AP Art and Design Program

In an AP Art and Design course, you’ll create a portfolio of work and submit it for an AP score.

Explore the Courses

The AP Art and Design program includes three different courses and portfolio exams.

AP 2-D Art and Design

Develop your 2-D skills through materials and processes such as graphic design, photography, collage, printmaking, and fashion illustration.

Learn More About the 2-D Course

AP 3-D Art and Design

Develop 3-D skills in materials and processes such as sculpture, architectural rendering and models, metal work, ceramics, and glass work.

Learn More About the 3-D Course

AP Drawing

Develop your drawing skills as you experiment with materials and processes such as analog and digital drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media work.

Learn More About the Drawing Course

The Skills You’ll Learn

In an AP Art and Design course, you’ll practice and develop the skills that artists and designers use.

Investigation

You’ll investigate the materials, processes, and ideas that artists and designers use.

Experimentation

You’ll practice, experiment, and revise as you create your own work.

Communication

You’ll strengthen your ability to communicate your ideas about works of art and design.

Building Your Portfolio

You’ll create a digital portfolio of college-level work and submit it for evaluation. A qualifying portfolio exam score can earn you college credit, advanced placement, or both.

Get Inspired

Check out the 2024 AP Art and Design Exhibit, which showcases outstanding artwork created by students for the May 2024 AP Exam.

Go to the Exhibit

The Portfolio Process

Follow these steps to build your portfolio and submit it for scoring through the AP Digital Portfolio.

Check Portfolio Policies

Review the rules and guidelines for building your portfolio.

Read the Policies

Plan Your Portfolio

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

View the Timeline

Submit Your Portfolio

You’ll submit your portfolio for scoring through the AP Digital Portfolio.

See How It Works

Portfolio Exam Requirements

AP Art and Design portfolio exams contain two sections: Sustained Investigation and Selected Works. Requirements for the three courses differ slightly.

Sustained Investigation

Find guidelines for building and submitting the Sustained Investigation section of your portfolio exam.

Review Sustained Investigation Details

Selected Works

Find guidelines for building and submitting the Selected Works section of your portfolio exam.

Review Selected Works Details

Resources

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AP Art and Design Digital Submission Guide for Students

Review this guide for complete instructions to submit your AP Art and Design sustained investigation, written evidence, and selected works portfolio components as final.