how to write an artist statement resume

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What should an artist put on their resume?

“Every artist was once an amateur." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Like how making drawings, paintings and collages is an art, so is making a resume. As a painting needs to be perfect in order to sell, so does a resume to get you interviews.

The functions of an artist comprise duties like generating and developing ideas, making sketches and models, developing or creating a piece of work according to a commission or brief, and many more.

An artist needs to cultivate relations with suppliers and source materials to create quality pieces. They must conduct research and interviews, visit locations, and make use of libraries and the internet. They also manage administrators and correspondents while creating publicity.

Artists will see perpetual growth in their profession in the coming years due to their increasing demand by private art collectors, museums, electronic magazines, etc. According to CollegeGrad , the demand for painters, sculptors, and illustrators is expected to rise by 8% in the next 10 years.

Here is what you will know by the end of this definitive guide:

• What is an artist resume?
• How to write an artistic resume
• How to write an artist resume with no experience?
• How to write an art resume skills section?
• What is the difference between artistic resume and CV

What Is An Artist Resume And Why Do You Need It?

An artist resume illustrates the skillfulness of an artist in their field by showcasing their work experience and tangible talent.

An artist resume will give the recruiter a deeper insight into your proficiency level as an artist. Artist resumes give the recruiter a brief about your educational and professional background.

The starting salary of freshers in this field is approximately $1,100. If you want to get to the hire-paid salary slot, you need to update your artist resume every time you switch a job, so that you showcase your entire career history.

Also read : How can you tailor your resume to a specific job?

How To Write An Artist Resume?

An artist resume will have distinct resume sections that follow a certain format. You would have to begin by writing your professional experience, educational qualifications, installations, and so on.

You can either submit your resume directly to the firm you are applying to or choose to float your artist resume in a network. Make sure you make appropriate choices regarding which resume style to choose for each occasion.

Also read : How to choose an appropriate resume format?

Artist Resume Sections

You have to segregate your information into legible sections to enhance readability and include details that recruiters usually demand. Here are a few sections you can include:

• Personal Information
• Professional Experience
• Certifications and Training
• Awards and Recognition

However, you can customize your art resume to your liking if you have extra information that you think would make a significant impact.

Also read : What extra sections can you add to your resume?

Include an Artist Resume Header

It is the very first section of the artist resume and comprises your name.

So, you must be thinking, what is the point of making a header?

Well, it differentiates your art resume from other artist resumes. It is the biggest text in your art resume. It is written between the font size of 14-16 points. Also, it is very important to have correct spacing between your first and last name.

In addition to this, there is a proper way to write a middle name if you have one. The proper format is Bella K. Hadid. You will only write the first initial of your middle name and then a full stop after it.

If you have decided to make your artist resume on your own, then look at the below-given example to know how you should do it.

Also read : How to draft an appropriate header for your resume?

Include Your Personal Information Artist Resume

The second section consists of your personal information like your phone number, professional e-mail ID, and your current location in the city, state or city, country format.

Personal Phone Number

The first thing to be written is the International Subscriber Dialing (ISD) code where you live followed by a plus sign (+). After writing the ISD code, give a single space and add your phone number.

Personal E-mail ID

The second thing to go into the personal information section is your personal e-mail ID. In the case you have multiple e-mail IDs, then choose the one you use the most often.

In addition to this, you can add links to any of your social media sites like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook if they support or demonstrate your work in any capacity.

Further, you can give hyperlinks to your personal website or portfolios that support your work or if you have any.

Current Location of Residence

The third thing that goes into your personal information section is your current location of residence. It will be written on the right corner of this section, which is right next to the e-mail ID.

Do not write the whole of your address as it consumes unnecessary space and is of no use to the recruiter. Write only the city name and the country code to give the recruiter the idea if you'll be relocating if you joined that company or not.

Take a brief look at the artist resume sample given below to get a better understanding of how to make the personal information section.

Also read : How should you add contact information to your resume?

Add a Profile Title to Your Artist Resume

The third section tells the recruiter which profile you have applied, be it Multimedia Artist, Animator, Graphic Designer, etc. It should be written in the font size of 12-14 points.

Take a glance at the example below to have more clarity on how to write the profile title.

Draft an Impeccable Professional Experience Section in Your Artist Resume

The professional experience section is of prime importance in an artist resume. You can include all the work experience you've had in this section.

For people who have extensive work experience, this is of utmost importance.

Make use of the below-given format to write your professional experience section:

Name of the company | Location of the company in city, country format | Dates in mm/yy-mm/yy

Also, group your work functions within your professional experience section and write your points pertaining to the professional experience section in STAR format. STAR format stands for:

• Situation: what was the environment that you had to work in?
• Task: what were the tasks that you were assigned?
• Action: what actions did you take to solve it?
• Result: how did it affect the team?

Let's see it with an example:

Professional Experience Section without grouping and STAR points:

Working with game designers, developers, artists, and testers Creating low ploy assets Deploying Optimization Techniques in unity scene Exporting and assembling images from art files Applying textures via UVW mapping Creating and importing machines

Here is a sample professional experience section with grouping and STAR points:

Designing & Coordination

Working closely with game designers, developers, artists, and testers to reach a common goal Exporting and assembling images from art files within prescribed technical parameters and protocols Creating and importing animations and state machines

Import & Optimization

Applying textures via UVW mapping with PBR workflow and rendering realistic environments and artistic product designs Deploying Optimization Techniques in unity scene such as light optimization, culling, & performance profiling Creating and importing animation and state machines

You can see from the artist resume examples above how grouping and the STAR format have improved the readability of this art resume.

Take a glimpse of the below-given artist resume sample to get greater clarity on how to encompass the information related to your work experience in this section.

Also read : Beginner's guide to drafting a professional experience section

Include Your Educational Details in Your Artist Resume

The education section is the second most important section after the professional experience section. The information in this section includes course name, university/school name, location, dates of enrolling and graduating, along with your CGPA.

The recruiter decides based on this section whether you are qualified for the position or not. So, the information that goes into this section must be true to the best of your knowledge.

The below-given artist resume samples will give you a better idea of how to make this section.

Also read : Should you include multiple educational details in your resume?

Add any Certifications, Training, or Projects

This section consists of any and every certification or training that adds value to your artistic resume. The following things are written in this section:

• Name of Certification/Training
• Name of Affiliating Institute
• The completion date

You can use the below-given format to write this section:

Certification/Training Name | Affiliating Institution Name | Dates in mm/yy

See the example below to get more clarity on how to write this section.

In this section, you will write all the value-adding awards and recognition that you got in school, university, or in your previous work engagements. Also, make sure that the awards are relevant to your target profile.

Artist Resume: Projects

Another section you can include is the kind of projects, academic, personal, or freelance work. It can be extremely helpful in deciding your worth.

You can do so by answering these vital questions:

• What were your key roles and responsibilities specific to that project?
• What were some key project deliverables that you were responsible for?

Mention a list of significant achievements for every project, with performance figures if possible.

In case of no non-disclosure agreements, you should mention the client in the project header and the professional experience section. Consequently, you do not need to repeat the same while drafting your resume points.

Also read : How many projects should you add to your resume?

Add Key Skills to Enhance Your Artist Resume

The skills section is fifth in the order of artic resume sections, but it will be the second last section that you will write. You must scan the rest of your artist resume to look for skills and then pick those skills to include in the key skills section.

This process will give you more skills to write in the art resume key skills section. For example:

• Design Creation
• Articulating Designs

The skills section should be only three sentences long and not more. Also, when you are done making this section, bold the whole section. By doing so, you will be able to direct the recruiter's attention towards it.

Here is how you can draft you can draft the key skills section of your artist resume:

Create a Technical Skills Section

Artistic resume skills like Unity 3D, Blender, and Auto Desk Maya, will be included in a separate section. You can create a Technical Skills section that will comprise all the technical skills/tools you are familiar with.

Doing this will separate it from the key skills section and increase its readability.

To get a clearer idea of how to make this section, look at the artist resume sample given below.

On average, the recruiters scan a resume only for 6 seconds. So, you have to hook the recruiter to your artistic resume in that short span.

