Art + Design Foundations Review at APSU

Important Dates - Spring 2026

• Review Date: Friday, April 10, 2026

• Sign-up Deadline: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

• Written Questions Due: Monday, April 6, 2026 by 4:00 PM

What is the Foundations Review?

The Foundations Review is a required assessment for all Art + Design majors at Austin Peay State University. This evaluation ensures students meet the department's standards of excellence before advancing into B.A. or B.F.A. programs. During the review, students present their portfolio and discuss their artistic development with full-time faculty members.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must complete these foundation courses before applying:

• ART 1045: Drawing I

• ART 1340: Foundations Studio 1

• ART 1350: Foundations Studio 2

• ART 1360: Foundations Studio 3

Portfolio Requirements

What to Bring to the Review

• 12-15 pieces of artwork

• Best work from all four Foundations courses

• Additional work from other studio courses taken at APSU

• Pieces that demonstrate current interests and artistic direction

• Work completed within the last two years

Getting Help

If unsure about portfolio selection, schedule an appointment with a faculty member for guidance. Students requiring accommodations through DSSC should contact Professor Fahnestock at fahnestockm@apsu.edu.

Keep an eye out for emails, posters, and announcements about Foundations Review Workshops where you can get a walk through of the review and can ask questions.

Review Process

1. Faculty evaluation of portfolio

2. Individual discussion about completed work

3. Assessment of future career goals

4. Immediate faculty vote with three possible outcomes:

   • Approve
   • Deny
   • Defer

Application Process

Step 1: Initial Registration

• Complete the online sign-up form below

• Wait for confirmation email (typically 1-2 days)

Step 2: Written Component

Submit answers to the following questions to art@apsu.edu as a Microsoft Word document:

1. Describe your strengths as an artist/designer. Describe your strengths as a student. Are they different?

2. Describe what you consider to be your weaknesses as an artist/designer. What is one thing you would change to be a better artist/designer?

3. Identify your most successful piece that you are showing us for your Foundations Review and describe what makes it successful?

4. Identify a piece that you are showing us for your Foundations Review that could have been more successful and describe how you would make it better.

5. Identify artists or artistic movements that you have been exposed to here at APSU. How have these artists and/or movements inspired you and how? Be specific: think about how artists and movements have impacted your work and your way of creating.

6. Describe any experiences outside of APSU that fueled your desire to succeed as an artist/designer Identify artists/designers who inspire you outside of APSU courses.

Step 3: Schedule Review

• Follow instructions in confirmation email to select a review time slot

• Reviews typically occur in November and April

Resources

The Art + Design Foundations Review Guide is available from:

• The Art + Design office
• Your academic advisor

The guide includes:

• Detailed instructions
• FAQ section
• Sample answers from previous reviews
• Faculty assessment rubric

Sign Up Form

The sign up form for Spring will open on Monday March 2, 2026