Visit and Events

See SAIC Days

Join us in Chicago for a brief presentation on our curriculum and resources, student-led campus tours of our academic and studio buildings, and optional one-on-one portfolio reviews with Undergraduate Admissions Counselors!
We'll be offering 2 time options on both days so you can choose the session that works best for your schedule.

SAIC Days and One-On-One Meetings

SAIC Days are special 3 hour events that take place in select cities from September - November. These events are a perfect opportunity to get one-on-one feedback on your portfolio, meet with SAIC faculty and staff, and learn more about our interdisciplinary curriculum.

One-on-one meetings give you individual time with an admissions counselor to get feedback on your portfolio, or just ask any questions you may have!

National Portfolio Days

National Portfolio Days (NPDs) take place throughout the year, and SAIC participates in all of them. Representatives from SAIC are ALWAYS available to provide 10-15 minute portfolio reviews of prospective students' work, give you valuable feedback and guidance on your portfolio before you submit it as part of your application, and to speak about SAIC's curriculum.

Online National Portfolio Days

International SAIC Days and One-on-One Meetings

SAIC Days are special events that take place in select cities around the world from August - December. These events are a perfect opportunity to get one-on-one feedback on your portfolio, meet with SAIC faculty and staff, and learn more about our interdisciplinary curriculum.

We'll also be available in select cities for one-on-one meetings with our admissions representatives. You are welcome to bring your work for feedback, or just ask any questions you may have.

Virtual Events

Take a live tour of our campus and residence halls with our current students, and ask any questions you have!

Virtual: Wednesdays at 4:00 pm CT

On-Campus: Daily, Monday - Friday and select Saturdays (Please plan to arrive 15 minutes in advance for check-in.)

A maximum of 3 people are allowed per party, including the prospective student.
Advance registration is required.

Schedule a Virtual or In-Person Tour
Take an on-demand tour of our Residence Halls

We offer you the opportunity to meet with an admission counselor before or after our on-campus tours to have your portfolio reviewed, or just get more information about SAIC. Reservations are required due to a strict capacity limit. All guests must wear a mask throughout the duration of the tour.

Tour guests should arrive at the LeRoy Neiman Center at 37 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL, 60603 15 minutes in advance of the scheduled tour time. Tours typically last 90 minutes.

Our tours include the following:

• A brief presentation providing an overview of SAIC’s campus and curriculum
• A look inside our campus buildings (2) and facilities, including our Contemporary Practices department
• Visiting one of our residence halls
• Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago museum
• Introduction to our downtown campus—wear comfortable shoes!

Can't attend our live tour?

Check out our self-guided virtual tour.

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2022 Teacher Toolbox Workshop and Luncheon

Friday, September 23, 2022

9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. CT (check in begins at 8:45 a.m.) 
Optional Campus Tours: 2:30–3:30 p.m. CT

SAIC MacLean Ballroom
112 S. Michigan Ave. 
Chicago, IL 60603

RSVP

This year’s Teacher Toolbox Workshop will explore the important concepts of mindful making and self-care. The challenges of the past few years have emphasized the already important need for busy teachers to rest, recharge, and refuel. Our keynote address and workshops will focus on strategies to incorporate these concepts into your work with students, as well as into your professional practice.

This free event will feature:

• “Put Your Oxygen Mask On First” Keynote Address
• Several short hands-on workshop options
• Dedicated networking time
• Optional tour of the Art Institute of Chicago museum and School of the Art Institute Campus

Breakfast and lunch will be served. Illinois educators who attend this workshop are eligible for CPDU credit.

Contact us at 312.629.6100 or ugadmiss@saic.edu with any questions you may have.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: How to Apply and Submit Your Portfolio

Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Watch Recording

You've created artwork, documented it, and made your final selections. Now, it's time to apply! We'll show you how to access the Common Application and walk you through the steps to complete and submit your application and SlideRoom portfolio.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Making Assignments Work for You

Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Watch Recording

How can you go beyond what's expected when working on an assignment? How have artists previously incorporated assignments and prompts into their creative practices? SAIC Admissions Counselors give you the inside scoop on how to approach assignment-based work so you can include it in your portfolio.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: What is a Portfolio & Where to Start?

Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Watch Recording

Applying to art school usually means providing images of your artwork in the form of a portfolio. But how do you get started? How do you know what to include and what to leave out? And how do artists use this important tool in their professional lives? Join us to find out!