Create an Artist Resume Summary

The summary section is the fourth section of your artist resume, but it is more impactful to write it at the end of your resume-making process. You will be able to scan the whole of your artistic resume and pick out the highlights of your career.

Here are a few tips you can follow while crafting this section:

• Start your sentences with power verbs to create an impactful introduction
• Maintain a cause-effect relationship to establish a background context for your work functions
• Quantify your achievements to show the impact of your work
• Try not to write a lengthy paragraph and keep it anywhere between three to five lines

Look at the artist resume sample given below to see how you can optimize your summary section:

Also read : How can you draft your summary within four lines?

How to Create an Artist Resume With No Experience

Now the question is how to write an art resume with no experience?

A fresher artistic resume is more or less the same as an experienced professional, except for two sections. These sections are the professional experience section and the summary section.

Let us see how.

Artist Resume Internship Section

A fresher will have an Internship section instead of a Professional Experience section.

How are they different?

Internships are when you work for a company for a short period, especially as a college student. However, in a job, you are committed full-time and are contractually obligated.

Creating an internship section and listing the functions you undertook lets the recruiter know that you are not inexperienced in your field. They get to know the broad level of work that you performed.

Here is what a typical internship section would look like:

Assessment & Development

Assisted in designing & development of layouts & graphics for an advertisement project Played a key role in the assessment of graphic materials to ensure quality of designs

Artist Resume Objective Section

The last section that you will write in your fresher artist resume is the objective section.

Freshers and entry-level professionals write an objective section instead of a summary section. For the resume objective, you will not write what you expect from the company, but you will write what you can do for the company.

Make sure you write your summary in paragraph form and not as bullet points!

Also read : How to create a recruiter-friendly resume for your first job?

Artist Resume vs CV

Are you confused about whether you should pick an artist resume or a CV? Here is a little pros list to help you decide:

Artist Resume

• Artist resumes are either one-page minimum or two pages maximum.
• They are brief documents of your educational and professional background.
• You can tailor them according to each job description that you apply to.
• CVs are longer and are usually more than two pages.
• They are detailed documents of your educational and professional background.
• You cannot tailor them according to each job description, but you can customize the cover letter that goes with it.

Artist Resume Sample

Creating an artist resume can be challenging if you are new at it, but here is a sample to show what your resume should look like:

• Liaising with Game Designers , Developers, Artists and Testers to reach a common goal
• Exporting and assembling images from art files within prescribed technical parameters and protocols
• Designing storyboards & low ploy assets for VR, AR and MR platforms
• Applying textures via UVW mapping with PBR workflow and rendering realistic environments & artistic product designs
• Deploying optimization techniques in unity scene such as Light Optimization , Culling, Performance Profiling
• Creating and importing animations and state machines while conducting weekly meetings with the Supervisor
• Ensuring production pipeline and production art is created efficiently while effectively integrating the same into products
• Created computer generated images and animations which provide virtual illustration of complex fictional & real content
• Developed image concepts and animation settings & conducted weekly meetings to get them approved
• Supervised conception, design and realization of digitally produced images by deploying skills of modelling, texturing , etc.
• Top 15 percentile of the class
• Certified Cinema 4D Professional | Adobe | Jan '16
• Trained in Arnold renderer tool | Sun-dried Brick | Jun '15
• Certified in Video Animation Professional | 75 Next | Jun '14

Key Takeaways

An artist resume will aid your job search, help you understand how you are doing professionally, and judge whether you are in line with your career plans.

Here is what you can gather from this article on creating an impeccable artist resume:

• Always include a job title optimized according to the profiles you are targeting. For example, Fine Artist/3D Artist.
• Do not include bullets in your summary. To best optimize it, start by summarizing your qualifications and key skills and tailoring your sentences according to your target profile.
• Mention only the most important and relevant points in 3 to 4 lines to showcase what value you can provide to the organization.
• Highlight major certifications and training as they are highly relevant to your target profile. You do not have to explain them.
• If you have done any freelance projects as an artist, include them in your artistic resume. Make a separate section for this, which will be named Projects. For each project, mention the techniques and methods you utilized for completing the project.

Go to the Hiration resume builder and create a professional resume for yourself. Additionally, reach out to us at [email protected] or utilize our chat support, where you can get 24/7 professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

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Write the Perfect Artist Statement

Writing an artist statement can seem daunting. In a visual profession, having to explain your work in writing can feel gratuitous. But a compelling artist statement is essential to your career as an artist. What’s more, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on your practice, appreciate the value of your art and tackle anything that isn’t working.

With Artweb’s comprehensive guide, drafting an artist statement has never been easier.

What is an artist statement?

An artist statement sets out your unique philosophy as an artist in no more than 300 words (and sometimes as few as 150). It offers insight into your work, in your own words. It also provides context for your art and enhances the viewer’s experience.

A concise artists statement may reside on a gallery wall at the start of your exhibition, on the opening page of a catalogue or on your website.

Why do you need an artist statement?

When done well, an artist statement can turn something simple into something serious and valuable, worthy of exhibition and purchase.  Your statement really is that important.

An artist statement fulfills the demands of many audiences. It is how you communicate your ideas and philosophy to viewers. Those viewers include potential galleries, the general public looking at an exhibition of your work, and academics considering you for a grant or residency. It may also form the basis of your online presence.

The chances are you will need to edit your statement for different audiences, but begin with one master statement that can be revised for varying purposes. If you went to art school, you probably practiced writing one over and over, honing it until it was good enough to impress lecturers and examiners.  But the habit can quickly erode.  If you are self-taught , it may be something you have never tried or don’t fully understand. 

Note that an artist statement is not an artist’s CV.  Your resume or CV will list your education and achievements in the same way all professional resumes do.

What to include in an artist statement

The recipe for the perfect artist statement is made up of three basic ingredients: the what, the how and the why.

Get to the point. Detail the medium of your work, key themes and ideas, and a brief description of what your art feels like. But remember, you are not providing a physical description of your work. That is evident in the work itself.

“I’ll paint what I see – what the flower is to me – but I’ll paint it huge so they’ll be startled and take the time to look at it.” Georgia O’Keefe

Tackle your process. Here, you’ll describe the materials you use and how you approach your research. You can also address any other unique elements such as collaboration with others or working in the public realm. You could use this section to describe an example of your work that demonstrates what you have discussed so far, something that encompasses your key themes and materials.

“I don’t manipulate or play with space. I declare it. It is by my declaration that my paintings become full.” Barnett Newman, star of the New York School of Painters

What motivates and drives you to create the work you do? Is it external or internal. This can be the hardest element of a statement to write, as it is often just a “feeling.” Your statement needs to explore that. Include one or two sentences about what you want to achieve through your work.

Roger Hilton was a pioneer of abstract art in post-Second World War Britain.  He talks of feeling: “Painting is a feeling… When I paint it is an affair of instinct and intuition, I feel the shape and colors inside myself.”

Create your unique voice

“Blue has no dimensions, it is beyond dimensions, whereas the other colors  are not… red presupposes a site radiating heat.” Yves Klein (1928 – 1962)

Start with your artwork. Look at your portfolio and pay attention to the work you’ve produced. Consider the medium, use of color and texture as well as subject and tone.  Identify the similarities among your work and explore why they are relevant.  What are the adjectives you would choose? What would a viewer see? Imagine yourself as a stranger, viewing your works in a gallery.

How does your work make you feel?  If you’ve done your job properly, this will come across in your work. But does your art convey what you intended? Jot your thoughts down in a notebook.

Why does it matter what the artist intended?

“My feminism expresses itself in an intense interest in what women do. “ Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010)

Sometimes, the intention of an artist means nothing to a viewer. Sometimes the title provides enough information. But a good artist statement can nudge your audience in the right direction, so make sure to notice the range of sentiment your work evokes.

If you find writing tricky, consider recording  yourself having a casual conversation about your work with a friend. Transcribe the audio and see if anything stands out.

Alternatively, have someone familiar with your work write an artist statement for you. Getting an outside point of view can be insightful and refreshing, and may help to expand your own perception.

Break your statement down

The overall aim of an artist statement is to give a general introduction to your work, a body of work, or a specific project.

It should be no longer than 300 words. This means no more than a single page.

Paragraph One

It should open with the work’s basic ideas in an overview of two or three sentences or a short paragraph.

