Territory Painting portfolio piece for NYU applications

NYU Art Portfolio Prep — NYU Art Applications

NYU is a university — its creative programs look at your portfolio and your academics.

Requirements

Which programs ask for a portfolio

Many NYU art, design and film programs ask for a portfolio or creative materials. Requirements differ by program and change each year — always check NYU's current admissions pages. We check them line by line with each student.

Portfolio

What to include

Original work with personal ideas, not only observational drawing
Process: sketchbooks, studies, revisions
Work related to the intended major (for example film or design)
For UNAA students, Territory Painting pieces that make the portfolio stand out

Oscar Liu with his interior design work — admitted to NYU in 2026

When to start

Timeline

Grades 9–10

Foundations and sketchbooks.

Grade 11

Choose a direction, make core pieces.

Grade 12 fall

Photograph, write statements, submit by NYU's deadline.

Watch out

Common mistakes

Every piece in the same style
Dark or crooked photos
No descriptions
Forgetting that grades and essays matter too — NYU is a university

About us

Why UNAA ART

Mentors include former RISD admissions officer David Paolino and RISD professor John Hames (see Faculty). Since 2019, 200+ students have been admitted to art schools with scholarships (see Results), including a 2022 student with an NYU $70,000/yr scholarship and Oscar Liu, admitted to NYU in 2026. Classes in Flushing and Manhattan — NYC portfolio training — or online.