We are excited to see the work you make, and help you prepare a scholarship-winning application and portfolio!
The events we’ve prepared below are designed to help you learn about us, and prepare a portfolio that best represents you and your unique artistic vision. We can't wait to help you prepare for your creative future!
National Portfolio Day (Online)
Saturday, May 21, 12-4 p.m. CT
Meet with SAIC faculty and admissions staff to get feedback on your work, or just ask questions about studying at the nation's most influential art and design school. SAIC attends ALL National Portfolio Days, and reps are always available for one-on-one portfolio reviews with prospective students.
Transfer Days
June 8: Admissions Info
RSVP
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: Faculty and Interdisciplinary Curriculum
RSVP
Faculty representatives will discuss SAIC's interdisciplinary curriculum and how it informs the creative process as they practice it and as they teach it.
June 10: Virtual Transfer Open House
RSVP
Drop in for last minute questions about your Portfolio, Application, Transfer Credit, or anything on your mind related to transferring to SAIC!
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.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and advance registration 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.
If you would like to meet with us or have us review your portfolio virtually, you may schedule an appointment online or contact us at ugadmiss@saic.edu or 1.312.629.6100. All appointments are in central time, please schedule accordingly.
During these 30-45 minute virtual sessions, faculty, alumni and admissions counselors will provide valuable feedback on your work for both admission and merit scholarship consideration. Have sketchbooks, finished pieces, and your questions prepared.
You will present images of your work live via screen-share. You can also share links with the reviewer utilizing the Zoom chat box. You don't need to upload anything in advance.
Our admissions counselors are happy to meet with you and assist you through the admissions process. Engage with our representatives about SAIC, your work, our curriculum, and get a better sense of what it is like to be a student at SAIC. Call us any time M-F, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (CT) at 1.312.629.6100 or 1.800.232.7242.
Past Events
| Date and Time | Format | Topic | RSVP Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 20 + 22, 2021 | Virtual | SAIC Overview for International Students | Watch the Recording |
| September 27 + 29, 2021 | Virtual | Art School 101 for International Students | Watch the Recording |
| October 4 + 6, 2021 | Virtual | Portfolio Tips for International Students | Watch the Recording |
| October 18 + 20, 2021 | Virtual | SAIC Overview for International Students | Watch the Recording |
| October 25 + 27, 2021 | Virtual | Art School 101 for International Students | Watch the Recording |
| November 1 + 3, 2021 | Virtual | Portfolio Tips for International Students | Watch the Recording |
Educator Appy Hour: Community-Based Design Projects
Thursday, November 18
4:30-5:30 p.m. CT
Event Passed
Join highly acclaimed faculty and designer Eric Hotchkiss, Director of Civic Engagement Jaclyn Jacunski, SAIC students, as well as teachers from your area to learn more about youth-led design projects in Chicago. In particular we will share information about how youth worked alongside faculty and community leaders designing a new 18-hole course in Douglas Park in the West Side neighborhood. In addition to meeting with Eric, we’ll also save time for you to meet with one of our college admissions counselors at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) to gather updates and information about the college admissions process at the School of the Art of Chicago (SAIC).
Learn more about the Douglas 18 mini-golf course project.
View school-wide online and in-person events at saic.edu/events!
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.
Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Sketchbook Deep Dive & Intro to Journaling
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Watch the 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.
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.
You are Almost Here! Financial Aid Final Steps
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Watch the Recording
You are invited to attend an online information session with SAIC's Student Financial Services office. We will help answer any last minute questions you may have about payments, loans and more. Topics will include:
- Important Dates
- Making Payments
- Setting Up Payment Plans
- Health Insurance Waivers
- Loan Processing Steps
- and more!
There will be time for individual questions during and after the webinar.
Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Making Assignments Work for You
Tuesday, August 10
Watch the 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: 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 is a Portfolio & Where to Start
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Watch the 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: 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: Making Anime / Fan Art / Comics your Own
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Watch the 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.
Transfer Friday
Friday, October 1, 2021
Watch the Recording
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is hosting an online information session on the first Friday of every month specifically for students wishing to transfer to SAIC. We will be covering topics including how to prepare your portfolio for admission and merit scholarship, submitting your application, and specifics about our transfer credit policy.
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.
Student Financial Services: How to Apply for Financial Aid Using the FAFSA
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Watch the Recording
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is hosting an online information session to assist you in filling 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.
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: How to Apply and Submit Your Portfolio
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Watch the 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: 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.
Transfer Friday
Friday, December 3, 2021
Watch Now
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is hosting an online information session on the first Friday of every month specifically for students wishing to transfer to SAIC. We will be covering topics including how to prepare your portfolio for admission and merit scholarship, submitting your application, and specifics about our transfer credit policy.