Paragraph Two

The second paragraph should go into detail about how these issues or ideas are presented in the work.

Paragraph Three

Explain what inspires you. This isn’t a list of other artists, but what and why you view the world and your art as you do.

BE WARNED: Don’t use biographical elements to fill space.  This includes where you were born, schooled and work or every exhibitions you have ever taken part in. A gallery or viewer doesn’t need to know that you were born in Texas and now work out of a garden studio in New Orleans unless it’s relevant to your work.

Now create the perfect artist statement

Keep it short.

Every sentence should communicate its own idea in simple terms. Don’t overcomplicate it! Avoid the temptation to borrow lines from other artists and don’t be tempted to create a list. It should read like you – and no one talks in lists. The tone and structure of the text should be unique to you. However, there are some basic rules to follow in regards to the content.

An artist statement can be in the first or third person

You can write in either the first or third person. The third-person offers some interesting opportunities for writing style and self-criticism.

Avoid cliches

This means not starting your sentences with “I am passionate about…” or “My art excites me…”  If it didn’t excite or make you passionate, why would anyone else be interested?  Avoid too much use of “exploring” or “experimenting.”  It all sounds incomplete. You are asking for someone to retort: “Come back to me when it’s finished.”

Be economical with language

Think of sentence-building as a game of jenga. The aim is to remove any unnecessary words, while upholding the sentence’s core idea.  Once you’ve completed a first draft, read each sentence aloud and delete words as required.  You will probably find space for an additional sentence.

Match your statement to your art

Your art and your artist statement should complement each other.  An art expert should be able to pick them out and match them up without prompting.  If you are experimenting or exploring something new in your work that departs from the art you are showing, give it a mention.

Don’t waffle

Meandering descriptions of your work mean you aren’t confident or you don’t understand your work. Or, even worse, there is nothing to understand. Yves Kein created canvases of monochromes and his own unique Yves Klein Blue. If he hadn’t been able to say his work was a quest to “liberate colour from the prison that is the line “ , his work might have been mistaken for an oversized color chart. It certainly wouldn’t hang in New York’s Museum of Modern Art.  Keeping it short and unambiguous shows the work has a clear purpose.

Don’t quote other artists

Your artist statement is a written version of you and your artwork. It shouldn’t be a copy of another’s statement anymore than your art is a copy of someone else’s artwork. Don’t waste valuable space telling the reader what Henri Matisse had to say about colour or Picasso’s take on his Blue Period. Quotes usually work because they are definitive and concise, so create your own. It is always worth looking at the artist statement’s of successful artists, but don’t be tempted to copy.

Be Confident

Avoid words like attempts, hope, should, may, intends and could when talking about your work. It either does or it doesn’t do something. There is no it may do, I hope it does or my intention is that it should … If you’re not confident about your work, your viewer won’t be either. Don’t leave room for doubt. It’s better to leave room for disagreement!

Don’t use jargon

Art theory is important, but don’t show off with your knowledge of John Berger’s Ways of Seeing or apply Jacques Derrida’s concepts of deconstructionism to abstract painting.  Your text should clarify your work, not obfuscate.  If anyone asks you: “What do you mean?” you probably need to go back to the writing table.  Leave the formulaic jargon to the critics! If you have space to pontificate on the meaning of art, you probably need to start again.

Proofread, and proofread again. A second pair of eyes to spot typos is always useful, but friends and family might not have the distance to fully assess your statement.

“An attempt is everything. How marvellous!” Alberto Giacometti

Keep refining you artist statement

An artist will develop their practice over time.  Your mediums, interests and style will change massively even within a few months.  Check if you’re statement is still relevant every time you use it. 

Visit this blog to find out How to Create an About Me page that Makes Your Artist Website Shine .

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The Guide to Art Resume: Samples and Examples Included

If you are an artist, your resume is your key to open doors and make connections in the industry. It is a professional document that showcases your skills, experience, and accomplishments as an artist. Crafting a strong art resume is crucial to your success in a highly competitive field where standing out is the only way to get noticed.

In this guide, we will provide you with a step-by-step process to create a powerful art resume that can help you land your dream job or commission. We will cover everything you need to know, from the basics of resume writing to the specifics of art-related job applications.

Our article is divided into three main sections. First, we will discuss the essential elements of an art resume, including the format, layout, and content. Second, we will provide you with sample resumes and templates based on different art specializations, such as graphic design, painting, illustration, and multimedia. Each sample resume will highlight how to tailor the resume to the job you’re applying to. Finally, we will cover the do’s and don’ts of resume writing, including tips on how to avoid common mistakes, what to include or exclude, and the importance of tailoring your resume to the job description.

By the end of this guide, you will have a better understanding of how to create a strong art resume that showcases your skills and maximizes your chances of getting the job you want. So, let’s get started!

Basics of an Art Resume

An art resume is a document that showcases an artist’s professional background, skills, accomplishments, and experience in the arts. It is a record of an artist’s achievements and serves as a marketing tool to promote their brand.

Definition of an Art Resume

An art resume is a formal document that contains an artist’s bio, contact information, education, previous and current work experience, notable exhibitions, publications, and awards. It is a comprehensive summary of an artist’s career, skills, and accomplishments, designed to provide a potential employer or client with an overview of their artistic skills.

Purpose of an Art Resume

The purpose of an art resume is to market an artist’s brand and showcase their skills, accomplishments, and experience. It aims to convince a potential employer or client that the artist is the best fit for a particular job, exhibition, or project. It serves as a calling card for an artist and establishes their professional credibility in the industry.

Elements of an Art Resume

An art resume typically consists of the following elements:

• Bio: A brief statement that introduces an artist and provides basic personal information.
• Education: A summary of an artist’s education, including degrees, training, certificates, and courses.
• Work Experience: A detailed description of an artist’s previous and current work experience, including positions held, projects completed, and duties performed.
• Exhibitions: A list of an artist’s notable exhibitions, including the name of the exhibition, the date, the venue, and any awards or honors received.
• Publications: A list of an artist’s published work, including books, magazines, and online publications.
• Awards: A list of an artist’s honors and awards, including grants, scholarships, and fellowships.

Dos and Don’ts of an Art Resume

Some dos and don’ts of creating an effective art resume include:

• Do make it easy to read and visually appealing.
• Do tailor your resume to the specific job or project you are applying for.
• Do include all relevant information and leave out irrelevant details.
• Don’t include personal information, such as your age or marital status.
• Don’t include unprofessional or inappropriate content.
• Don’t use generic or overly creative job titles.
• Don’t exaggerate your accomplishments or skills.

An effective art resume is an essential tool for artists to market their brand and establish their credibility in the industry. It should be well-crafted, visually appealing, and tailored to the specific job or project. By following the dos and don’ts of resume writing, artists can create a professional and compelling document that will help them stand out in a competitive industry.

Formatting an Art Resume

When it comes to formatting an art resume, there are standard practices that ought to be followed. However, there are unconventional formatting choices that an art resume can have, which need unique considerations. Ultimately, to optimize an art resume’s visual appeal, there are tips that a job seeker should adopt.

Standard formatting practices

The following are the standard formatting practices for an art resume.

• Use clear fonts and keep the font size legible. Art resumes should be easy to read with a clean look.
• Use a thin black line to separate sections. Avoid using too many lines or different colors as they can be visually overwhelming.
• Use bullet points to list achievements, skills and experiences. This makes it easy to read and highlights areas of expertise.
• Include only the relevant information in one page unless explicitly instructed to exceed.

Navigating unconventional formatting choices

Some professional artists create unconventional resume formats to stand out from other applicants. These unconventional formats can be visually appealing, but there are a few things to keep in mind when navigating them.

• Ensure that the unconventional format matches the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re looking for a graphic design job, then a creative, out-of-the-box design makes sense. But if you’re applying for a museum curator position, then a traditional format provides a more professional look.
• Avoid sacrificing the readability and clarity of the resume for an unconventional design. Ensure that it’s still easy to read, visually pleasing and highlights vital experiences and expertise.

Tips for optimizing an art resume’s visual appeal

There are some tips that job seekers need to take into account when creating an art resume for maximum visual appeal.

