AP Art and Design Program

Learn about the course and portfolio for AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing.

Overview

In an AP Art and Design course, you’ll develop the skills that artists and designers use and create a portfolio of work you’ll submit for an AP score.

The AP Art and Design Program includes three different courses and portfolio exams:

1. AP 2-D Art and Design

2. AP 3-D Art and Design

3. AP Drawing

The Skills You’ll Learn

In an AP Art and Design course, you’ll practice and develop these skills:

1. Investigation
   Investigating the materials, processes, and ideas that artists and designers use

2. Experimentation
   Practicing, experimenting, and revising as you create your own work

3. Communication
   Communicating your ideas about works of art and design

Your Goal for the Course

You’ll create a portfolio of college-level work and submit it for evaluation (instead of taking a year-end paper-and-pencil AP Exam). A qualifying portfolio score can earn you college credit and/or advanced placement.

Portfolio Examples

Want to see examples of portfolio submissions? Check out the 2020 AP Art and Design Exhibit, which showcases outstanding artwork created by students for the May 2020 exam.

Your Portfolio Requirements

All three AP Art and Design Portfolio Exams contain two sections:

1. Sustained Investigation (60% of total score) > Sustained Investigation

2. Selected Works (40% of total score) > Selected Works

Requirements for the three courses differ slightly

Review the Sustained Investigation and Selected Works section overviews for guidance on building your portfolio.

AP 2-D Art and Design Portfolio

Sustained Investigation

• 15 digital images and responses to prompts: some may be detail and process images.

• Images demonstrate sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision.

Selected Works

• 5 artworks and responses to prompts. In the 2020-21 school year, Selected Works will be submitted digitally only. There are no physical portfolios in 2020-21.

• Works demonstrate synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas using 2-D art and design skills.

• Work may—but doesn’t have to—come from the Sustained Investigation section.

AP 3-D Art and Design Portfolio

Sustained Investigation

• 15 digital images and responses to prompts: some may be details, second views, or process images.

• Images demonstrate sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision.

Selected Works

• 10 digital images of 5 works (2 views of each) with responses to prompts.

• Works demonstrate synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas using 3-D art and design skills.

• Work may—but doesn’t have to—come from the Sustained Investigation section.

AP Drawing Portfolio

Sustained Investigation

• 15 digital images and responses to prompts: some may be detail and process images.

• Images demonstrate sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision.

Selected Works

• 5 artworks and responses to prompts. In the 2020-21 school year, Selected Works will be submitted digitally only. There are no physical portfolios in 2020-21.

• Works demonstrate synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas using drawing skills.

• Work may—but doesn’t have to—come from the Sustained Investigation section.

Your Portfolio Process

Take these steps to build your portfolio and submit it for scoring

1. Check Portfolio Policies

Learn about important rules and guidelines to follow when developing your portfolio.

Read the Policies

2. Plan Your Portfolio

Use the timeline to help you complete and submit your portfolio by the deadline.

View the Timeline

3. Submit Your Portfolio

You’ll submit images of your work online. See how digital submission works.

Get an Overview