Dean Lauren Lake delivers keynote address at National Portfolio Day Conference
Lauren Lake, Dean of the School of Art & Design at Alfred University, delivered the keynote address at the 2025 National Portfolio Day Conference, held on Jan. 27 at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL.
The conference, hosted by the National Portfolio Day Association (NPDA), brought together art and design educators, advisors, and students from across the globe to discuss portfolio preparation and the future of arts education.
Founded in 1978, NPDA is the leading organization dedicated to supporting students and professionals in portfolio development for college and university admissions. With over 100 member institutions that hold both regional accreditation and accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) or its equivalent, NPDA represents the highest standard in visual arts education worldwide.
In her keynote, titled "Evolving Evaluative Frameworks," Dean Lake addressed the challenges facing arts education and examined the concept of "merit." She proposed ways to refine evaluative frameworks to better serve students and ensure that arts education continues to foster creative talent and innovation. Her remarks emphasized the importance of maintaining excellence in education while adapting to the changing needs of the field.