The University of Saint Francis is thrilled to invite high school sophomores, juniors, senior and transfer students to showcase their creative talents at our upcoming Talent Scholarship Day on Saturday, February 15 from 1-5 PM at the Rolland Art Center (1014 Leesburg Rd.) and Music Technology Facility (431 W. Berry St. in downtown Fort Wayne). Awarded scholarships are renewable for eight semesters if the required grade point average is maintained, in addition to any academic scholarships or needs-based grants a student might also receive.

This is your chance to impress our faculty with your portfolio and or audition and earn a scholarship to support your creative journey. Whether you're passionate about music technology, dance, studio art, graphic design, art education, pre-art therapy, digital media, animation, jazz ensemble, guitar ensemble, or electronic music ensemble, we want to see your work!

Why choose USF? Our dedicated faculty, supportive community, and commitment to excellence provide the perfect environment for you to thrive. Our personalized instruction and creative atmosphere will inspire you to reach new heights.

Information Sessions: In addition to reviews and auditions we will also have the following information sessions at the Rolland Art Center located on the main campus at 1014 Leesburg Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46808 from 2:00-2:45. We hope to see you there!

• USF Gallery Director, Justin Johnson: Discover the world of art at USF Galleries! Learn about what the USF Galleries have to offer and immerse yourself in the current exhibition 50th Annual High School Exhibition. See a large number of works from local and regional high schools in IN, OH, and MI!
• Division of Creative Arts Executive Director, Alison Miyauchi: Discover the diverse majors we offer and all the exciting things happening in our creative community. Don't miss this chance to ask questions and get the inside scoop from our Executive Director!
• Admissions and Financial Aid: Discover all the amazing things USF has to offer beyond your major. Learn about additional scholarship opportunities that can boost your financial aid package and make your dream of attending USF a reality. Don't miss this chance to get all your questions answered!

VISUAL ART PORTFOLIO REVIEWS

Your portfolio should be a collection of your best work—a snapshot of your artistic journey. Faculty are eager to explore your artistic journey, your current skills, and your future goals in visual art. Whether you're a painter, sculptor, digital artist, graphic designer, or mixed media master, we want to see your work! From traditional mediums like oil painting and sculpture to cutting-edge techniques like digital art and animation, there's a place for every creative at USF. 

What to Include (If Applicable):

• A Strong Foundation: Include pieces that demonstrate your fundamental skills in drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture and other core techniques.
• Personal Style: Showcase works that reflect your unique artistic vision and interests.
• Variety of Media: Experiment with different materials and techniques to highlight your versatility.
• Process: Consider including your sketchbook, studies, or work-in-progress pieces to reveal your creative process.
• Classwork and personal projects: Anything goes, but please only include work from the last two years, we want to see what you are currently working on!
• Digital images: If your work is too big or heavy, capture it digitally.

What to Expect:

• Feedback: The faculty will provide constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement.
• Questions: Be prepared to answer questions about your work, your artistic goals, and your interest in the program.
• Portfolio Evaluation: Your portfolio will be evaluated based on technical skill, creativity, and overall artistic merit.

Tips:

• Quality Over Quantity: Focus on presenting your best work rather than including a large number of pieces (15 pieces max).
• Presentation Matters: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to handle. No need for fancy framing or matting. Just let your art shine!
• Be Prepared to Discuss: Practice talking about your work and be ready to articulate your artistic intentions.

Visual art portfolio reviews take place at the Rolland Art Center located at 1014 Leesburg Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46808. For parking, please turn into our parking lot on the north side of our facilities off of Leesburg Road where you see the FREE PARKING sign. 

MUSIC PORTFOLIO REVIEWS & AUDITIONS

Faculty are excited to learn about your musical journey, your current skills, and your future goals with music technology. Whether you're a beat-making producer, jazz musician, songwriter, a vocal powerhouse, a live performer, or an instrumentalist, or a live sound/production sound engineer, we want to hear from you! From contemporary ensembles like the Electronic Music Ensemble and Rock Band to more traditional groups like Jazz and Choir, there’s something for everyone.

What to Include (If Applicable):

• Demos or Recordings: Share your music production skills with examples of original tracks, remixes, or beats you’ve created.
• Software Proficiency: Show your expertise in music production software—whether it’s DAWs like Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, or others.
• Performance: Be prepared to play/perform a song of your choosing. 
• Composition and Arrangement: Highlight your ability to create and arrange original compositions, whether for a live performance or electronic production.
• Technical Skills: Demonstrate your understanding of sound design, mixing, mastering, and other essential audio engineering concepts.
• Musical Background: Share details about your musical experience, training, or self-taught journey in areas like production, performance, or songwriting.

What to Expect:

• Technical Evaluation: Faculty will assess your proficiency in music technology, including beat-making, production software, and audio engineering principles.
• Creative Evaluation: You’ll have the chance to showcase your original work, whether through beats, compositions, or live performance, and demonstrate your creative vision.
• Musical Background Assessment: Faculty may ask about your training, background, or experience in music production or performance. 
• Feedback: Faculty will provide constructive feedback, highlighting your strengths and areas for growth.

Tips for Success:

• Showcase Your Best Work: Present demos or recordings that represent your top-level production skills and creativity.
• Be Prepared to Preform: Perform, play, sing a song of your choosing during your audition. 
• Be Ready to Discuss: Be prepared to talk about your creative process, musical influences, and goals for your future in music technology.
• Show Your Versatility: Highlight your ability to work across different genres or production styles.

Music Technology portfolio reviews and/or auditions take place at our downtown Music Technology Center located at 431 W Berry St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. For parking, please turn right into the parking lot off of Fairfield Ave. where you see the FREE PARKING sign. 

Students interested in dance auditions should reach out directly to Creative Arts Coordinator Molly McGowan at mmcgowan@sf.edu or 260-399-8064.