• Using columns can give an art resume a clean and modern look, making it easier for a hiring manager to navigate.
• The use of color can also enhance the visual appeal of an art resume. Use a color scheme that matches the overall design, and ensure that no color contrast is distracting, keeping the content easily readable.
• Creating an infographic of the accomplishments or a timeline of education and work experience can make the art resume unique and more memorable, provided that it’s toned appropriately, it can help separate your application from the clutter.

An art resume should have a clean design that’s easy to read and optimizes its visual appeal to leave a lasting impression to the recruiters. Whether you decide to stick with traditional formatting or create something unconventional, everything you put into the design should highlight your skills and experiences while providing a remarkable resume that shows you are the best candidate for the job.

Essential Information to Include

When it comes to creating a comprehensive art resume, it’s essential to include certain information. Not only does this information help the artists to showcase their skills and experiences, but it also helps employers and gallery owners to evaluate their suitability for exhibits, studios or jobs. In this section, we’ll look at the key pieces of information you should include in your art resume.

Contact Information

The first and most important thing to include in your art resume is your contact information. This should include your full name, phone number, email address, and mailing address. Be sure to also include your website or portfolio if you have one. Make it easy for people to contact you and to find your work.

Artist Statement

The next piece of information to include in your art resume is your artist statement. This statement is a brief description of who you are as an artist, what drives you, and what your work is about. It should be highly personalized and unique, reflecting your individual style and voice.

Education and Training

A significant aspect of any art resume is your educational background and training. This section should detail the institutions you have attended for formal education, any relevant degrees or certifications you have earned. Note any art workshops, or any professional classes, and lessons taken. Ensure this information is detailed and accurate.

Exhibitions and Shows

This section of your resume should list all the shows and exhibitions you have participated in. Among examples to include are art shows, galleries, museums, and any other related exhibitions. You should also be sure to include any curated exhibitions, online exhibitions or residencies.

Awards and Honors

As an artist, you will have probably won awards or have obtained accolades in your area of specialization. These awards and honors are essential to include in your resume as they highlight your achievements and show how successful you are in the field. Examples of awards to include in this section are grants, fellowships, residencies, or any other official recognition.

Professional Experience

Lastly, make sure to include any work experience or collaborations with galleries, museums, art directors, among other relevant experiences. If you have worked as a teacher, whether freelance or full-time, be sure to note it down concisely. You should include your role, what skills you acquired, and how it has helped you in your career.

By including these essential elements, your art resume will be comprehensive, attractive and packed with information, giving employers and gallery owners a concise sense of who you are as an artist and what you are capable of achieving.

Highlighting Your Skills and Achievements

When it comes to creating an art resume, it’s important to highlight your skills and achievements to showcase your value as an artist. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

Tailoring your resume to fit the job you’re applying for

When applying for a job, it’s important to tailor your resume to fit the specific job you’re applying for. This means researching the company, reading the job description thoroughly, and highlighting the skills and experiences that match the requirements of the job.

For example, if you’re applying for a graphic design job that requires experience with Adobe Creative Suite, make sure to mention your proficiency in those programs on your resume. On the other hand, if you’re applying for a job that requires experience with watercolor painting, make sure to highlight your expertise in that medium.

By tailoring your resume to fit the job you’re applying for, you show the employer that you’ve taken the time to research and understand their needs, and that you have the skills and experiences necessary to succeed in the position.

Highlighting your unique skills and strengths

Every artist has their own unique set of skills and strengths, so it’s important to highlight what sets you apart. This could be anything from your ability to work quickly under pressure to your proficiency in a specific medium.

When highlighting your skills and strengths, make sure to use strong action verbs and provide specific examples. For example, instead of saying “proficient in Adobe Photoshop,” say “created a series of digital illustrations using Adobe Photoshop that received over 1,000 likes on Instagram.”

By highlighting your unique skills and strengths, you show the employer what makes you stand out from other applicants and what you can bring to the position.

Including impressive achievements that showcase your value as an artist

Finally, make sure to include impressive achievements on your resume that showcase your value as an artist. This could be anything from winning an award for your artwork to completing a high-profile commission.

When including achievements, make sure to provide specific details and quantify your successes. For example, instead of saying “won an award for my painting,” say “earned first place at the 2021 Art League Painting Exhibition, beating out over 50 other contestants.”

By including impressive achievements that showcase your value as an artist, you demonstrate your ability to succeed and stand out in the industry.

Highlighting your skills and achievements is essential for creating a standout art resume. By tailoring your resume to fit the job you’re applying for, highlighting your unique skills and strengths, and including impressive achievements, you can demonstrate your value as an artist and position yourself for success.

Using Keywords and Power Words

As a job applicant in the art industry, it is crucial to utilize keywords and power words in your resume. These words can help your resume stand out from others and increase your chances of being noticed by potential employers. The following are reasons why Keywords and Power Words are important:

Explanation of why keywords and power words are important

1. applicant tracking system (ats).

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they are passed on to a human reviewer. ATS looks for specific keywords related to the job posting. Including these relevant keywords in your resume will increase your chances of passing this automated screening process.

2. Attention-Grabbing

Keywords and power words are attention-grabbing, they help your resume stand out from others. These words can catch the eye of the hiring manager and ensure that they read through your entire resume.

3. Demonstrates Expertise

Including relevant keywords that match the skills, qualifications, and experience required for the job provides evidence that you have the expertise needed for the role. Power words help highlight your achievements and accomplishments with just a few well-chosen words.

Examples of keywords and power words to use in an art resume

When creating your art resume, here are a few keywords and power words to consider using:

• Artistic skills: Painting, drawing, design, sculpture, composition, color theory.
• Professional skills: Communication, time management, teamwork, project management, creativity, adaptability.
• Software skills: Adobe Creative Suite, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino.
• Descriptive power words: Visionary, innovative, versatile, creative, diligent, meticulous.

Tips for incorporating them seamlessly

Research relevant buzzwords: Look at the job posting and company website to identify keywords that match the job description and the company culture. Ensure your resume includes relevant phrases and industry-specific terms.

Use action verbs: Start each sentence with an action verb. Use power words such as created, designed, developed, or managed to describe your experience and accomplishments.

Keep it relevant: Avoid using irrelevant or generic keywords in your artwork. Customize your keywords to align it with the specific job description and the role requirements.

Avoid keyword stuffing: Although it’s important to include relevant keywords, don’t overdo it. Incorporate them properly throughout your resume to enhance your resume’s effectiveness.

Using keywords and power words in an art resume is a critical step towards securing your dream job. By implementing these techniques, you can tailor your resume to match each job you apply for, increasing the chances of being noticed by the recruiter. Be mindful, accurate and concise in presenting these words to get your desired result.

Samples and Examples

One of the best ways to improve your own art resume is to study other examples that are well-written and successful. This section provides a selection of art resumes that are proven to be effective, along with an analysis of what makes them strong. Finally, we offer tips on how you can apply these strategies to your own resume.

In this section, you will find art resumes that are excellent examples of what hiring managers are looking for. We have chosen a range of resumes that showcase different styles, elements and approaches. By studying these resumes, you will learn what it takes to make a resume that stands out from the crowd.

Next, we will analyze the resumes to identify what makes them effective. We will look at the layout, design, writing style, and content to understand why they work so well. By breaking down these resumes into their individual elements, you will get a better understanding of how to create a personalized resume that is both professional and engaging.

Finally, we offer practical tips on how to apply these strategies to your own resume. You will learn how to highlight your strengths, use the right language, and present your experience in the most effective way possible. These tips will help you create a compelling and effective art resume that will impress hiring managers and help you stand out in a crowded field.

This section provides a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their art resume. By studying well-written examples, analyzing their strengths, and applying the strategies to your own resume, you will be well on your way to creating a standout resume that will help you land the art job of your dreams!

