Admissions & Portfolio Process

UMBC applicants and current students who plan to major in visual arts with a studio concentration (animation/interactive media, cinematic arts, graphic design, intermedia, photography, print media) must submit a portfolio application in addition to the standard UMBC Undergraduate Admission Application. Students who pass the review earn the portfolio milestone, which is a prerequisite for most studio courses. Students pursuing the visual arts major with a concentration in Art History and Museum Studies do not need to submit a portfolio since studio courses are not required to complete the degree requirements.

All portfolio applications must be submitted on-line using this site:
  http://www.decisiondesk.com/clients/umbc/apply/flexform/1/

The portfolio application consists of an artist statement, two recommendations, and a portfolio including two assignments, six to eight additional pieces of the applicant's choice and an itemization of submitted artwork. Four portfolio reviews are held each year: one in the Fall and three each Spring. For details about the portfolio components, including instructions for the two assignments and how to submit recommendations, simply click the decisiondesk link.

Please note: there is a $20 application fee payable during the on-line process.

Portfolio Review Dates

Students planning to enroll in the Spring should apply to the department no later than October. To allow time for recommendations to be received, portfolios are reviewed approximately two weeks after published deadlines.

  • October 18, 2013
  • January 15, 2014
  • March 14, 2014
  • April 25, 2014
  • October 17, 2014

Current UMBC Students who plan to pursue the visual arts major should follow the procedures outlined in the Decision Desk link, including an upload of transcripts showing all college course work.

New first-year and transfer students must submit a separate UMBC Undergraduate Admission Application at least two weeks before the selected portfolio review date. UMBC Applicants do not need to wait for an Admissions decision before submitting a portfolio application to the department.

Linehan Artist Scholar applicants must submit their on-line portfolios by the January review date. There is no separate application for the Linehan Artist Scholars Program. LAS applicants are encouraged to submit UMBC undergraduate applications by the early action deadline of November 1.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Students may explore a number of resources to help pay for their education and to gain invaluable work experience to build up their vitas before graduation. Scholarships, employment, student loans, and fellowships provide these opportunities to Visual Arts undergraduates.

The Linehan Artist Scholar Program offers competitive awards to freshmen ranging from $5,000 a year up to full tuition, fees, room, and board for four years of undergraduate study.

Fine Arts Scholarships range from $500 to $1,000.

To be considered for either award, new applicants must submit on-line portfolios by the January review date. A separate application is not required. Go to UMBC Undergraduate Admissions for other financial aid information.

Visit the Department
Tours are held regularly; to arrange a visit, please call the Visual Arts Office at (410) 455-2150. An interactive map of the campus and surrounding area, with driving directions is available at the UMBC Campus Map.

Address
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Visual Arts Department
Fine Arts 111A
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, Maryland USA 21250

Click here for directions

tel: 1(410)455-2150
fax: 1(410)455-1053
email: visart@umbc.edu