National Portfolio Day

National Portfolio Day (NPD) events are held annually to help further the artistic development of young artists by bringing together experienced college representatives to review artwork and offer feedback. National Portfolio Days, offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels, are about the exchange of information about prospective students’ work, college plans and concerns.

RIT College of Art and Design's faculty roster of renowned artists, photographers, designers and filmmakers — either virtually or in-person — meet one-on-one with prospective students during NPD events. They provide useful portfolio feedback and share information about our range of programs in the arts and sciences.

Those interested in having their work evaluated by an RIT representative can best prepare for a review by observing our portfolio requirements. Any questions about RIT’s participation at National Portfolio Days can be directed to portfolios@rit.edu. 

Portfolios should include your best and most recent work, but it can also include works in progress, sketchbooks, tear sheets and creative writing. No admissions decisions or scholarship awards will be offered at National Portfolio Days, but RIT’s College of Art and Design can accept your portfolio as the visual portion of your application.

A drawing RIT medical illustration student Tirzah Pilet presented at a National Portfolio Day event several years ago.

Our faculty attend many in-person and online NPD events each year, ready to review portfolios and prepare them for the college admissions process (both undergraduate and graduate). While our fill schedule of 2023-24 NPD participation will be posted in the summer, we are happy to be hosting an event on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Stay tuned for more information! 

The National Portfolio Day Association (NPDA) was created in 1978 solely for the organization and planning of National Portfolio Days (NPD). The association consists of representatives that hold regional accreditation and accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), or Substantial Equivalency status. NPDA is the only organization of its kind and the membership represents the highest standard of visual arts education available in the world.

You will not find National Portfolio Days to be an examination or competition, the events are about an exchange of information. Representatives want to learn about you, your work, and your post-secondary plans, all while informing you about their college or university and application requirements. 

What should I bring to a National Portfolio Day? 

A portfolio of visual artwork that includes your best and most recent work, but it can also include works in progress, sketchbooks, and tear sheets. Don’t hesitate to explain how you develop your ideas and where you want to go with them. Often, sharing the process of arriving at the completed work is as valuable as simply presenting finished products. The NPDA urges you to discuss your work with as many colleges/universities as possible and bring no more than 15 works. Your portfolio can be presented as original work or on screen, but make note Wi-Fi may not be available at all locations. Students who are not prepared to show a portfolio may attend to gather information from college/university representatives. All NPD events are free and open to the public.