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A Parent’s Instruction Guide to Visual Art Aptitude Identification:

Advanced Visual Art Aptitude is exceptional capability or potential in the visual arts, such as, but not limited to: drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, design, etc.
Identification in Visual Art Aptitude is assessed through a body of evidence.
STEP 1: Begin by reviewing the Parent’s Guide (this web-page) below for more specific information on this identification process.
STEP 2: After reviewing this guide, make a referral.
STEP 3: Download any forms/information from the guide below for your future information and reference.
STEP 4: Upload/Email portfolio/product submissions by following the "How to Submit Your Portfolio/Evidence" guide at the bottom of this page.
Types of CDE approved, qualifying information for a Body of Evidence (BOE) in Visual Art Aptitude in Jeffco:

Performance/Portfolio/

Product Evaluation:

Norm-Referenced Observation: 

Criterion/Norm-Referenced Test:

Top place or ranking at a state or national contest related to the Visual Arts


Expert juried performance at the advanced/distinguished level (i.e. art shows)


Portfolio/product review at the advanced/distinguished level

95th percentile or above on norm-referenced observation scale in the area of Visual Art (SIGS, GRS, GES, etc.)



95th percentile or above on an approved norm-referenced or criterion-referenced test for Creativity (Torrance Test of Creative Thinking, PCA, etc.)


95th percentile or above on an approved cognitive assessment (KBIT, CogAT, WISC, WPPSI, etc.)




Visual Art Considerations:

  • The considerations for a Gifted Visual Artist will include multiple artifacts demonstrating a fluency of imagination, expression, and technique.  
  • Students are not generally considered for gifted identification through a craft project produced by all students, pre-drawn pages from published material, or photocopied or traced work. 


What kind of evidence are we looking for?

  • Works created in or outside class  
  • Photos of 3‐D pieces  
  • Artistic photographs  
  • Original scenery designs for theater, fashion/costume designs or completed pieces, or architectural drawings of student designed structure  
  • Digital drawings, paintings or animations, video productions or interactive media works
  • Other visible, tangible products that demonstrate exceptional talent


What goes inside a portfolio?

Due to the nature of visual art, the number of different media demonstrated is unspecified.  Rather, we are looking for evidence of artistic ability as referenced above.  A visual arts portfolio must be electronic and must include at least 5 artifacts.  Beyond that, some examples of visual art media are:

  • Paint, photography, 3-D art, ceramics, drawings, and/or digital art
  • Submissions can be annotated to help the review team understand the student’s thinking and process
  • Artifacts include: completed pieces, sketchbooks (1 sketchbook = 1 artifact)
  • Products should be: Unique and original
  • Evidence of state or national ranking in competition/events related to visual art
  • Other evidence that may show visual art and/or creative art processes. 
  • Reach out to your GT Resource Teacher if you have questions about what could be included.



Steps for the ID process:

  1. Review the considerations on this document and reach out to others who may have a specific understanding of your child's Visual Art Aptitude.
  2. Fill out the online referral form for Visual Arts Aptitude.
  3. Begin to build/document a visual art portfolio
  4. Submit the portfolio to the GT Department (directions are below in the “How to Submit Your Portfolio” section).
  5. GT Resource teachers and/or expert jurors will evaluate the portfolio and continue to build the body of evidence if necessary. 
  6. If additional information is needed, a GT Resource teacher may perform cognitive/creative testing and/or visual arts behavior scales with your student (such as the GRS or other research based observation scales).
  7. The GT Review team will review the BOE and inform parents of status/decision within 30 school days of the BOE review.
  8. Reach out to your school’s GT Resource teacher if you have any needs/questions throughout the process.


How to submit your portfolio:

  1. We require digital portfolio submissions.  The GT Department is unable to house and manage physical portfolios or items.
  2. We recommend utilizing your student's Jeffco google account for online portfolio submission.  You and/or your student can create a folder in their google drive called "Visual Art Portfolio".  Inside the folder you can house any variety of artifacts (artwork, work samples, pictures of products, videos, sound files, etc.).  Then, copy the link to the folder and email it to [email protected] 
  3. If you are unsure of how to do the above process, you can electronically send files via email to [email protected]It is acceptable to send multiple emails if the files are too large for a single email.
  4. If you are unable to submit a portfolio via the above methods, please reach out to your school's GT Resource Teacher for questions/assistance.
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