FACULTY OF HUMANITIES

School of the Arts

Wall lined with paintings and artwork

Art Portfolio Submissions

If you intend to study studio art at McMaster, you must meet the general admission to Humanities as well as pass the portfolio submission. For more information on what Studio Art and McMaster has to offer, please visit https://sota.humanities.mcmaster.ca/

 

The Studio Art Program welcomes submissions from all applicants and all creative genres.

 

Electronic Portfolio Submissions

All applicants are required to submit a digital portfolio through SlideRoom. There are no fees for submitting or reviewing your portfolio.

 

Please visit the School for the Arts link to SlideRoom to create an account and upload and submit your portfolio https://mcmastersota.slideroom.com

 

The studio arts program has a limited number of spaces available. Applications deadline is February 10. If spaces in the program remain open, we will consider a second round of applications submitted by March 10. Reviews will continue until all spaces have been allotted.

 

Before accessing the SlideRoom, make sure that you have applied for admission online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre, ouac.on.ca, and that you have received an email from McMaster acknowledging receipt of your application. Use the same name and email address in your SlideRoom account as on your McMaster application.

 

You will be able to log in and edit your portfolio on repeat visits to SlideRoom, but once you click “Submit”, you will no longer be able to make any changes. Ensure that your SlideRoom application is SUBMITTED and not “pending” by pushing the “submit” button after you have finished all final edits. We are unable to see any “pending” submissions in SlideRoom.

 

You may upload images (jpg, png, gif), video (mov, wmv, flv, mp4), music (mp3), PDF documents, scans or links to media. Please ensure video clip files do not exceed 3 minutes. File size is limited* For acceptable file types and sizes see: https://tinyurl.com/y3nap2cd.

 

For questions regarding technical issues related to SlideRoom, please consult SlideRoom Help Centre for support. For questions regarding Studio Art at McMaster University, please contact sota@mcmaster.ca

 

Submitting Your Portfolio for Consideration for Admission to Studio Art

Submit up to 20 entries that document your work. These can be art pieces informed by first- hand observation or the imagination and may include painting, drawing, print media, sculpture, fiber, new media or other visual arts media. Entries may include evidence of other artistic involvement such as poetry, graphic design, hand-made jewelry or clothing, etc. Our program exists within a school with other arts disciplines under the same umbrella and we are always interested to know your engagement with the broader arts. You can demonstrate this by uploading photos of involvement in community art activities, music, dance or theatre. The work you are presenting must be your own and you must credit any collaborators who have worked with you on any projects. Carefully edit your submission to ensure that the images you provide represent you well.

 

Photo-documenting Your Work

You do not need a complex set-up to get accurate images of your work. A simple camera or cell phone can provide accurate images. In some instances, you may be able to scan small 2D items. Follow these simple guidelines for best results if photographing entries:

  • Ensure that the art is isolated in a clean area with white background and avoid having any other distractions in the photograph. You may edit images by cropping to the edge (if possible) or simply submit with a clean white background.
  • Ensure that flat works are not leaning as this will create distortion.
  • Centre your camera lens in the middle of the work (horizontally and vertically) as shooting from an angle will result in distortions.
  • Get as close to the work as possible while maintaining a full view of the work.
  • Use natural, indirect light for most accurate exposure and colour (north facing windows or outside shooting in shade).
  • Use a tripod or other resting devise to minimize movement when you are shooting.

 

When Will I Know if I Am Accepted?

Once your portfolio has been reviewed, the School of the Arts will send the names of successful applicants to the Registrar. In some instances, the decision on the portfolio may be postponed for a second assessment. The School of the Arts will send you an email to let you know your name has been submitted for academic evaluation and that a space is reserved in the Studio Art program for you, but this does not guarantee an offer of acceptance to McMaster University.

 

Many factors are considered before an offer of admission can be made to students.

  • You must meet the GPA for Humanities admissions.
  • Have a successful portfolio.
  • Have completed at least three U or M courses in Secondary School to be considered for “an early conditional admission offer”.
  • As long as you complete the required 6 U or M courses and obtain your OSSD (diploma) with the minimum accepted final average, your conditions will be lifted. Meanwhile, you will be able to enrol at McMaster with a conditional acceptance, on the assumption that your conditions will be lifted.
  • If you have completed 6U or M courses, have met the admission average and have completed your OSSD (diploma) you may receive a “final acceptance offer”.
  • If you have completed a college program or you are transferring from another University, the University will need to calculate your admission eligibility as well as how many credits can be transferred to your McMaster degree and this may take some time.

 

Thousands of applicants are processed by Admissions within a few months so please be patient with us. If you have not heard from us by the time you need to make a decision with another institution, please let us know and we will investigate where your application is in the process.

 

Scholarships

McMaster offers a number of entrance scholarships to applicants who have achieved high academic averages. The School of the Arts selects an additional pool of applicants to receive awards specifically targeted to art students. You will be emailed by a studio faculty member if you are being recommended for one of the art awards.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Please check your junk email box for any correspondence from McMaster.  If you are not receiving information from McMaster, please ensure that your email account is set to accept email @mcmaster.ca.