Students currently in 8th-11th grades may apply for the Half-Day Arts Conservatory (9-12 Grade)

The Visual Arts Department creates a supportive and challenging arts environment that enables students to experience the discipline, knowledge and dedication required to excel in the Visual Arts field. Artist-teachers and visiting artists serve as mentors to student-artists-introducing students to contemporary and historical art, and the principles of artistic forms. Critiques allow students opportunities to practice art analysis, to improve their own work through feedback, and to discuss the work of their peers. In two- and three-dimensional studio classes, students are encouraged to concentrate on technical proficiency, creative problem solving and self-discovery. This focused curriculum increases confidence and skill, and allows students to explore new possibilities and become increasingly self-directed. NOCCA Visual Arts has the following levels of instruction: Levels I-IV.

With your completed application (First round pre-screen):
Submit Your Portfolio For Review:
All applicants will upload a digital portfolio of carefully chosen examples of work. Images of the artwork can be taken with a cell phone or a camera. Please be sure that the images are clear and present your portfolio at its best. To avoid glare on the image, it is recommended that with artwork that is framed under glass, that the glass be removed before photographing. Here is a helpful video, made by our photography teacher, about how to take high quality images with your cell phone and  available light: Tips for Photographing Your Work

Students should submit outstanding original work that demonstrates time and care:

• 10 pieces are required
• There must be at least 2-3 artworks from direct observation in the portfolio. “Direct observation” means creating an artwork  while looking at the real objects (not from a picture or screen).
• You can include a variety of media and approaches (drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography and digital art are all accepted).
• All work should have been created within the last 2 years by the applicant.
• No AI (Artificial Intelligence) generated work allowed.

In addition to department requirements, each applicant will: 

• Upload to the application a 1-2 minute video of the applicant answering the question, “Why do I want to train at NOCCA?”
• Upload to the application a copy of the most recent report card. Applicants must have at least a 2.0 GPA.
• Be prepared with the email of an adult who is not related to you to complete your recommendation. Your recommender will receive an email from Acceptd with a link to fill out a recommendation form online.

Following a review of the applications and portfolios, selected students will be invited to an in-person audition on NOCCA’s campus.

At the audition (Second round by invitation only):
This entire process could last 1.5-2 hours.

• Drawing: In a group drawing class environment, applicants will create a drawing from direct observation from existing still-life set ups. Drawing from “direct observation” means creating a drawing while looking at the real objects (not from a picture). “Still life” means an arrangement of objects that will be the subject of the drawing. The drawing will be completed in pencil on a piece of printer paper (8-1/2″x11″ paper). We will provide all needed materials. We recommend that your drawing fills the whole page and that you use a full range of values. “Value” means using shading (drawing the lights and darks that you see) in your drawing. Students will draw for at least one hour.
• Writing: Applicants will write responses to an image of an artwork based on open-ended questions. This activity will last about five minutes, and the written work will be read by the applicant during the interview.
• Interview: Faculty members will talk with applicants about: their still-life Drawing, their Writing activity, their academic strengths, and why they want to attend NOCCA. The interview will last about five minutes.

Students will be contacted via email with the faculty’s recommendations: acceptance to Level I or Level 2, or recommendation of non-credit “Experience NOCCA” classes.