Undergraduate Admissions for the Arts at JMU

JMU Visual and Performing Arts Applicant Information
Due to the extraordinary circumstances of COVID-19, the College of Visual and Performing Arts has opted to not hold any on-campus auditions or portfolio reviews for the 2020-2021 academic year. We wish we could meet everyone in person; however, the health and safety of you and the members of the JMU community are our first priority. Instead, there will be virtual audition/portfolio review dates and additional requirements as a part of your supplemental application through Slideroom. Merit scholarship from the College of Visual and Performing Arts requires that you submit a supplemental application and attend a virtual audition/portfolio review day for your area.
In order to be admitted artistically to the College of Visual and Performing Arts, you must submit an academic application to the Office of Admissions. Once you have applied to JMU, visit MyMadison to track the status of your College of Visual and Performing Arts application, and review your artistic admissions decision.
Please review the school admissions websites, linked below, in addition to the information provided here for more details regarding the audition/portfolio review process for each arts major. Audition/portfolio review registration links are published in late August for the upcoming academic calendar, although due to the current health crisis, information is subject to change.
For more information regarding special events and virtual visit options, check out our events page.
School of Art, Design and Art History
For more information regarding the School of Art, Design and Art History, including portfolio item guidelines, visit the SADAH Undergraduate Admissions page, contact artdesignarthistory@jmu.edu, or call (540) 568-6661.
Portfolio Review Information
- Submit your Undergraduate Admissions Application via the JMU Admissions Office.
- Register for a virtual Portfolio Review and scholarship interview day (highly recommended). Virtual portfolio reviews will take place in the afternoons over three separate one-week periods
- Submit your Slideroom Portfolio.
- Students interested in majoring in Graphic Design, Architectural Design, Industrial Design, or Art Studio (BFA) are required to submit a portfolio in Slideroom as part of the admissions process. Students intending to major in Art History or Art Studio (BA/BS) are not required to submit a portfolio in Slideroom.
- Your portfolio should contain 10-12 examples of your best artwork.
- Your portfolio should contain a variety of works that demonstrate creative ability and visual arts potential.
- All supplemental materials should be uploaded to Slideroom. We recommend waiting to submit your digital portfolio until after you have attended a virtual portfolio review. Should you need a fee waiver for Slideroom, please contact admissionscvpa@jmu.edu.
Scholarship Information
For a full list of scholarships offered by the School of Art, Design and Art History for prospective students, please refer to the SADAH Undergraduate Scholarship website.
- SADAH scholarships include:
- Students interested in applying for a scholarship from SADAH are required to participate in a virtual Portfolio Review Day and scholarship interview. Students intending to major in Art History should register for a virtual scholarship interview appointment (same links).
- In order to qualify for priority merit scholarship, students should attend either the November or January virtual Portfolio Review days.
- For scholarship consideration, you should submit the following on Slideroom:
- One letter of recommendation
- An arts resume
- 500-word essay describing the merits of one of your pieces
School of Music
For more information regarding the School of Music, including instrument-specific audition piece guidelines, visit the Music Undergraduate Admissions page, contact music_admit@jmu.edu, or call (540) 568-3851.
Audition Information
- Submit your Undergraduate Admissions Application via the JMU Admissions Office.
- Register for a virtual Audition Day.
- Submit your School of Music application through Slideroom. Your Music application is due at least 7 days prior to attending your on-campus Music audition. In addition to completing the application questions, you'll need to upload:
- One or two music letters of recommendation
- Unofficial high school transcript
- Music resume
- Videos of audition pieces and other requested materials (see Music website for more details)
- All supplemental materials should be uploaded to Slideroom. Should you need a fee waiver for Slideroom, please contact AdmissionsCVPA@jmu.edu.
Scholarship Information
The School of Music is pleased to be able to announce a number of large awards, including several that cover full tuition for the first year and approximately half tuition for years two, three, and four. Scholarships – including the “Excellence in the Arts” awards – are assigned based on an evaluation of your audition materials. Additional awards include merit scholarships from the School of Music and guaranteed admission to the Wayland Living-Learning Arts Community.
In order to qualify for a merit scholarship from the School of Music, you must attend a virtual audition day in addition to submitting your application through Slideroom. Awards are made based on your audition materials and coordinated with the Office of Admissions; no additional application is needed. Most awards are renewable for multiple years. You should attend one of the November or January virtual audition days to be considered for priority merit scholarship.
School of Theatre and Dance - Dance
For more information regarding the School of Theatre and Dance, including specific audition guidelines, visit the Dance Undergraduate Admissions page, contact theatredance@jmu.edu, or call (540) 568-6342.
Audition Information
- Submit your Undergraduate Admissions Application via the JMU Admissions Office.
- Register for a virtual audition day.
- Submit your Dance Application through Slideroom. Your Dance application is due at least 10 days prior to attending your virtual audition.
In addition to completing the application questions, you'll need to upload:- Two dance letters of recommendations
- A 1000-word personal statement about dance
- A resume and a current photograph (black and white or color)
- Unofficial high school transcript
- Videos of dance audition combinations (emailed 3 weeks prior to your virtual audition day)
- All supplemental materials should be uploaded to Slideroom. Should you need a fee waiver for Slideroom, please contact AdmissionsCVPA@jmu.edu.
Scholarship Information
The School of Theatre and Dance will be offering a number of scholarship opportunities for incoming students, including the "Excellence in the Arts" award. Additional awards include merit scholarships from the School of Theatre and Dance and guaranteed admission to the Wayland Living-Learning Arts Community. Criteria for determining scholarship recipients include:
- Talent and ability
- Academic promise
- Interview
- Application essay
- Letter of recommendation
In order to qualify for a merit scholarship from the School of Theatre and Dance, you must attend a virtual audition day in addition to submitting your application through Slideroom. Most awards are renewable for multiple years. You should attend one of the November or December virtual audition days to be considered for priority merit scholarship.

School of Theatre and Dance - Theatre and Musical Theatre
For more information regarding the School of Theatre and Dance, including specific audition guidelines, visit the Theatre or Musical Theatre Admissions page, contact theatredance@jmu.edu, or call (540) 568-6342.
Audition Information
- Submit your Undergraduate Admissions Application via the JMU Admissions Office.
- Register for a virtual audition day. The virtual audition day will consist of tours of our facilities, meetings with current students and faculty, information sessions, and workshops. Please note, if you are planning on auditioning for both Musical Theatre and Theatre, you will need to sign up for both separately.
- Theatre: Theatre applicants will be invited to a callback on the virtual audition day to present materials
- Musical Theatre: Select Musical Theatre applicants will be invited for a callback audition the week following the virtual audition day.
- Submit your Theatre/Musical Theatre application through Slideroom. There are additional requirements, including submitting videos of your audition materials. Details can be found on the Theatre application or the Musical Theatre application page.
- All supplemental materials should be uploaded to Slideroom. Should you need a fee waiver for Slideroom, please contact AdmissionsCVPA@jmu.edu.
Scholarship Information
The School of Theatre and Dance will be offering a number of scholarship opportunities for incoming students, including the "Excellence in the Arts" award. Additional awards include merit scholarships from the School of Theatre and Dance and guaranteed admission to the Wayland Living-Learning Arts Community. Criteria for determining scholarship recipients include:
- Talent and ability
- Academic promise
- Interview
- Application essay
- Letter of recommendation
In order to qualify for a merit scholarship from the School of Theatre and Dance, you must attend a virtual audition day in addition to submitting your application through Slideroom. Most awards are renewable for multiple years. You should attend one of the November or January virtual audition days to be considered for priority merit scholarship.