MCPS VISUAL ART CENTER APPLICATION PROCESS
The Visual Art Center (VAC) offers students a broad perspective of the visual arts and deepens their understanding of the
opportunities for art-related careers through exposure to art history, contemporary artists and artwork. This rigorous
and comprehensive program, directed towards portfolio development, enables students to realize and achieve their full
potential in visual art. Lessons consist of lectures, demonstrations, slide presentations, studio activities, assigned
research, and group critiques. Most graduating students advance to study fine arts or commercial art at a higher level.
STUDENTS ACCEPTED WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
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Study commercial design techniques using digital cameras and computer graphics software;
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Receive a strong classical foundation in drawing, painting, and Art History;
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Complete one or more College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art, Drawing, 2-D and 3-D portfolio
exams; and
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Exhibit work and compete at local, state, and national art competitions including: National Foundation for the
Advancement of the Arts, Young Arts, National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, NAACP- ACT-SO, and
Congressional High School Art Competition.
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY:
Any MCPS student currently enrolled in 8th-11th grade who is interested in a rigorous advanced level portfolio
development program is encourage to apply for acceptance into this magnet program. The VAC program is open to
applicants from all high school clusters in the county. Students may opt to take a combination of courses at their home
high school and the VAC, or they may opt to transfer to Albert Einstein High School. Downcounty Consortium (DCC)
resident students who have been assigned to Einstein through the choice process and have been accepted into the
Visual Arts Center will be provided transportation from Consortia neighborhood stops. Students not assigned to Einstein
HS are responsible for providing their own transportation.
APPLICATION PROCESS & DEADLINES:
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Potential applicants should plan to visit the VAC with a parent or guardian by attending one of the two VAC program
information sessions:
o October 19, 2016 at 6:30 for the AEHS/DCC Open House
o November 19, 2016 at 6:00 pm before the VAC Middle School Art Show Awards Reception
During these two events students and families will have the opportunity to meet with VAC faculty, students, and
parents.
Contact current school counselor to review graduation requirements and determine if the VAC course offerings will
fit into student’s schedule options. Discuss, if accepted, whether the student would transfer to Albert Einstein High
School full time or commute daily to attend the VAC for two periods before returning to another MCPS High School.
Students need to prepare a portfolio that reflects their best work. This should include 2-3 observational drawings
and 5-7 completed artworks in any media.
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Complete online application form by December 4, 2015. The online application can be accessed using this link:
http://tinyurl.com/VACapplication
A letter of recommendation from the student’s current/recent art teacher is required. This letter should address the
creative capability, work ethic, and potential for success in the VAC program. The recommendation letter must be
sent directly by the teacher to the VAC and received/postmarked by December 7, 2015.
By submitting an online application, the student is required to attend a portfolio review and drawing session 10:00
a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at Albert Einstein High School. The snow date and/or make-up
date for this session will be 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the same location. Students
who are unable to test on Saturday because of religious reasons will be able to schedule an alternative date.
Written requests for an alternate date must be submitted to the VAC faculty by December 7, 2015.
Students will be notified of their scheduled appointment time for the portfolio review and drawing session by
December 9, 2015. Please arrive promptly.
If the student requires accommodations, a copy of the Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 Plan, or
English Language Learner (ELL) Plan that specifies the accommodations MUST be submitted to the VAC faculty by
December 7, 2015. The faculty will contact the parent/guardian to discuss accommodations.
SELECTION & NOTIFICATION:
Admission to Visual Art Center is very competitive. There are only 25-30 seats available each year, but there will be a waiting
list. Multiple criteria are used to evaluate the applicants including: portfolio content, teacher recommendation, artist
statement, previous grades and course work. Notifications about selection will be sent to the applicant’s parent/guardian in
early February 2016. Some applicants are accepted upon first review. Other applicants, however, may be encouraged to
develop their portfolio presentation and resubmit. These applicants will be notified in February about the resubmission
process and deadlines.
PORTFOLIO CONSIDERATIONS:
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Students are encouraged to show their unique talents and to bring a portfolio that may include: sketchbooks,
drawings, paintings, sculptures, mixed media work, photographs and digital artwork.
Students must provide evidence of observational value drawing by including representations of at least one selfportrait drawn from a mirror and one still life. Students may choose to include an additional observational
drawing that represents a subject of choice.
Cartoon or Manga style artwork must be original and not copied from other artists.
When evaluating portfolios, the Selection Committee is looking for:
o Creativity & Content – does the artist express a personal statement and/or communicate ideas in an
innovative way?
o Composition & Design – does the artist demonstrate an understanding of fundamental art elements and
design principles?
o Craftsmanship & Media Manipulation –
does the artist demonstrate skill and
APPLICATION CHECKLIST:
technique when utilizing various art
media?
 Complete Online Application
For More Information:
Contact VAC Faculty:
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Call: 301-962-1027
Visit the VAC website:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/vac/
Contact MCPS Fine Arts Office:
[email protected]
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Request Teacher Recommendation
Prepare Student Portfolio
Copy Student Transcript
Complete VAC Enrollment Form
Attend Onsite Drawing Session
PORTFOLIO REVIEW & DRAWING EVALUATION FOR VAC ENROLLMENT
Instructions:
Complete this form and return it during the Portfolio Review & Drawing Evaluation Session on December 12, 2016.
In addition to the completed form students must also submit the following application requirements:
 5-7 completed artworks in any media
 3 critical observational drawing from life – 1 self-portrait, 1 still life, 1 subject of choice
 most recent transcript
Part 1: To be completed by the Parent/Guardian
Student’s Name______________________________________________ Student ID # __________________
Last
First
MI
Current School_____________________________
Grade Level: ____
GPA/Grade Average____________
School Counselor’s Name______________________________________ Check all that apply:  IEP  504  ELL
Parent/Guardian Name________________________________________ Home Phone_____________________
Parent Email Address _________________________________________ Work Phone_____________________
Home Address_________________________________________________________________________________
Number
Street
City
State
Zip Code
Parent Permission Statement
I hereby submit this application for my child to be considered for acceptance into the Visual Art Center. I understand that the
teacher information and evaluation results will be maintained in confidence by the Selection Committee, that the
recommendation scores cannot be shared outside the Selection Committee, and that applications will not be returned to
parents or students. If accepted, I hereby grant permission for my child to attend the MCPS Visual Art Center. I understand
that she/he must maintain a better than “C” average at the Visual Art Center in order to continue in the program. I
understand that transportation is not provided and assume the responsibility for transportation to and from the Visual Art
Center each day. The information as submitted on this form is accurate, complete and true to the best of my knowledge.
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE _____________________________________________DATE_________________
Part 2: To be completed by the Visual Art Center
Application Checklist:  Online Application  Student Portfolio  Observational Drawing  Drawing Evaluation
 Writing Prompt  Teacher Recommendation  Transcript
Selection: ACCEPTED TO VAC _____ COMPLETE MORE WORK AND REEVALUATE _____ DO NOT RECOMMEND _____
Approved by:
SIGNATURE, VAC FACULTY _______________________________
___________________________ DATE _______
SIGNATURE, AEHS COUNSELOR _________________________________ TRANSFER FORM [ ] RECORDS CHECK [ ]
SIGNATURE, AEHS RESOURCE TEACHER ________________________________________________
DATE________
SIGNATURE, AEHS PRINCIPAL _________________________________________________________ DATE________
DISTRIBUTION: COPY 1-VISUAL ART CENTER COPY 2-COUNSELOR COPY 3- PARENT/GUARDIAN