An artist resume is a specialized document tailored to showcase your creative achievements, professional experience, and skills as they relate to artistic endeavors. Unlike standard resumes, artist resumes often include unique sections such as exhibitions, collections, and publications.
Whether you are applying for gallery representation, a grant, or a museum exhibition, or just want to grow your art business, a well-crafted artist resume is essential to presenting your work and experience in the best light.
Key Points
- Artist resumes differ from standard resumes, focusing on creative achievements like exhibitions and collections.
- Include key sections such as Exhibitions, Collections, Bibliography, and Skills.
- Use concise, clear language and tailor your resume to the specific opportunity.
- Always include a link to your portfolio or website.
- Format and organize your resume strategically to highlight your strengths.
3 Examples of Artist Resumes
Example 1: Gallery Artist Resume
Objective: To secure representation with a contemporary art gallery to showcase innovative mixed-media works.
Contact Information:
Jane Doe
janedoe@email.com | (123) 456-7890
www.janedoeart.com
Exhibitions:
- Solo Exhibition: Art in Motion, Blue Sky Gallery, New York, NY, 2023
- Group Exhibition: Emerging Artists, Urban Arts Center, Los Angeles, CA, 2022
Collections:
- Public: City Art Museum, Seattle, WA
- Corporate: ABC Corporation, Chicago, IL
Bibliography:
- “Jane Doe: Reimagining Mixed Media,” Art Quarterly, June 2023
Skills:
- Mixed-media techniques, Adobe Photoshop, Digital sculpting
Example 2: Academic Artist CV
Objective: To obtain a tenure-track position teaching contemporary art and multimedia practices.
Contact Information:
John Smith
johnsmith@email.com | (987) 654-3210
www.johnsmithart.edu
Education:
- MFA in Fine Arts, University of California, 2020
- BFA in Painting, University of Oregon, 2017
Exhibitions:
- Solo Exhibition: Fragments, State University Gallery, Sacramento, CA, 2022
- Invitational Exhibition: Art on the Edge, National Gallery, Washington, DC, 2021
Teaching Experience:
- Adjunct Professor, Multimedia Design, University of Nevada, 2022-Present
Grants and Fellowships:
- National Arts Grant Recipient, 2023
- Regional Fellowship for Emerging Artists, 2022
Example 3: Commercial Artist Resume
Objective: To contribute to creative teams with expertise in digital illustration and concept art for advertising campaigns.
Contact Information:
Emily Brown
emilybrown@email.com | (555) 789-1234
www.emilybrowndesign.com
Experience:
- Lead Illustrator, Creative Agency Co., 2021-Present
- Freelance Digital Artist, 2018-2021
Projects:
- Concept art for XYZ Ad Campaign, 2022
- Digital illustrations for Brand Spotlight Magazine, 2021
Skills:
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Storyboarding, 3D modeling
These examples showcase how resumes can be customized to highlight different goals, skills, and professional contexts.
How to Structure an Artist Resume
Creating an artist resume involves understanding its unique components and tailoring them to the intended purpose.
Below, I’ll break down the essential sections of an artist resume and provide tips to make yours stand out.
Contact Information
Your contact information should be clear and easy to find. Include:
- Full name
- Professional email address
- Phone number
- City and state (optional)
- Website or online portfolio link
For instance, if you’re applying for a gallery exhibition, linking to an online portfolio of your artwork is critical. Consider linking your portfolio alongside an artist bio for added context, such as these examples of artist bios.
Exhibitions
This section highlights your experience showcasing your work. Divide it into categories if necessary:
- Solo Exhibitions: Focus on shows where your work was the main feature.
- Group Exhibitions: Include notable group shows you participated in.
- Invitational Exhibitions: Highlight instances where you were specifically invited to participate.
Example:
Solo Exhibitions
Beyond the Canvas, Bluebird Gallery, New York, NY, 2023
Group Exhibitions
Emerging Voices, Modern Arts Center, Los Angeles, CA, 2022
For inspiration, review examples of artist statements to complement this section.