Online Resume Options

As the world becomes more digital, the option of creating an online resume has become increasingly popular. While traditional paper resumes have their advantages, online resumes also provide unique benefits. Below are some pros and cons to consider when creating an online resume:

• Greater flexibility in design and format
• Easy accessibility for employers
• Ability to include multimedia elements (e.g. images, videos, links)
• Cost-effective and eco-friendly
• Can be less personal and professional without careful design
• May require technical skills
• Some employers may prefer traditional paper resumes
• Potential for privacy concerns

If you decide to create an online art resume, there are some guidelines to follow. It’s important to showcase your art effectively and provide necessary information in a clear and concise manner. Here are some tips on how to create an online art resume:

• Choose a clean and professional layout to present your work effectively
• Include relevant information such as education, exhibitions, awards or relevant experience
• Use high-quality images and descriptive text to convey your artistic abilities
• Consider adding a bio or artist statement to give the employer some background on your work
• Make your contact information easily accessible

Lastly, when optimizing an online resume for maximum visibility, it’s important to consider search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. This means using relevant keywords and phrases throughout your online resume in order to improve search engine results. Here are some additional tips:

• Use relevant and specific keywords throughout your resume
• Include a clear and descriptive headline
• Use hyperlinks to showcase your work and related professional sites
• Utilize social media to promote your resume
• Regularly update your resume to keep it relevant and fresh

Creating an art resume and optimizing it for online visibility may seem daunting, but by following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream job in the art world.

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8 Artist Resume Examples & Writing Guide

Need help creating an artist resume that gets noticed? Our guide provides writing tips and 8 example resumes for painters, sculptors, illustrators and more. Learn how to effectively highlight your artistic skills, experience and achievements. Follow our advice to make your resume stand out to employers and clients, and improve your chances of landing opportunities.

A great resume is essential for every artist pursuing new opportunities. Whether applying for exhibitions, residencies, grants or gallery representation, your resume makes a critical first impression. It provides an overview of your artistic background, skills and accomplishments to help decision-makers quickly assess if you're a good fit.

However, artist resumes are a bit different than standard business resumes. They need to effectively summarize your creative work and experience within a concise, visually compelling format. What should you include in your artist resume? How do you organize and design it for maximum impact?

This guide provides 8 professional artist resume examples along with proven tips for writing and formatting your own. Discover how to structure your resume, what sections to feature, and ways to powerfully market your unique artistic qualifications. Follow these strategies to create a resume that grabs attention and sets you apart. Soon you'll have a stellar artist resume ready to send out and land exciting new art opportunities.

Common Responsibilities Listed on Artist Resumes

• Creating original artwork using various mediums such as painting, drawing, sculpture, or digital art
• Researching and developing concepts, styles, and techniques for new artistic projects
• Preparing and setting up materials, canvases, or workspaces for artistic creation
• Participating in art exhibitions, galleries, or shows to showcase and sell artwork
• Collaborating with clients, art directors, or curators to understand project requirements
• Maintaining a portfolio of completed works to present to potential clients or employers
• Marketing and promoting artwork through social media, websites, or networking events
• Staying current with trends, techniques, and developments in the art world

How to write a Resume Summary

The notion of extracting your vast array of experiences and talents into a concise summary or objective section may seem daunting or even insignificant to you as an artist. You might ask, "Why limit my expansive creativity into a few sentences?" It's beneficial to remember that this section serves as a spotlight on a stage, highlighting your key attributes to all who glance upon it.

The summary or objective section capacitates you to communicate a well-defined message about your professional self. It's a encapsulation of who you are as a professional artist, what you bring to the table, and how you can foster aesthetic beauty and affective impact with your artistic talent.

Weaved skillfully, it directs the reader (often the recruiter or your prospective employer) to appreciate your unique artistic pursuit and understand how it aligns with the opportunity at hand. It's an opportunity to showcase your authenticity, narrate your professional story and convey your career aspirations. This is the introduction to your professional self, setting the tone before diving into the more detailed information about your skills, experiences, and achievements.

Having clarity on three aspects would suffice to shape a robust objective: your expertise, your aspiration, and the value you bring. Let's delve into these aspects:

Your Expertise: Your expertise communicates your understanding and skills in your artistic domain. It encompasses your knowledge and talents that enable you to produce great art.

Your Aspiration: This statement demonstrates the direction you wish your career to take. It provides insight into the kind of opportunities, challenges, and growth you're looking forward to unlocking.

Your Value Proposition: Express what sets you apart from your fellow artists. It involves demonstrating the unique approach or perspective you bring to your craft and the resultant benefits.

While wording this section, keep it concise but expressive. Employ a vibrant, professional tone that resonates with your artistic nature. Simplified language can communicate your message effectively without loss of meaning or authenticity. Tempered use of artsy, technical jargon may ensure appreciation from those familiar with artistry while keeping it comprehensible for others.

Yet, do remember not to oversell. Maintain a balance of humility and confidence. Assert your artistic talents, experiences and visions without sounding boastful or desperate. Make it influential, not imposing.

Remember, just like a piece of art, there is no right or wrong way to create this summary or objective. Make it a reflection of you as an artist - unique, expressive, and impactful. By doing so, you are making your resume more than just a ‘piece of paper’, making it echo with your professional voice, and allowing it to reverberate through the corridors of your prospective career ventures.

Surely, the next stroke of your brush would be taking this dive into concisely portraying your professional panorama - just like how you do it on your canvas.

Strong Summaries

• Accomplished visual artist with more than a decade of experience in creating stunning, realistic oil paintings. Specializes in portraiture and landscape work, demonstrating superior technical skills and artistic vision.
• Versatile multimedia artist, skilled in traditional drawing, digital arts, and sculpture. Exhibited internationally, having a creative approach to ideas and divergent design solutions.
• Highly creative and multitalented 3D artist with extensive experience in multimedia, marketing, and print design. Exceptional collaborative and interpersonal skills with well-developed written and verbal communication abilities.
• Artistic professional with a focus on surrealistic styles and a penchant for color theory. Holds an MFA degree, with work displayed in solo and group exhibitions in top art galleries across the country.
• Globally recognized graffiti artist, known for creating large-scale public murals. My work encourages social interaction while also challenging viewers to contemplate issues like climate change and social justice.

Why these are strong ?

These examples are good because each one highlights the artist's unique artistic style, their extensive experience in their field, and their accomplishments like exhibitions. Using rich descriptive words showcases their personality as an artist. Through different focuses and achievements in the summary, it clearly directs to differentiating skills or unique selling points to stand out from others. Furthermore, these summaries also provide a glimpse of their engagement with the community or society, displaying a strong professional image.

Weak Summaries

• I am an artist who draws stuff and things. I make paintings, drawings, and sometimes sculptures.
• I am an artist looking for work. I am good at art and have been doing it for some time now, just looking for someone to recognize my talent.
• I am not a professional artist but I believe that my style is unique and appealing to many. I am determined to get my artworks to the customers.
• I'm a painter and I can draw. I have sold some paintings but I'm hoping to sell more.
• I know how to paint, draw, and create other artistic works. I am working to become better every day.

Why these are weak ?

These are bad examples for a number of reasons: Firstly, they give no real, substantial information about the artist. Their techniques, experiences, specialties, or styles aren't mentioned. They are vague and do not shed light on the artist's expertise or distinctive characteristics which make them stand out from competitors. Secondly, professional confidence is absent, phrases like 'I am not a professional artist' or 'I believe' show lack of confidence and self-assuredness which are unattractive for potential employers or customers. Lastly, there is no mention of any past experiences, achievements or influences which are important for insights into their works or credibility. An effective professional summary should include all these aspects, structured coherently.

Showcase your Work Experience

At the heart of any substantial resume sits the Work Experience section. For the vast majority of potential employers, this is the part they pay most attention to. It details the skills you've acquired, the roles you've performed, and the impact you've had in your professional journey. This section tells your story, connects the dots, and reveals much more about you, than just a list of jobs you had. As an Artist, creating an engaging Work Experience section can be uniquely challenging. Let's delve into how to convey your story without losing its vibrancy and authenticity.

Understanding the Significance

The Work Experience section is not merely a catalogue of roles you held; it's a showcase of your professional growth and accomplishments. It paints a picture of your adaptability, ambition, and commitment. Particularly as an Artist, it's a chance to let the various projects and roles you've had shine, demonstrating your creative process, innovation and the range of your skills.

Key Elements to Include

The job title, company name, and dates of employment are essential. However, rather than mere job descriptions, shift your focus to illustrating your accomplishments, impacts, or the skills gained. For art-related roles, these can be professional works, exhibitions, or commissions. Highlight your creativity and individual style while aligning it with the requirements of the role you're aiming to secure.

