All Access

A portfolio preparatory program for young New York City artists with unique visions

Please note that the All Access summer program has been replaced with an Advanced Saturday Art Workshop offered during the spring semester each year.  Details can be found here: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/art/education/visionary_studio/advanced_art_workshop

All Access is a free and intensive portfolio prep program aimed at New York City's young artists (high school juniors and seniors) who are interested in applying to art schools or art programs in larger universities. It is designed for young people interested in pursuing a career as a professional artist.

All Access is dedicated specifically to populations who would otherwise be unable to pursue higher education and a career in the visual arts. All Access believes in building an artist's portfolio and college application package from the uniqueness of the artist's vision; it is committed to helping students gain the skills and knowledge to execute their vision.

Many communities throughout New York City have long gone without in-depth arts experiences in the schools and/or involvement with cultural and artistic institutions, yet they have developed grassroots solutions to address creative and artistic needs. We believe that these approaches hold the same validity as those that are considered the norm, i.e. that graffiti and figure drawing both offer important experiences that are valuable in sharpening a vision and shaping a career. Our program, therefore, offers a unique approach - teaching traditional rules and then asking students to innovate personal expressions that challenge or break those rules.

The four-week program guides students through studio art classes, visiting artist lectures, and gallery and museum visits. It culminates with portfolio assembly, mock portfolio reviews and interviews, discussions about career options, and selection of appropriate schools for application. A highly promoted final exhibition of student work will also be mounted. Art school recruiters will be invited to this exhibit and All Access will help to facilitate admission and scholarships whenever possible.

The All Access Curriculum:
Drawing Studio - includes the fundamentals of drawing (perspective, figure, space, shadow, etc.)

Painting Studio - combines painting and design elements to address color, composition, and imagery

Sculpture Studio - combines sculpture, industrial design, and architecture to address form, construction methods, materials, etc.

Visionary Studio - combines all media to focus on the individual approaches of each student. Projects are more concept-driven and based on creative problem solving.

Portfolio Seminar - team taught by all professors and attended by all students together. Students present portfolios in progress for group critique, including guest critics and presentations (by artists, professors, administrators, school admissions representatives.)

Weekly Field Visits - group outings to artist studios, museums, galleries, and art schools.

Class time is split between in-class projects, critique discussions of assigned homework, and an introduction/presentation for the next week’s assignment.

The intention of the program is for the cumulative affect of all the classes and field trips to inform the creation of each student’s portfolio. Ideally, themes and issues raised by the students can be considered in the different classes and create a momentum for the program that is specific to the group of participants.

For further information:
Chris Bogia, Program Coordinator
cjb203@nyu.edu