Education
List your education in reverse chronological order. Include:
- Degree(s) earned
- Institution name
- Year of graduation
If you’ve attended specialized workshops or artist residencies, these can also be included in this section or a separate “Professional Development” section.
Collections
This section emphasizes where your work is held. Organize by:
- Corporate Collections: Include businesses that own your work.
- Private Collections: Ensure you have permission before naming individuals.
- Public Collections: Highlight pieces displayed in museums or public spaces.
Example:
- Corporate: XYZ Corporation, Chicago, IL
- Public: Museum of Contemporary Art, San Francisco, CA
This can pair well with your artist proposals when pitching your work.
Bibliography
Include articles, interviews, or reviews about your work. Organize chronologically or by publication type.
Example:
- Jane Doe, “The Vibrancy of Modern Art,” Art Today Magazine, June 2023
- John Smith, “Interview with Emerging Artists,” Creative Journal, March 2022
Skills
Highlight both technical and creative skills that support your artistry. For instance:
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite
- Traditional painting techniques
- Digital illustration tools
- Public speaking and workshop facilitation
If your skill set aligns with designing materials, you might enjoy these examples of artist business cards.
Tips for Formatting and Presentation
An artist resume should be visually clean and easy to read. Consider these guidelines:
- Font: Use professional fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, or Times New Roman.
- Spacing: Use consistent spacing to keep the document organized.
- Length: Artist resumes can extend beyond one page, depending on your experience.
- Consistency: Ensure all headings and formatting match.
Including links to your artist websites ensures your online presence is accessible.
How do you write an artist resume?
Writing an artist resume involves crafting a document that highlights your artistic achievements and aligns them with the opportunity you’re pursuing. Start by including key sections such as Exhibitions, Education, and Collections, which emphasize your professional and creative journey. Tailor the content to the specific application, ensuring relevance and clarity. Use clear formatting, concise language, and include links to your online portfolio or website to give readers immediate access to your work.
What does a good artist's CV look like?
A strong artist’s CV is a comprehensive record of your professional history, detailing your teaching experience, grants, publications, and selected exhibitions. Unlike a resume, it’s more detailed and typically used for academic roles or research opportunities. Organize the CV into categories like “Selected Solo Exhibitions” or “Selected Bibliography” to highlight key accomplishments. Keep the design clean and ensure it’s easy to update as your career progresses.
What is an example of an artist's objective on a resume?
An example would be, “To secure representation with a gallery that values innovative and thought-provoking contemporary art, while contributing to the cultural and artistic landscape.”
What is the difference between a CV and an artist resume?
An artist resume is a concise document, typically one to two pages, used for non-academic opportunities such as gallery applications or grant proposals. It focuses on your most relevant achievements. A CV, on the other hand, is an extensive document that serves as a complete record of your professional activities and accomplishments, often spanning multiple pages. It’s commonly used in academic or institutional settings and includes more detailed sections like teaching experience, research, and lectures.
Why Design Doesn't Matter: ATS Optimization for Artist Resumes
When it comes to artist resumes, flashy designs and intricate layouts may seem like a way to stand out, but they can actually hinder your chances of being noticed by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems, used by many organizations, scan resumes to identify keywords and structured information. If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it may not even reach human eyes.
Here’s how to ensure your resume is readable by ATS:
- Use Clear Headers: Organize your resume with straightforward headers like “Education,” “Exhibitions,” and “Skills.” Avoid creative or ambiguous section titles that ATS software might not recognize.
- Stick to Standard Fonts: Professional fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman are not just visually appealing but also ATS-compatible.
- Avoid Graphics and Tables: While visually appealing, these elements can confuse ATS, preventing the software from properly reading your information.
- Use Plain Text Format: Ensure your resume is easy to parse by using plain text or simple formatting. Avoid excessive use of bold, italics, or underlining.
- Include Keywords: Tailor your resume to the job description by including relevant keywords related to the role, such as “solo exhibitions,” “art grants,” or “digital illustration.”
By focusing on readability and structure, you ensure your resume meets ATS requirements without sacrificing the essential details that highlight your artistic achievements.