Undergraduate Admissions

In the Department of Visual Art, you get the best of both worlds: Small School. Big University. You will work side by side with world-class, practicing artists. Small classes provide time for directed and individual instruction and space for developing big ideas. You can explore all seven studio areas to create an education as individual as you are.

In order to be considered for Departmental Incoming Freshmen and Transfer Scholarships, a portfolio and three essay questions must be submitted via the KU Application Status Portal. If you have applied with a plan of VISART-BA or VISARTBFA, you'll see the section to upload your portfolio and answer the three short essay questions. Deadline is no later than Feb. 1st.

**Please note: it will take two business days for your KU application to be processed before you can upload your portfolio.

Portfolio Requirements:

  • 10 - 20 images 
  • The images should be no more than 5MB each
  • Must be submitted through the KU Application Status Portal. If you have applied with a plan of VISART-BA or VISARTBFA, you'll see the section to upload your portfolio and answer the three short essay questions.

What to include in your portfolio:

  • If possible, include work in a variety of mediums.
  • Sketches or works in progress are okay to include.
  • The portfolio does not need to specifically address the major in which you are most interested (i.e. If you hope to concentrate on printmaking, but do not have any prints in your portfolio, that's okay.)
  • Images of 3D artwork may be shown from different views.

Essay Questions:

Your portfolio will include answering the following questions. Each question is set to a 1500 character limit, which is about 250 words.

1.  What has been your past experience(s) in the areas of Visual Art?

2. Describe your professional aspirations and career goals in the areas of Visual Art?

3. What do you expect from your educational experience?

November 1st 

Freshmen early action application deadline

KU online admission application must be completed to be eligible for KU general scholarships. 

January 1st 

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available online. KU's Federal School Code is 001948.

February 1st

Incoming Freshmen and Transfer Scholarship Application Deadline 

In order to be considered for Departmental Scholarships, a portfolio and three essay questions must be submitted via the KU Application Status Portal. If you have applied with a plan of VISART-BA or VISARTBFA, you'll see the section to upload your portfolio and answer the three short essay questions. no later than Feb. 1st.

FAFSA Priority Date

March 1st

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) priority deadline, apply online. KU's Federal School Code is 001948.

March (end of the month)

Notification of Department of Visual Art scholarship award.

May 1st 

State of Kansas Student Aid Application priority deadline, apply online.

Change of School students (students currently at KU) will apply to Visual Art by filling out and submitting a Change of School form available in room 300, Art & Design building. Deadline for Change of School forms to be considered for spring semester is December 1st.

A 3.0 college GPA is preferred for transfer, re-admitted, and Change of School students. A 2.5 high school GPA is preferred for incoming freshmen. 

International Student?

Find more information at International Admissions
International Admissions
students visit our gallery

Visit the Department of Visual Art

Tours of the beautiful University of Kansas campus can be arranged through the Office of Admissions. Indicate your interest in the Department of Visual Art and they will schedule an appointment on your behalf. Our tours are scheduled Fridays at 11:30am. But please reach out directly to the Department if you will not be able to make this time work for your schedule. Any questions or concerns can be directed to: visualartadmin@ku.edu

We look forward to seeing you in Chalmers Hall!

Visit Us
door with ART written on it

Crimson & Blue Day | FRI, OCT 18, 2024

KU's annual Crimson & Blue Day is a campus wide open house event intended to give you a comprehensive view into all things KU. This all-in-one experience provides you with open access to our superior academic programs, student life and student services opportunities.

Department of Visual Art Tour | 11:30am | FRI, OCT 18
Learn about our programs in Ceramics, Expanded Media, Metalsmithing/Jewelry, Painting/Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Textiles/Fibers, and Visual Art Education. Guided tour of Chalmers Hall to see our extensive facilities, as well as studios, student work, and the current exhibition in the Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery. Chalmers Hall, Meet on 3rd Floor near Room 300, in front of gallery. (Ends at 12:30pm.)

Full Schedule & Registration