Art as a Hook for Highly Selective Colleges?

[ckohsa]

<p>T26E4: I did not notice your reply when I replied, thanks for the tip, I will keep it in mind in the future</p>

[Pastel]

<p>I actually just saw this thread get revived! But I think it’s a good discussion nevertheless, and I just wanted to thank everyone for the responses. But now that it is back up, what exactly is a “prestigious art competition?” I’ve won a lot of national/international, but I don’t know the Siemens/Intel/Davidson equivalent. Maybe NFAA youngARTS?</p>

[Yeti_Crab]

<p>Could you PM me your art? I’ll be glad to send you mine in return. :)</p>

[Ari7]

<p>

Though talent in a particular area is great for college admission, I think what adcoms are looking for is how talented artists, musicians, photographers, etc. are using their artistic gift to contribute to the community. Colleges don’t want students who are going to be locked up in the studio all day painting; they want people who are going to paint murals at elementary school, teach painting to under-priviledged students, etc. (These are just random examples of using one’s skills not only to help oneself, but others as well).

</p>

<p>Had a question about this, so I wanted to bump…</p>

<p>What if you’re on the opposite end of the spectrum? I consider myself a serious artist, but I don’t have any awards (never entered a contest), nor have I ever been featured in a gallery or even taken lessons…instead my art is service-oriented. I do auctions for charity, I started a ‘business’ that does illustrations and I donate those earnings as well, I volunteer as a photographer for a bunch of different nonprofits and school groups/publications - things along that line.
I’ve had an experienced artist look at my stuff and she really encouraged me to submit an art supplement, but will top colleges take me seriously if I don’t have any awards or recognition? (because I’m sure there are people with both awards and service!)</p>