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.
Guidance for Artificial Intelligence Tools and Other Services
The use of Artificial Intelligence tools is categorically prohibited at any stage of the creative process in AP Art and Design. Read Our Policy on Artificial Intelligence.
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. AP Art and Design students submit their portfolios digitally through the AP Digital Portfolio. Students do not mail physical work to the AP Program.
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.
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.
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.
The Skills You’ll Learn
In an AP Art and Design course, you’ll practice and develop the skills that artists and designers use.
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, advanced placement, or both.
Portfolio Requirements
AP Art and Design portfolio exams contain two sections: Sustained Investigation and Selected Works. Requirements for the three courses differ slightly.
Sustained Investigation
This section (60% of your total score) should show a body of related works that demonstrate an inquiry-based investigation of materials, processes, and ideas.
Selected Works
Your Selected Works section (40% of total score) should feature five artworks that best demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas.
The Portfolio Process
Follow these steps to build your portfolio and submit it for scoring.