. AP Studio Art is not based on a written examination; instead, students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year.
The AP Program offers three portfolios: Drawing, 2-D Design, and 3-D Design.
The portfolios share a basic, three-section structure, which requires the student to show a fundamental competence and range of understanding in the visual concerns (and methods); each of the portfolios asks the student to demonstrate a depth of investigation and process of discovery through the concentration section (Section II). In the breadth section (Section III), the student is asked to demonstrate a serious grounding in visual principles and material techniques. The quality section (Section I) permits the student to select works that best exhibit a synthesis of form, technique, and content.
The table below summarizes the section requirements for each of the three portfolios.
Drawing
2-D Design
3-D Design
Section I
Quality
Five actual works; maximum size 18” x 24”
Five actual works; maximum size 18” x 24”
Five works; two slides of each one are submitted
Section II
Concentration
12 digital images; some may be details
12 digital images; some may be details
12 slides; some may be second views
Section III
Breadth
12 digital images; one of each work submitted
12 digital images; one of each work submitted
Eight works; two slides of each work submitted
Curricular Requirements
Students enrolling in AP Studio Art must have completed at least 3 semesters of High School Studio Art Course work. Students who work independently, and do not have enough credit to enter the class, may submit a portfolio for teacher review and be waived into he class if they have enough quality work. It is recommended that students take art the entire year they work on their AP Portfolio.
What Students Will Do
Choose which exam portfolio program that is appropriate.
Show an understanding of the focus of the portfolio selected.
Demonstrate a breadth of high quality work, 12 pieces.
A. Work on 12 pieces in class.
B. Review work with instructor.
C. Rework 12 pieces if needed.
Develop a personal concentration of 12 pieces.
A. Work on 12 pieces independently.
B. Review work with instructor.
C. Rework 12 pieces if needed.
Select 5 top quality pieces for presentation (8 if they select 3D Design).
Students do not have to pay for the AP test and submit a portfolio if their work is not sufficient to pass the course. However, if they do not pay and hand in their completed portfolio for judging in May, they will not receive credit for AP Art. They will be given credit for Art 3 or Art 4.
Students will complete 12 in class assignments and 12 out of class art assignments to go in their portfolios. The instructor will work with students at the beginning of the semester to choose a theme for their concentration sections.