If you’re a talented artist, musician, actor, or dancer applying to college, your creative work can be a powerful part of your application. Many colleges allow or encourage students with significant artistic talent to submit an “arts supplement” – often an art portfolio college applicants submit, a music supplement application, or a theater audition college requires. This arts supplement guide explains what these are, who should submit one, and how to navigate the process, including using platforms like Cirkled In.
💡Pro tip: Organize all your extracurriculars and achievements—including your arts portfolio—on Cirkled in to make your college apps stand out even more.

What is an Arts Supplement?

An arts supplement is extra material submitted alongside your standard college application (like the Common App) to showcase your artistic talent. It allows faculty in the arts departments (music, art, theater, dance) to review your abilities. It’s separate from applying as an arts major (which often has mandatory portfolio/audition requirements), although the materials might be similar. This is for students applying to the college generally who also have significant artistic achievements they want considered.

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Who Should Submit an Arts Supplement?

Submit a supplement only if:

1. The College Accepts Them: Check each college’s admissions website carefully. Some welcome them, others discourage them unless you are majoring in the arts. Don’t send unsolicited materials.
2. Your Talent is Exceptional: Your skill level should be significantly high for a high school student – think state/national level recognition, leading roles, principal chairs, advanced repertoire, or a very strong, well-curated portfolio. A supplement showcasing mediocre talent can actually hurt your application.
3. It Adds Something New: Your talent should represent a significant commitment and achievement not fully captured in your activities list.

If you’re unsure, ask your arts teacher or college counselor for an honest assessment of your work’s quality relative to college submission standards.

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Common Components of Arts Supplements

Depending on the art form and the college, supplements might include:

• Visual Arts: Digital images of your best work (drawings, paintings, sculptures, photography, graphic design). Usually 10-20 pieces. See visual arts portfolio requirements.
• Music: Audio or video recordings of performances (solo pieces, contrasting styles). Specific repertoire requirements often apply. A brief music resume might be needed. A music supplement application is common.
• Theater: Video recordings of monologues (often contrasting), sometimes songs if applying for musical theater. A performance resume listing roles/experience. A theater audition college might require specific monologue types.
• Dance: Video recordings showcasing technique and performance in relevant styles.
• Film/Video: Short films or clips of your work.
• Creative Writing: Manuscript of poems, short stories, or excerpts from longer works.
• Arts Resume: A summary of your artistic training, experiences, awards, roles, performances, exhibitions.
• Letter of Recommendation: Sometimes a letter from an arts teacher or private instructor is requested or allowed.

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Understanding Portfolio/Audition Requirements

Colleges that accept supplements have very specific requirements. Look for:

• Number of Pieces/Length of Recordings: Stick to the limits precisely.
• Types of Work: Specific media, styles, or repertoire required? Contrasting pieces needed?
• File Formats and Sizes: Technical specifications for images, videos, or audio files.
• Labeling: How should files or pieces be labeled?
• Originality: Work should be your own (or your specific role clearly defined).

Read the instructions multiple times!

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Using Cirkled In and Other Platforms

Many colleges use online platforms like Cirkled In to collect arts supplements.

• How it Works: You create an account on Cirkled In (or the specified platform), upload your media files (images, videos, PDFs), add descriptions, and your narrative. Then you can add a link to this portfolio in your college application. 
• Get Familiar Early: Create an account well before the deadline to understand the interface and technical requirements.
• Follow Instructions: Each college’s SlideRoom portal will have its specific instructions and questions.
• Optimize Files: Ensure your images are clear, videos have good lighting/sound, and files meet size/format limits before uploading. 

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Tips for a Strong Arts Supplement

• Quality Over Quantity: Select only your best, most polished work that meets the requirements.
• Showcase Technical Skill AND Creativity: Demonstrate both your mastery of technique and your unique artistic voice.
• Good Recording/Image Quality: Poor quality recordings or photos detract from your talent. Use the best equipment you can access. Film/photograph in good lighting with clean backgrounds.
• Get Feedback: Ask trusted arts teachers or mentors to review your portfolio or audition pieces before submitting.
• Proofread Everything: Captions, descriptions, and your arts resume should be error-free.

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Deadlines and Timing

Arts supplement deadlines may be the same as the application deadline, or sometimes earlier or slightly later. Check each college’s specific timeline. Allow ample time for preparing materials, recording, editing, and uploading, especially if using a platform like SlideRoom.

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Final Thought: Let Your Artistic Talent Shine

If you have significant artistic talent and the colleges on your list accept supplements, preparing a strong art portfolio, music supplement application, or audition recording can significantly enhance your application. Research requirements carefully, curate your best work, pay attention to technical details, and meet the deadlines. Let your creativity shine!

✨ Already building your college-ready portfolio? Show off your creative wins and academic highlights all in one place on Cirkled in  — it’s like a brag sheet that works for you.Need more tips on college applications, scholarships, or just how to survive this whole process? Cirkled In has your back—check out Cirkled In resources to help you through every step of your college journey!