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Pro Tips for Documenting Your Work at Home

Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Watch Recording

Taking great photos of your work is just as important as making it! In this hour long workshop, SAIC faculty will walk you through how to capture and edit high quality photos for your application. We'll also cover tips for using household materials and a smart phone in this process.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Making Anime / Fan Art / Comics Your Own

Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Watch Recording

Are you currently contemplating the age old question of "Is it okay to submit anime, fan art, or comics in a portfolio for art school?" We'll do a deep dive exploring the topics of authorship, originality, and appropriation in art to help you decide how to move forward if you have an interest in this style of work.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Sketchbook Deep Dive & Intro to Journaling

Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Watch Recording

Sketchbooks and journals are essential companions for artists. Together, we'll look at interesting ways to use them and how they can help you build a strong portfolio.

Transfer Days

June 8, 2022: Admissions Info
Watch Now

Join us to learn how to prepare your application and portfolio for admission and merit scholarship, and take a deep dive into the specifics about our transfer credit policy with a representative from the Office of the Registrar. 

June 9, 2022: Faculty and Interdisciplinary Curriculum
Watch Now

Faculty representatives will discuss SAIC's interdisciplinary curriculum and how it informs the creative process as they practice it and as they teach it.

2021 Recordings

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Documentation as Process

Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Watch the Recording

In this live workshop, an SAIC faculty member will lead you through an hour long making session. This week, we'll use methods of recording your work as part of the creative process.

Art School 101

Saturday, July 24, 2021
Watch the Recording

In this online session ideal for both students and their families/guardians, we will be giving an overview of an art and design school education. We will also be covering topics including: how to determine whether a school is a good fit, the application process, merit scholarship, and portfolio preparation. There will be plenty of time to get all of your questions answered!

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Workshop- Rapid Experiments

Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Watch the Recording

In this hour long workshop, an SAIC faculty member will walk us through how to build up a substantial body of work through rapid experiments.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Renew, Reuse, Recycle

Tuesday, August 24
Watch the Recording

In this hour long workshop, an SAIC faculty member will walk us through using unsuccessful or unresolved work as material to make something new.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: What to Include- & NOT Include- in Your Portfolio

Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Watch the Recording

How do you know what different schools are looking for in a portfolio? Is it the same for every degree program? Join us to learn how to research and follow portfolio requirements. We will review specific requirements for SAIC's 5 different degree programs.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Artist Statement A to Z

Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Watch the Recording

Have you run into a case of writer's block? You've made some awesome artwork, but how do you write about it? Join us to learn everything you need to know about constructing an artist statement. We will explain the purpose of an artist statement and offer tips for getting started and editing your statement.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Workshop- Documentation 101

Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Watch the Recording

Taking great photos of your work is just as important as making it! In this hour long workshop, SAIC faculty will walk you through how to capture and edit high quality photos for your application. We'll also cover tips for using household materials and a smart phone in this process.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Behind the Scenes of your SlideRoom Portfolio Review

Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Watch the Recording

What does your SlideRoom Portfolio look like from the reviewer's point of view? Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how SAIC reviewers evaluate portfolios and see how submitted SlideRoom portfolios look from our perspective.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Curating & Editing your Final Portfolio

Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Watch the Recording

Join us to learn how to think like a curator when you select the final body of work for your portfolio. We'll review how to arrange your strongest pieces in the order that will work best. We'll also touch on strategies and tips for titling and formatting your work.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Don't Panic! Pre-Deadline Portfolio Q & A

Tuesday, November 9, 2021
5 p.m. CT
Watch the Recording

SAIC Admissions is here to help with any questions you have leading up to our Early Action deadline on November 15th. Don't panic - we're hosting this live Q+A session to help you hit the "Submit" button with confidence.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Jumpstart your Creativity

Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Watch the Recording

Do you need some inspiration and motivation to finish a few more pieces for your portfolio? Are you having creative block and need a little help to think of ideas for new artwork? Would you like to have the inside scoop to make sure you do your best work finishing your SAIC merit scholarship portfolio? Join an SAIC faculty member to get some ideas and refresh your creativity.

Student Financial Services: How to Apply for Financial Aid Using the FAFSA

Thursday, December 2, 2021
Watch Now

Join this online info session to assist you in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), applying for scholarships and identifying other sources of funding, and understanding your award. There will be time after the presentation to ask any questions you may have.