Quantify your achievements and impact using concrete numbers, metrics, and percentages to demonstrate the value you brought to your previous roles.

Honing The Structure

Start with the most recent role and work backwards chronologically. For each role, provide a brief overview and delve into specific achievements. These could be successful projects, recognition, positive feedback, or skills mastered. Use dynamic but simple language, lay it out clearly and succinctly.

Freelance and Collaborative work

As an Artist, you may have freelanced assignments, involving unique creative collaboration efforts. These deserve a special mention. Highlight your ability to work and create independently, exhibit your visionary thinking and ability to execute your artistic projects.

Strikes a Balance

While you want to articulate your achievements, avoid an exaggerated tone or superfluous language. Stick to the point, maintain a simple, reader-friendly language. The aim is to ensure whoever reads your resume picks up a truthful, comprehensive understanding of your artistic career, capably making you a fitting choice.

As an Artist, think of your work experience section as a composition—a piece you are creating that, in harmony with the other sections, tells a story of growth, success, challenge, and learning. Like any masterpiece, it takes time, reflection, and a great deal of 'editing' to get it just right. And remember, each stroke of the brush has to serve the grand picture you are painting.

Strong Experiences

• Designed and executed original, hand-illustrated logos for "Art Fusion Festival" contributing to an increase in festival brand recognition.
• Collaborated with an art team of 5 to create thematic concepts for large-scale installations for nationwide art exhibitions.
• Led workshops on abstract painting techniques that increased community engagement by 30%.
• Curated and managed art shows, including contract negotiations, artist liaison, and venue coordination.
• Developed digital and print marketing materials, including event invitations and exhibition catalogs.
• Awarded 'Artist of the Year' by the Regional Art Council in 2020.

These examples are good as they are specific and demonstrate achievements and responsibilities in the Artist field. They highlight important art-related skills: design ability, teamwork, workshop leading, curation, contract negotiation, marketing materials creation, and recognition in the field. Employers look for concrete examples showing what an applicant has actually achieved rather than just listing general responsibilities.

Weak Experiences

• Worked on various art projects.
• Responsible for artistic tasks.
• In charge of canvases and paints.
• Participant in brainstorming sessions.
• Worked on team for some time.

The above mentioned points are considered as bad examples because they are vague, generic and do not convey the specifics of the tasks the artist has performed during their work experience. Art is a highly creative and diverse field, and those reviewing resumes need to understand the specific skill sets and experiences of the candidate. Points such as 'Worked on various art projects', 'Responsible for artistic tasks' do not give any insight into what kind of projects were handled and what artistic tasks were performed. The recruiters would be interested to know the specifics, for example what kind of art style is the individual proficient in or what kind and extent of an art project did they handle. Vague bullet points can put off a recruiter as it shows lack of attention to detail from the candidate's side.

Skills, Keywords & ATS Tips

As an artist, both your hard and soft skills play crucial roles in presenting your capabilities to potential employers. These skills help to paint a complete picture of you as a creative professional.

Hard Skills in an Artist Resume

Hard skills refer to the technical abilities or knowledge you need to perform your job. For an artist, these can include skills like using software for graphic design, your knowledge of artistic techniques, and your ability to create or understand certain forms of art. Demonstrating these skills on your resume specifically shows that you have the technical know-how that the job requires.

Soft Skills in an Artist Resume

On the other hand, there are soft skills. These relate more to your personal traits and work ethic. As an artist, relevant soft skills might be creativity, patience, observation, time management, or the ability to work under pressure. Despite not being specifically job-related, these skills supplement your hard skills and present you as a balanced and adaptable professional.

Keywords, ATS and Matching Skills

Now let's discuss the relationship between keywords, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and matching skills. An ATS is a software tool that helps employers handle job applications. It can screen resumes, eliminating those that don't fit the job's requirements, based on certain 'keywords'. These keywords typically include skills, qualifications or experiences that a company is looking for in a potential employee.

So, when you're writing your resume, it's really important to include these keywords. This will help your resume pass through an ATS and catch a potential employer's attention. That's why, when you're examining a job description, you need to pay special attention to keywords that match your skills. These keywords should be integrated reasonably and naturally into your resume in order to maximize your chances of moving on to the next step of the hiring process.

Remember, your resume represents you. So, make sure it showcases both your hard and soft skills as an artist. Plus, don't forget to include those job-related keywords and match them with your skills. With a well-composed resume in hand, your journey to your dream job will be smoother.

Top Hard & Soft Skills for Full Stack Developers

Hard skills.

• Illustration
• Graphic Design
• Digital Art
• Printmaking
• Color Theory
• Composition
• Visual Communication
• Photography
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Storyboarding

Soft Skills

• Imagination
• Attention to Detail
• Adaptability
• Problem Solving
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Time Management
• Critical Thinking
• Emotional Intelligence
• Open-mindedness
• Flexibility
• Stress Management
• Self-Motivation
• Artistic Sensitivity

Top Action Verbs

Use action verbs to highlight achievements and responsibilities on your resume.

• Illustrated
• Conceptualized
• Collaborated
• Communicated
• Problem-solved
• Photographed
• Storyboarded
• Experimented
• Interpreted
• Implemented
• Transformed

Education & Certifications

Including your educational background and any certifications on your resume is a crucial step, especially as an artist, to justify your skill set and proficiency. Start with a dedicated 'Education' section, listing your qualifications starting from the most recent one. Include the name of the institution, the degree or certificate received, and the years attended. For certificates tied to specific skills, it's effective to list these in a 'Skills' or 'Certifications' section. This way, your artistic talents and formal training are clearly showcased to potential employers.

Some of the most important certifications for Artists

Certification for proficiency in Adobe software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Certification for proficiency in Autodesk software such as Maya, 3ds Max, and AutoCAD.

Certification for proficiency in Cinema 4D software for 3D modeling and animation.

Certification for proficiency in Toon Boom Harmony for 2D animation.

Resume FAQs for Artists

What is the ideal format for an artist resume.

The ideal format for an artist resume is a combination of a chronological and functional format. This allows you to highlight your artistic skills and achievements, while also providing a clear timeline of your professional experience.

How long should an artist resume be?

An artist resume should typically be one page in length, unless you have extensive experience or a significant number of exhibitions and awards to include. In that case, it can be two pages, but no longer.

What type of information should be included in an artist resume?

An artist resume should include your contact information, a professional summary or objective statement, a list of your artistic skills and techniques, your exhibition history, awards and honors, any relevant work experience, and your education.

How can I make my artist resume stand out?

To make your artist resume stand out, focus on highlighting your unique artistic style and vision, as well as any notable achievements or exhibitions. Use descriptive language to convey the essence of your work, and consider including a link to your online portfolio or website.

Should I include my artistic philosophy or statement in my resume?

While it's not necessary to include your entire artistic philosophy or statement in your resume, you can include a brief summary or highlight key elements that reflect your artistic approach and vision. This can help provide context for your work and make your resume more compelling.

As an Artist, you breathe life into canvases, sculpting emotions into tangible form. Your role? Unleash creativity, master techniques, and captivate audiences with your visionary artworks. For resumes, curate a striking portfolio showcasing your unique style. Highlight artistic education and quantify triumphs like exhibitions or pieces sold. Above all, tailor each resume to the opportunity, accentuating skills that align with the role's vision.

Multidisciplinary artist with a passion for creating thought-provoking and emotionally resonant works across various mediums. Skilled in traditional and digital art techniques, with a keen eye for composition, color, and storytelling. Adept at collaborating with diverse teams to bring artistic visions to life, while consistently meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations.

