Distinguished Artist Award

The DAA is granted to incoming first-year students. It provides eligible students with $3,000 each year towards their college costs and is renewable for up to four years.

The deadline for submitting a visual arts portfolio is February 18, 2024.

Application

To apply for a DAA in Visual Arts, submit:

• A completed Common Application to Hope College
• A completed DAA application

When we receive your portfolio, you will receive an automated email response. If you do not receive an email, we have not received your portfolio. Please contact Nicole Wetzel via email or at 616.395.7500.

Decisions will be announced by the Admissions office and the Department of Art & Art History mid-March.

Portfolio information

A portfolio submission is required in order to be considered for a DAA scholarship. Submit 15 individual digital images (jpeg) via the application. Size each file between 100 kb and 1 mb.

You can schedule an appointment with a studio professor to discuss your portfolio by contacting the Department of Art & Art History via email or at 616.395.7500, or the Admissions office via email or at 800.968.7850 or 616.395.7850.

What is a portfolio?

A portfolio of art work should be a collection of your best and most recent work. It is a crucial part of your application. The portfolio helps the school evaluate your achievements and potential, and represents your view of yourself and your work.

Many different portfolios are necessary during your career as an artist, including for:

• Graduate school
• Exhibits
• Galleries
• Buyers
• Employers

The preparation of each portfolio varies according to its purpose. The admissions portfolio required for application to most professional fine art and design schools should include 10–20 pieces in a variety of media. Fewer pieces may not allow an accurate assessment of your potential. The college will be interested in your drawing ability and use of color in two-dimensional and three-dimensional work.

We can give you suggestions and technical assistance, but there is no exact formula for preparing the “right” portfolio. Art teachers can help you with the selection and photography of your work, but you should make the final decisions on what best represents you.

Photographing your artwork

Learn how to photograph artwork for your digital portfolio 

Renewal Criteria

If you receive a DAA award, it will be renewed every year if you maintain a minimum 2.6 GPA. DAA recipients are required to declare either a minor or a major in studio art. Please see the catalog for full program descriptions. We encourage you to submit work into a juried show on or off campus each fall.