ASFA Visual Arts Audition Requirements 2020-2021
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ASFA Visual Arts
Audition Requirements
2020-2021
The Visual Arts Department of the Alabama School of Fine Arts offers an advanced course of
study in traditional media and the history of art. Instruction emphasizes visual awareness,
original and creative thinking, critical analysis and excellence of technique and craftsmanship.
Upon completion of this program, a highly motivated student is prepared for higher
educational institutions, universities and art schools.
To flourish in the Visual Arts Department a student must…..
· Demonstrate a high level of self-motivation and maturity
· Prove themselves to be a student with tremendous integrity
· Possess a diligent work ethic
· Be willing to embrace new ideas and concepts
· Be very passionate about their craft
· Have an excellent grasp of the principles of unity, balance, movement, and proportion
· Trust and respect their teachers
Alabama School of Fine Arts
Mission Statement
The mission of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, a diverse community of explorers, is to nurture
impassioned students by guiding and inspiring them to discover and fulfill their individual
creative abilities
in an atmosphere distinguished by the fusion of fact and feeling, risk and reward, art and
science, school and society.
Accommodation Statement
ASFA was created by the State to provide a more challenging education for impassioned,
talented students in Creative Writing, Dance, Math & Science, Music, Theatre Arts and Visual
Arts. Consistent with its mission, only those students will be admitted to ASFA and allowed to
remain who are able to meet the demands of a rigorous curriculum. Applicants with existing
Individualized Education Plans (IEP) are obliged to inform ASFA administration during the
application period and to provide a copy or authorization for release of the applicant’s most
recent IEP and any related records deemed necessary by ASFA. If a qualifying disabling
condition is substantiated before or after enrollment, a committee appointed by the Executive
Director will determine if the school can reasonably accommodate the student’s needs or if
these needs will be better accommodated in a different educational environment.Equal Opportunity Information
It is the policy of the Alabama School of Fine Arts not to discriminate on the basis of sex, race,
religion, color, creed, national origin or any other proscribed category, in its educational
programs, activities, or employment policies as required by local, state, and federal policies and
laws. Inquiries or complaints regarding compliance with applicable laws or this policy may be
directed to Ms. Ann Florie, Interim Executive Director, Alabama School of Fine Arts, 1800 Rev.
Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35203, or by calling him at (205) 252-9241.
About the Alabama School of Fine Arts
The Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) operates as a public secondary school with the entire
state as its district. Situated in Birmingham, the population center of Alabama, ASFA offers
residential facilities for students who are beyond commuting distance The ASFA campus is in
downtown Birmingham and is a major part of the Cultural District.
• Partially residential, publicly funded secondary school grades 7-12
• Semester system, modified block schedule (90 minute block periods only in specialty
areas)
• Extended school day from 7:55 am until 4:40 pm with 6 periods running 45 minutes each
and two specialty periods running 90 minutes each
• Extended school day and departmental activities, on evenings and weekends, preclude
sports and other extracurricular activities
• College preparatory curriculum in core academics
• Specialty courses (those listed in departmental profiles) are open only to students
within those departments
• Member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling; The College
Board; The International Network of Performing and Visual Arts Schools; The Alabama
Association of School Boards; The National Consortium for Specialized Secondary
Schools of Mathematics, Science, and Technology; and the Coalition of Essential Schools
• Enrollment for 201-2020 school year is 332
• ACT COMPOSITE
Middle 50%...................22—31 Mean: 25.8 19.1 20.8
• SAT I REASONING
Mean: ASFA State Natl.
Reading & Writing 665 595 536
Math 657 571 531
Composite 1322 1166 1068
• 2019 ASFA Seniors (71) awarded over $11.8 million in college scholarships and grants
• 12 National YoungArts Foundation Finalists in Creative Writing, Music, Visual Arts
• Two Gold Medals in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards in Visual Arts and Creative
Writing• 18 National Merit Scholars
• 6 National Achievement Scholars
• 2 National Hispanic Recognition Program Honorees
• 5 Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Medal Winners
• 3 Intel International Science & Engineering Finalists
• 4 representing Alabama in the National Science Bowl
• 3 on the American Computer Science League All-Star International Team
• Faculty: full time 73; part-time and adjunct 26
• Seven teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Frequently Asked Questions
• When is the best time to apply to ASFA?
Our applications are available in late October and the deadline is January 28, 2020.
• Can I apply to more than one department?
No. ASFA is looking for students who are passionate and serious about a particular
specialty program.
• What grades do you have to have to get into ASFA?
You must have a 70 average in core classes of the current semester you are applying in.
Also, your scores on national testing and teacher recommendations are of importance in
the application process.
• What is the cost?
We are a public school. There is no tuition for Alabama residents. There is a $45 to $60
(depending on grade level) Visual Arts fee that is due once a year.
• How do classes work each day?
Students have eight class periods and one lunch period each day. Six class periods are
academic periods of about 45 minutes. Students meet the last three hours of the day in
their Visual Arts classes.
• What time are Visual Arts students dismissed each day?
Students in 7th and 8th grade are dismissed at 3:12 pm and students in grades 9-12 are
dismissed at 4:40 pm.
• How many students are accepted each year?
The number varies each year according to space available in the department and the
overall school enrollment.