• Spearheaded the development of a new visual style for the studio, resulting in a 30% increase in client acquisition.
• Managed a team of 5 artists, providing mentorship and guidance to ensure the delivery of high-quality artwork.
• Collaborated with clients to create bespoke artwork for advertising campaigns, exhibitions, and publications.
• Implemented a streamlined workflow process, reducing project turnaround time by 20%.
• Contributed to the studio's social media strategy, increasing follower engagement by 40%.
• Created illustrations for a diverse range of clients, including book publishers, magazines, and advertising agencies.
• Developed a unique illustration style that became highly sought after, resulting in a 50% increase in commissions.
• Collaborated with writers and art directors to create visually compelling narratives.
• Consistently delivered high-quality work within tight deadlines, maintaining a 95% client satisfaction rate.
• Expanded professional network through active participation in industry events and online communities.
• Assisted in the curation and installation of monthly exhibitions, ensuring a seamless visitor experience.
• Managed gallery inventory and sales, contributing to a 15% increase in revenue.
• Conducted research on featured artists and artworks, creating engaging content for gallery publications and tours.
• Provided exceptional customer service, building strong relationships with collectors and artists.
• Supported the gallery director in administrative tasks, including budget management and event planning.
• Oil painting
• Acrylic painting
• Digital illustration
• Graphic design
• Art direction
• Concept development
• Color theory
• Visual storytelling
• Project management

A freelance artist crafts custom artwork for a variety of clients and projects, breathing life into creative visions. When penning your resume, curate a captivating portfolio exhibiting diverse styles and mediums. Accentuate your artistic skills, technical prowess with relevant software, and any awards or exhibitions that validate your talents. Quantify relevant experience and education to substantiate your qualifications. Ensure a visually-appealing, well-formatted resume that reflects your eye for design. Above all, let your passion for art shine through to leave a lasting impression.

Evelyn Jennings is a creative and versatile freelance artist with over 8 years of experience in various art mediums, including digital illustration, graphic design, and traditional painting. Her unique style and ability to adapt to client needs have earned her a reputation as a reliable and talented artist in the industry.

• Created high-quality digital illustrations for clients in various industries, including publishing, advertising, and gaming
• Collaborated with art directors and clients to develop concepts and deliver artwork that met their specific requirements
• Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and client satisfaction
• Continuously expanded skill set and stayed up-to-date with the latest industry trends and techniques
• Built a strong portfolio and client base through networking and effective marketing strategies
• Designed logos, brochures, and other marketing materials for a diverse range of clients
• Collaborated with the creative team to develop and execute design concepts that aligned with client objectives
• Prepared and delivered design presentations to clients, incorporating their feedback and revisions
• Assisted with the development of brand guidelines and ensured consistency across all design projects
• Contributed to the agency's success by delivering high-quality work and fostering positive client relationships
• Taught various art classes, including drawing, painting, and digital art, to students of all ages and skill levels
• Developed engaging lesson plans and provided individualized guidance to help students improve their techniques and express their creativity
• Organized and promoted art exhibitions to showcase student work and raise the studio's profile in the local community
• Managed inventory and supplies, ensuring the studio was well-stocked and maintained
• Received consistently positive feedback from students and parents for creating a supportive and inspiring learning environment
• Traditional painting
• Clip Studio Paint
• Character design
• Print production
• Art instruction

A fine artist creates original artwork using various mediums like painting, sculpture or photography. Their resume should highlight formal art education, exhibitions or awards showcasing their work, mediums and artistic styles. Relevant experiences like teaching art classes or gallery internships are assets. Discuss your artistic background and vision concisely with a visually-appealing layout.

Imaginative and dynamic fine artist with a passion for exploring the boundaries of creative expression. Skilled in a wide range of media and techniques, from traditional painting and drawing to contemporary digital art and installations. Recognized for thought-provoking and emotionally resonant works that challenge perceptions and inspire dialogue. Committed to pushing the frontiers of art and contributing to the vibrant cultural landscape.

• Developed and executed a series of large-scale, site-specific installations exploring themes of identity and belonging
• Collaborated with a diverse team of artists, curators, and community members to create inclusive and engaging programming
• Conducted workshops and artist talks to promote public engagement with contemporary art practices
• Received critical acclaim for a solo exhibition showcasing a powerful new body of work
• Secured grant funding to support ongoing research and experimentation with innovative materials and techniques
• Designed and taught a range of studio art courses for adults and youth, focusing on painting, drawing, and mixed media
• Developed curriculum and lesson plans to foster technical skill development and creative problem-solving
• Mentored emerging artists through one-on-one critiques and portfolio reviews
• Curated student exhibitions and coordinated public programs to showcase their work
• Collaborated with museum educators to integrate studio art practices into interpretive programming
• Provided technical and administrative support to internationally renowned artists in a fast-paced gallery setting
• Prepared materials, maintained equipment, and managed inventory for multiple studio spaces
• Assisted with the production and installation of complex artworks for exhibitions and art fairs
• Coordinated shipping and logistics for artworks traveling to museums and collectors worldwide
• Gained in-depth knowledge of contemporary art market practices and built relationships with key industry professionals
• Installation art
• Digital art
• Art history
• Studio management
• Art handling
• Exhibition design
• Public speaking
• Grant writing

A storyboard artist breathes life into scripts by skillfully visualizing scenes through illustrations that guide the creative vision. To craft an impressive resume, highlight your artistic talents, relevant education/training, and experience working on creative projects. Emphasize your ability to visually communicate narratives, collaborate with teams, and proficiency in industry software. Make your resume stand out by including links to an online portfolio showcasing your best storyboard samples. Quantify achievements like the number of projects you've contributed to or accolades received. Demonstrate your unique perspective and passion for storytelling through visuals.

Innovative and imaginative Storyboard Artist with a proven track record of bringing scripts to life through compelling visuals. Known for collaborating closely with directors, producers, and writers to develop storyboards that effectively convey the desired mood, tone, and pacing of each scene. Adept at working under tight deadlines while maintaining a keen eye for detail and consistency.

• Led the storyboarding team for a highly anticipated animated feature film, resulting in a visually stunning and emotionally engaging final product.
• Collaborated with the director and writers to develop and refine the film's narrative, ensuring that each scene effectively conveyed the desired emotions and plot points.
• Mentored junior storyboard artists, providing guidance and feedback to help them improve their skills and contribute to the overall success of the project.
• Introduced innovative storyboarding techniques that streamlined the production process and reduced costs by 15%.
• Received a studio award for outstanding contributions to the film's success.
• Created storyboards for multiple episodes of popular animated series, consistently meeting tight deadlines while maintaining high quality standards.
• Worked closely with directors and writers to interpret scripts and develop visually engaging scenes that effectively conveyed the desired tone and pacing.
• Contributed ideas and suggestions during story meetings, helping to shape the direction of episodes and improve overall storytelling.
• Developed a reputation for creating storyboards that required minimal revisions, saving time and resources during the production process.
• Participated in cross-functional teams to ensure smooth collaboration between departments and timely completion of projects.
• Provided storyboarding services for a diverse range of clients, including independent filmmakers, advertising agencies, and educational institutions.
• Demonstrated exceptional adaptability and communication skills, successfully interpreting client briefs and delivering storyboards that exceeded expectations.
• Developed a strong professional network through consistent delivery of high-quality work and positive client referrals.
• Created storyboards for a crowdfunded animated short film that went on to receive critical acclaim at international film festivals.
• Continuously updated skills and knowledge of industry trends to provide clients with cutting-edge storyboarding solutions.
• Visual Storytelling
• Sketching and Drawing
• Storyboarding Software (Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, Adobe Photoshop)
• Composition and Framing
• Cinematography
• Script Analysis and Interpretation
• Collaborative Problem Solving
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Time Management and Deadlines
• Creativity and Imagination
• Strong Communication Skills
• Ability to Give and Receive Constructive Feedback
• Knowledge of Animation Principles
• Passion for Storytelling and Visual Arts

Visual artists breathe life into concepts through their imaginative use of mediums like paint, clay, and digital tools. Their role involves conceptualizing captivating ideas and skillfully transforming them into evocative visual masterpieces that inspire and provoke thought. When crafting a resume, showcase your artistic prowess by highlighting notable exhibitions, awards, and a link to your online portfolio. Emphasize your artistic vision, technical abilities, and commitment to continuous creativity and growth within the allocated word count.

Highly creative and versatile Visual Artist with a passion for crafting captivating and thought-provoking artworks across various mediums. Skilled in traditional and digital art techniques, consistently delivering innovative and impactful visual solutions. Adept at collaborating with clients and team members to bring artistic visions to life. Committed to pushing creative boundaries and making a lasting impression on audiences.

