The application form will open in Winter 2027. The deadline to apply is spring 2027 (exact date to be announced).
Eligibility
To be eligible for application, you must be a current UW Seattle student who has taken 15 credits of introductory ART coursework or a transfer student who has applied for admission to the UW for Autumn quarter.
Not sure if you're eligible? Learn more on the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Fine Arts Admissions page.
Art Major — Frequently Asked Questions
Application Requirements
The application to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts majors (3D4M, Painting + Printmaking, and Photo, Media, New Genres) requires the following materials. These materials should be submitted via the application form, which will open in Winter 2027.
- Name
- Intended major
- Portfolio
- Image list
- Resume
- Transcript
- Short answer questions
Material Instructions
Please review the following instructions and formatting requirements for each of the materials required in the application form.
File Format
Work may be uploaded as .jpg, .jpeg, .png, or .pdf files. You may also share video links. Video links should be viewable without passwords or special permissions.
Portfolio
- Your portfolio should consist of 3–5 samples of work.
- Your portfolio can include a mix of class assignments and personal projects.
- For each project, please include a short caption (1–2 sentences) that explains the work being shown. For example, if the project was completed in a class, explain the objective and time frame of the assignment.
- The committee will be evaluating how the portfolio demonstrates conceptual thinking/thoughtful decisions, process and material exploration, curiosity, and technical proficiency. The portfolio helps the committee understand your creative process and how you might engage with the program.
Image List
Include an image list with the following information:
- Title
- Medium (medium can refer to both the type of art—e.g., painting, sculpture, performance, screenprint—as well as the materials an artwork is made from (charcoal on paper, ceramic, found object, single channel video, etc.).
- Short description (if the work is from an assignment, describe the assignment and what you learned. If it is an independent project, describe how you made the work and what you hoped to communicate.)
Short Answer Questions
Please answer the following questions as part of your application. We recommend working on these questions in a separate document and then copying and pasting them when you are ready to submit your application.
- How do you approach making art? Describe the ways you observe, experiment, develop, and refine ideas.
- What did you learn from your introductory art courses?
- What do you hope to continue learning in your specific Art major?
Portfolio Feedback and Workshops
Due to the high number of applications, faculty cannot provide feedback on individual portfolios before or after the admissions process. For tips on preparing your application, please attend one of the portfolio workshops that will take place in the Winter and Spring quarters.
Decision Timeline
Students will be notified by email of their status (accepted, rejected, or wait-listed) in the third week of June. Accepted students should contact the School's Advising office by June 30 to accept the major offer and register for the Autumn Art classes.
If you are rejected and interested in other majors within the School of Art + Art History + Design or reapplying to the Art major, we suggest meeting with one of our academic advisers. If you are not admitted but are interested in majors outside the School, we suggest meeting with a UW academic adviser to discuss next steps.
Privacy Disclaimer
The Division of Art does not share your email address, phone number, or other contact information with any other organization or individual. We are committed to following the UW online privacy policy.