National Portfolio Days

What are National Portfolio Days?

National Portfolio Days are annual events held in multiple locations across the United States, Canada, and Europe. They are designed to provide a unique opportunity for you to meet individually with professional representatives of accredited colleges and universities and receive valuable feedback and guidance on your portfolio before you submit it as part of your application. Meet with college representatives and share information about your background, your work, and your post-secondary plans, while also getting informed about different colleges or universities and their application process.

Some representatives may accept your portfolio as the visual portion of your application, but no admission decisions or scholarship awards will be offered. All representatives will be happy to discuss their specific programs of study and provide answers to questions about the availability of scholarships and financial aid.

You will leave inspired, with advice on how to improve or present your portfolio, and having experienced a small taste of what it is like to attend a professional art and design program. Visit nationalportfolioday.org for more information.

What should I bring to a National Portfolio Day?

A portfolio of visual artwork that includes your best and most recent work. It can also include works in progress, sketchbooks, and tear sheets. Don’t hesitate to explain how you develop your ideas and where you want to go with them. It is recommended to bring no more than 15 works. The portfolio can be presented as physical work or digitally on screen. Make note that wifi may not be available at all locations.

Can't make it to our Minneapolis event in September or Santa Fe event in October? Come visit an MCAD representative in these cities during the 2026/27 NPD cycle:

Register for any of these events on National Portfolio Day's website.

Graduate National Portfolio Days

If you are interested in a graduate program, attend a Graduate National Portfolio Day hosted around the country. MCAD Admissions representatives attend these events. Please check the official schedule, as the events are subject to change (including locations, times, and dates).

Register for any of these events on National Portfolio Day's website.

Questions

For more information, visit the National Portfolio Day website. If you have any questions about the events hosted by MCAD, please contact the Admissions Office at 612.874.3760 or 1.800.874.MCAD ext. 1 or by emailing admissions@mcad.edu.

Admissions events hosted by MCAD are always free and open to the public.

Visitor Information

For information on directions to MCAD, parking, and nearby hotels, please refer to our Visit MCAD page. Limited free parking is available on Minneapolis streets surrounding the college. Please check out the Minnesota Department of Transportation website for road closure updates.