• Does the Alabama School of Fine Arts offer bus service?
Unfortunately, no. Our students are from so many different locales that it would be
impossible to run a bus service. We do have carpool lists available.
• If invited to the on-site audition, does the work in the portfolio need to be matted
and shrink-wrapped?
Selected drawings should be matted or mounted on poster board or foam- core to
protect the work from damage and to present the work at its best. Professional matting
is not necessary. Your name should appear on the back of each work.
• Is it good to have more work than is required in the portfolio?
Think quality not quantity. Students should at least have the minimum required
number of works, with each piece being as strong as possible.
• Is it more difficult for a student entering the 9th or 10th grade to get into the Visual
Arts program than a student entering the 7th or 8th grade?
The 7th and 8th grade classes are devoted to foundation and drawing. The student is
introduced to the basic principles of art and is exposed to a variety of media. Specialemphasis is placed on drawing from life or direct observation to develop the student’s
technical ability. We do expect prospective 9th and 10th graders to have a higher order
of skills. In these classes, students must demonstrate not only a technical proficiency,
but also the ability to think conceptually.
• When are auditions held?
Auditions will be held March 7, 2020.
• How soon after the audition will I know if I have been accepted?
Letters will be mailed on March 21, 2020.
• What is the Student Shadow Program at ASFA?
It offers a prospective student an opportunity to experience a typical day at ASFA. Go to
www.asfa.k12.al.us, click on Apply to ASFA, click on Visit ASFA, click on ASFA Shadow Form.
ASFA Visual Arts
Application Procedure
To apply to the Visual Arts Department at ASFA, you must be a rising 7th—11th grader.
Application Deadline: ASFA must receive all of the following documents by January 28,
2020.
Student Application: Complete online and submit on or before the deadline.
Application Fee: A $50.00 non-refundable application fee must be paid when application is
submitted on or before the deadline.
Teacher Recommendation Forms (3): Forms are located under schoolrecs on the
Introduction page of the application. Forms must be electronically signed by the parent and
student before the forms are sent to the teacher to complete. Forms must be completed by
your current English teacher, an art teacher, and a teacher of choice. If you do not have a
current art teacher, you may ask another current academic teacher to complete the form.
Recommendations must be received on or before the deadline.
Counselor/Registrar Request for Grades Form: Form is located under schoolrecs on the
Introduction page of the application. Form must be signed by the parent and student before
the form is sent to the Registrar or Guidance Counselor at your school to complete. This form
and all of the requested information must be completed and submitted on or before the
deadline.
Application to the Visual Arts Department is in two parts: pre-audition and on-site
audition.
I. PRE-AUDITION BY MAIL
The Visual Arts Department must receive the following three assignments executed on 8.5”
x 11” paper on or before the deadline. Student’s name must be on the back of all pre-
audition assignments.
1. A portrait from life in pencil
2. An ink drawing of your room at home
3. A color rendering of fruit or vegetablesApplicants are encouraged to approach these assignments from a personal point of view.
Failure to meet this deadline will render your application incomplete, and you will not be
invited to ASFA for an on-site audition.
Send the three assignments to:
Melanie Lee
Alabama School of Fine Arts
1800 Reverend Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd.
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Only completed applications received on or before the deadline will be reviewed. When the
audition committee reaches a decision, we will notify you.
Good luck as you complete your application!
II. ON-SITE AUDITION BY INVITATION
The On-Site Audition will consist of the following three parts:
1. A portfolio evaluation
2. A still-life drawing assignment
3. A personal interview with student and parents
Each applicant must bring to the on-site audition a portfolio that contains a minimum of 24
works executed in the last 12 months. The works may be in any media. Sculpture, ceramics,
glass or other fragile medium and very large works should be represented by photograph or
slide. (Presentation is an important consideration.) Selected drawings should be matted or
mounted on poster board or foam-core to protect the work from damage and to present the
work at its best. Professional matting is not necessary. Your name should appear on the back
of each work.
1. The portfolio is the most significant portion of the Visual Arts audition. Be selective.
Include your best work. If your collection consists of more than the required 24 pieces,
select only those you consider to be the most accomplished. The portfolio should reflect
your current level of expertise, and therefore should contain works executed in the last 12
months that demonstrate your technical skill and versatility with different media and
sophistication of conceptual originality.
2. Portfolio Preparation - Since drawing is at the core of fine art, we look for student work at
all grade levels to demonstrate their ability to render subject matter from life. It is through
life drawing that we can better assess a student’s abilities with regard to compositional
awareness, accuracy of observation, and aesthetic sophistication. It is very difficult to
determine the ability of a student who has a portfolio that consists primarily of cartoons,
fantasy art, and drawings copied from photographs. Although it is important for us to know
the art interests of the student, it is more important that the portfolio demonstrate
originality, technical ability, and technical versatility.
3. During the audition, each applicant will be required to draw from a still-life in a classroom
setting.
4. Each candidate will have a personal interview with the faculty audition committee.For questions about completing applications contact Melanie Lee 205.252-9241 205.458-0342 (fax number) Email: mlee@asfa.k12.al.us For questions about specific audition requirements contact Darius Hill Chair, Visual Arts Department Email: dhill@asfa.k12.al.us
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