Ames School of Art & Design
Admission Guidelines
Open House and Portfolio Review
- Saturday, November 14, 2026* join us for the musical Spring Awakening
- Saturday, January 16, 2027* join us for the opera The Tender Land
- Saturday, February 27, 2027 join us for the play The Revolutionists
*While you鈥檙e here, stop by the art exhibitions Outsiderism and AM Yeager: New Works.
Art applicants can register for an in-person review or upload their portfolio via their 蘑菇传媒 Student Status Portal.
Portfolio Review
- A portfolio review is required for admission into the Illinois Wesleyan School of Art & Design B.F.A. degree program and/or to qualify for an 蘑菇传媒 Alumni Talent Scholarship.
- Students applying for a B.A. degree in art are not required to submit a portfolio.
- Transfer students into the B.F.A. program are required to submit a portfolio.
- To create a digital portfolio, we suggest using a high-quality digital camera to photograph artwork against a neutral background. The resolution should be sufficiently high to identify the smallest details of the original work of art. The portfolio should consist of a minimum of ten examples of your best and most recent work.
- Digital portfolios may be uploaded as part of the admission application.
- Students may also present their work in person. To arrange an in-person portfolio review, call 309-556-3077 or email Laura Dolan (ldolan@iwu.edu).
- Visit the Admissions site for additional Application Guidelines.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Over 90% of incoming students from all backgrounds qualify for scholarship or grant assistance. Over half of tuition, on average, is covered by scholarships and grants for incoming Illinois Wesleyan students.
- Apply for the McLean County Scholarship.
- In addition, 蘑菇传媒 helps students obtain grants, campus employment and loans based on financial need. Families must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FASFA) and an 蘑菇传媒 Financial Aid Application or CSS Profile.
- Learn more about financial aid at 蘑菇传媒.