This document provides guidance on writing an artist's statement or statement of purpose for art school applications. It discusses including information about your artistic style, objectives, inspiration, and future goals. The document recommends structuring the statement in three paragraphs that introduce yourself, provide more details about your work and process, and discuss your aspirations and how the school can help you achieve them. It emphasizes being honest, specific, and tailored to each individual school through research. Overall, the document aims to help applicants concisely yet effectively communicate their passion and vision for art to admissions committees.

1. Around 500 words discussing your:
*style, purpose, approach, objectives
*subjects, inspiration, themes, obstacles
*how you hope to continue your work/education

2. Some schools have a specific question to answer
Some ask for an ARTIST’S STATEMENT
or
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

3. PARSONS’ Essay topic:
In a brief written composition (500 words maximum),
explain what you make,
how you make it,
and why you make it?
Where do you expect your creative abilities and academic study to take you
after you finish your education at Parsons?
Most specific questions are like this and realistically they ARE a kind of
ARTIST’S STATEMENTS

4. IDEAS for:
specific application essay questions
artist’s statement
OR
significant experience for Common AP

5. Structure with three paragraphs
Keep your sentences authentic, and direct

6. First paragraph - INTRO
WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO
Begin with a simple statement of introduction.
Briefly explain what you want to major in.
Support that statement with your objectives, goals, and aspirations.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE-
say that you are not sure and that you want to explore

7. Second paragraph - BODY
GIVE MORE INSIGHT INTO WHO YOU ARE
Keep it simple,
but informative
and tell the truth.

8. Possible ideas for the BODY:
-why you want to pursue the concentration you have selected
-how you make decisions and get ideas for your work
-how and why you select materials, techniques, themes
-What aspect of art/design do you have the strongest desire to learn more
about?

9. Third paragraph CONCLUSION
FUTURE THINKING and ASPIRATIONS
What you plan to do with your major?
How your current work relates to your future plans?
What you want to continue to learn?
What do you want to learn at college that you have no experience with?
Discuss how college
can help you
gain more:
experience,
knowledge,
and skills

10. You could tailor the third paragraph for each school you are applying to.
RESEARCH IS KEY - KNOWING THE SCHOOL IS CRUCIAL

11. In what ways can this school help you learn more/ gain more experience,
What resources are available at that school that you find appealing?
Refer to:
specific courses,
programs,
aspects of the location of the school
resources in the community

12. What ways would you contribute to their school specifically?
Be creative but also show that you have RESEARCHED the school.

13. Of course when referring to a specific school
BE SURE you are writing the correct name of the school.

14. CLOSING STATEMENT IDEAS
What expectations do you have for your college experience?
What role do you hope to play in society after you have your degree?
What ways do you hope to grow from your experience in college?
How you would grow from a specific school’s program.

15. Be brave: say nice things about yourself but try not to seem arrogant.

16. Use first person.
Refer to yourself with the pronouns "I, me, my."

17. Be specific, avoid being vague, cliché’, or too rhetorical.
And of course, USE SPELL CHECK

18. -Write about an
artist or designer
or any creative
person that you
aspire to be like
or
-Talk about a
specific piece or
series of work that
you put serious
thought into.
Describe the
process
Don’t feel like you have enough to write about yourself?

19. HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY
Being honest can help you write about something that might not be easy to put
in words.
Also your art might be something that is very personal to you, but being honest
might make you stand out.

20. Other topics to include:
-Your education (some of your art
classes in or out of school)
-Any art experience you have
-If you have won any awards
-Any way you have exhibited your work
-Any community art involvement
BUT keep somewhat current.

21. Create credibility by highlighting your achievements,
not providing a full resume or your whole life’s story.

22. WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Specific artists or designers
A teacher
A class
but also EXPLAIN what about that artist, teacher, or class Influenced
you and or your work

23. Have there been people or issues that have been barriers for you In your
pursuit to studying art?
Then briefly describe how you reacted to those obstacles.

24. Think about how you would describe your work to someone
who didn't know you.
What you are aiming to achieve in your work?
How does your work connect to your outlook on life?
How has your life experience influenced your work?

25. If there are other things that inspire you
beside art, what is it and how does it
inspire you? ie, music, poetry, outdoors,
travel, science, history, technology?
BUT
If you can't explain it briefly,
avoid adding the reference.

26. IMPORTANT------------THIS IS NOT YOUR LIFE STORY!
Tell the story about what led up to your art ONLY if it's short, compelling,
and really really relevant.

27. Read your statement out loud.
Listen to the way the words flow.
Notice places where you'd like the sound or rhythm to be different.
Take note of sentences that seem too long and then shorten them.

28. It can often be difficult to explain something visual in words –
As with anything in life, drawing, basketball, playing an instrument,
PRACTICE makes it easier.
You're unlikely to produce a polished artist's statement
the first time you try, so be prepared to rework it several times.

29. Show your art and your artist’s statement to friends, friends' friends, an art teacher,
and maybe even a stranger or two.
If you have to explain yourself, do a rewrite and eliminate the confusion.
You might want to ask your
Parents, but do keep in mind
that even if your parents
have an artistic background
their ideas might differ
from yours.

30. Find someone who writes or edits, or ask an English teacher to read it and ask
for their feedback.
Many times, a little rearranging is all that's necessary to make your statement a
clean clear read.
Another set of eyes can see things your spell check passed by.

31. PORTFOLIO
Be sure to read the instructions from the admissions website for each school
Most want digital photos of 15 pieces loaded to SLIDEROOM.com
Some request that 6-8 pieces are DRAWING FROM OBSERVATION
Some allow other work like videos of installations or performance pieces
Some just want to see your best work 10-20 pieces
For some schools and some majors they will be specific about what they want
RISD,
PARSONS,
COOPER UNION,
ART CENTER,
FIT (some majors),
are some of the schools who will have specific
requests for portfolio requirements.
BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS

32. start looking atstart looking at
school websitesschool websites
to learn what they offerto learn what they offer
and what interests you.and what interests you.
Start building your portfolioStart building your portfolio
start drafting your essaystart drafting your essay

33. "You may delay, but time will not." ~Benjamin Franklin