Advice for Honors Applications
THINK ABOUT WHOM YOU MIGHT WANT TO WORK WITH
While you do not have to identify a faculty sponsor to apply to the honors program, it is a good idea to get feedback on your ideas and the work you plan to submit.
If you have not had the opportunity to work regularly with the permanent faculty, start by making an appointment with faculty members who would be likely advisers for your project and introduce yourself and your work. You can also make an appointment to speak with the Director if Undergraduate Studies in Studio Art, or the Undergraduate Advisor who may be able to offer further advice.
YOUR PROPOSAL
Your proposal should outline a specific project. You should discuss the themes or ideas that you intend to explore with a plan for the approach you intend to begin with. Remember that this is a VISUAL research project. It is important to include discussion of your ideas in visual terms. It is appropriate to discuss the media that you intend to work in and the reason for choosing this approach. You may cite intellectual and artistic influences, especially other artists whose work you find inspirational. You may wish to highlight your experience or individual works that you have done that provide a particular foundation for this inquiry. We have every expectation that the project will evolve as you conduct your research, but you should minimally indicate where you will begin and the questions that are guiding your initial inquiry. It is appropriate to note anticipated learning curves (formal/technical things that you will add to the realm of your inquiry, or that you expect to enhance)
WORKS TO SUBMIT
The 6-8 works that you submit must “demonstrate the capacity to perform mature visual research.” Do not give a “sampler” of every technique that you have done. Do not submit work done in foundation-level classes. This should be your best, preferably most recent, work. While it is not necessary for the application pieces to relate directly to the proposal, it is helpful if some of the work relates, either in thematic connection or in formal, stylistic approach. A strong application is one that shows an integration of concept and technique. It is better if you have several related pieces so that the faculty can discern your capacity for a depth of inquiry. A successful application has technically proficient work that goes beyond obvious class assignments. The work should display your capacity to ask and answer your own questions.
DOCUMENTATION
Since the application is completely digital, it will be imperative that you have good quality images. Make sure your images are in focus, properly lit and of sufficient resolution so that they are clear on screen. If you don’t know how to do this consult the tip sheets on Sakai.