Portfolio review: how to make the most of 20 minutes
#3 min Markéta Kinterová
2. 4. 2026
What is a portfolio review, really? It’s a meeting that often lasts no more than twenty minutes. For some, it’s an unusual format — something between a professional consultation and a kind of informal speed dating. On one side are artists, on the other are professionals from the field: curators, editors, gallerists, offering their attention, experience, and above all, feedback. So how can you make the most of those twenty minutes?
Here are a few practical tips to save you time and nerves.
Know who you’re meeting
Finding out who you’ll be meeting is not a strategy, it’s basic respect. A brief mention at the beginning that you know what the reviewer does and why their perspective interests you can completely shift the dynamic of the conversation. At the same time, it shouldn’t feel forced or overly eager. Depending on the situation, it’s perfectly fine to skip this altogether.
Know where you are
Then comes a key moment: being able to name where you currently stand. For example, what stage is your project or practice in? (“I’ve just finished school and I’m figuring out what’s next,” “I have an established visual language but I’m considering a shift,” “I’m finishing a project and looking for ways to present it.”) And what do you actually want from the meeting? Feedback? Contacts? Reassurance?
Let them choose
If you have multiple projects, it can be helpful to ask: “Would you prefer to see a broader overview of my practice, or focus on one project that I consider my main work at the moment?”
Don’t defend yourself
When presenting your work, try to avoid a common mistake: over-explaining or defending it. A portfolio review is not a pitch or a grant application. You don’t need to prove your success or list your achievements. It’s often more valuable to speak honestly about why the work exists, what drives it, and where you might still have doubts.
Make space for both sides
This is perhaps the most important part. It’s important to present your work, but equally important to stop at the right moment and create space. Let the other person respond. Silence is not failure, it’s space for thinking. And if no questions come, ask your own. A review should not be a one-sided monologue.
Ultimately, it all comes down to sensitivity to the situation. It’s a meeting between two people, not a formal evaluation. If you feel like you’re pushing too hard, step back and trust your instinct. And finally: those twenty minutes don’t have to end when you leave the table. Before you finish, ask if you can stay in touch or exchange contacts, and find out what form of communication they prefer.
One last tip: A few days after the meeting, you can follow up with a short email — a thank you and a small update.
Text | Markéta Kinterová
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