• Lead the conceptualization and execution of visual elements for high-profile client projects, resulting in a 95% client satisfaction rate.
• Developed and implemented innovative art styles and techniques, enhancing the studio's creative output and attracting a 30% increase in new clients.
• Mentored and guided a team of 5 junior artists, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Created a series of large-scale murals for public spaces, garnering widespread public acclaim and media coverage.
• Designed and illustrated a best-selling graphic novel, achieving sales of over 100,000 copies within the first month of release.
• Developed visually stunning concept art and illustrations for various entertainment industry projects, including feature films, TV shows, and video games.
• Collaborated closely with art directors and production teams to ensure visual consistency and alignment with project goals.
• Created a series of digital paintings that were featured in a prominent international art exhibition, receiving critical acclaim.
• Designed and produced a range of merchandise items featuring original artwork, generating over $50,000 in revenue.
• Conducted workshops and tutorials on digital painting techniques, empowering aspiring artists to refine their skills.
• Provided high-quality visual art services to a diverse range of clients, including book publishers, advertising agencies, and individual collectors.
• Developed a strong portfolio showcasing various art styles and techniques, attracting a steady stream of freelance projects.
• Created a series of commissioned portraits that consistently exceeded client expectations and resulted in a 90% referral rate.
• Designed and illustrated a collection of book covers for a bestselling author, contributing to increased sales and visibility.
• Maintained a strong online presence through social media and a professional website, building a dedicated following of over 50,000 fans and potential clients.
• Traditional drawing and painting
• Concept art development
• Color theory and composition
• Environment design
• 3D modeling and texturing
• Motion graphics
• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Collaboration and communication

A concept artist is a visionary creative responsible for translating abstract ideas into vivid visual designs for films, video games, and other multimedia projects. Their role involves conceptualizing characters, environments, and storyboards that bring narrative concepts to life. When crafting a resume for this role, it's crucial to showcase an exceptional portfolio that demonstrates your artistic prowess, imagination, and mastery of digital art tools. Highlight your formal training, technical skills, and any experience working within creative teams to visualize and refine concepts through multiple iterations.

Visionary Concept Artist with a passion for bringing imaginative worlds to life. Skilled in leveraging digital art tools to create captivating characters, environments, and props that immerse audiences in compelling narratives. Excels at collaborating with cross-functional teams to align artistic vision with project goals and deliver high-quality visual assets on tight deadlines.

• Led the concept art team for a new AAA game title, delivering over 200 high-quality character, environment, and prop designs that received praise from the creative director and executive team.
• Collaborated closely with the game design and narrative teams to ensure concept art aligned with gameplay mechanics and storytelling, resulting in a cohesive and immersive player experience.
• Mentored and provided art direction to a team of 5 junior concept artists, fostering their skills development and ensuring consistent quality across all visual assets.
• Created detailed style guides and asset libraries that improved workflow efficiency and enabled the 3D modeling team to accurately translate 2D concepts into game-ready assets.
• Participated in regular art reviews and critiques, providing constructive feedback to team members and identifying areas for improvement and iteration.
• Developed concept art for characters, environments, vehicles, and weapons for the critically acclaimed game Assassin's Creed Odyssey.
• Collaborated with the art director to establish the visual style and aesthetic of the game, ensuring consistency across all concept art assets.
• Created detailed turnarounds, orthographic views, and color palettes for characters and props, providing clear references for 3D modelers and texture artists.
• Participated in brainstorming sessions with the creative team to generate ideas for new game features, locations, and storylines.
• Assisted in the creation of marketing and promotional materials, including key art, character renders, and environmental shots.
• Created concept art for characters, creatures, and props for the game Dragon Age: Inquisition, contributing to the game's award-winning visual design.
• Collaborated with senior concept artists to develop and refine art assets, ensuring consistency with the established art style and game lore.
• Assisted in the creation of storyboards and keyframes for cutscenes and cinematics, working closely with the animation team.
• Participated in regular art critiques and reviews, receiving feedback from senior artists and the art director to improve skills and techniques.
• Maintained organized project files and asset libraries, ensuring easy access and version control for the art team.
• Character Design
• Environment Design
• Prop Design
• Digital Painting
• 3D Modeling (Basic)
• Illustrator
• PaintTool SAI
• Zbrush (Basic)

Digital Artists leverage creative vision and technical skills to produce compelling visual designs and illustrations using digital tools. This role involves conceptualizing artistic ideas, manipulating images and graphics, and designing digital art assets for various media. When crafting a resume, clearly format relevant experience such as graphic design or animation projects. Highlight technical expertise with software like Adobe Creative Cloud. Maintain an online portfolio showcasing your best work. Most importantly, tailor your resume's content to the specific Digital Artist role you're pursuing.

Innovative Digital Artist with a passion for creating captivating visual experiences. Adept at leveraging cutting-edge technologies to develop immersive digital environments and characters. Proven track record of delivering high-quality projects for top-tier entertainment and gaming companies. Collaborative team player with strong communication skills and a keen eye for detail.

• Led the digital art team in creating stunning visual assets for the popular game League of Legends, resulting in a 20% increase in player engagement.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement innovative art styles and techniques, enhancing the overall visual quality of the game.
• Mentored junior artists, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the team.
• Developed a streamlined workflow for asset creation, reducing production time by 25% while maintaining high quality standards.
• Created highly detailed and expressive character designs, environments, and visual effects that received widespread acclaim from players and industry professionals.
• Contributed to the creation of photorealistic digital environments and characters for major Hollywood blockbusters, including Star Wars and Marvel films.
• Developed and implemented advanced texturing and lighting techniques to enhance the realism and visual impact of digital assets.
• Collaborated with VFX supervisors and art directors to ensure that digital assets met the creative vision and technical requirements of each project.
• Optimized digital assets for performance and efficiency, ensuring smooth integration into complex VFX pipelines.
• Participated in research and development initiatives to explore new technologies and techniques for digital art creation.
• Created high-quality 3D models, textures, and animations for AAA video game titles, including Assassin's Creed and Watch Dogs.
• Collaborated with game designers and programmers to ensure that 3D assets were optimized for performance and seamlessly integrated into game engines.
• Developed and maintained 3D art pipelines and workflows, streamlining production processes and improving efficiency.
• Participated in art direction meetings and provided creative input to shape the visual style and direction of game projects.
• Mentored and trained junior 3D artists, helping to develop their skills and foster a positive team environment.
• 3D Modeling
• Visual Effects
• Substance Painter
• Unreal Engine
• Real-time Rendering

A professional artist conceptualizes and creates original artworks across mediums like painting, drawing, sculpture, and digital art. They may work freelance or for clients. For the resume, highlight your artistic style through an online portfolio showcasing your best works. Detail formal art education, exhibitions/awards, proficiency with various mediums, and any relevant experience.

Highly creative and versatile professional artist with a passion for crafting visually stunning and thought-provoking works across various media. Skilled in traditional and digital art techniques, with a keen eye for composition, color, and detail. Adept at collaborating with clients and team members to bring artistic visions to life, consistently delivering projects on time and exceeding expectations. Dedicated to continuous learning and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

• Spearheaded the development of a new visual style for the studio's flagship project, resulting in a 30% increase in client satisfaction and a 20% boost in project efficiency.
• Mentored and guided a team of 5 junior artists, fostering a collaborative and creative work environment that improved overall team performance by 25%.
• Created a series of large-scale murals for high-profile clients, including Fortune 500 companies and public institutions, consistently receiving praise for the artworks' impact and visual appeal.
• Developed and implemented innovative digital art techniques that streamlined the studio's workflow, reducing project timelines by 15% on average.
• Represented the studio at industry events and exhibitions, establishing valuable connections and securing new business opportunities that contributed to a 20% growth in annual revenue.
• Collaborated with a diverse range of clients, including book publishers, magazines, and advertising agencies, to create compelling illustrations that effectively communicated their desired messages.
• Developed a strong personal brand and online presence, attracting a steady stream of clients and maintaining a 95% client retention rate.
• Created a series of illustrations for a best-selling children's book, contributing to its success and earning recognition from industry professionals.
• Designed and illustrated a series of collectible art prints that sold out within 48 hours of release, demonstrating a strong understanding of market demand and trends.
• Continuously expanded skill set and adapted to new technologies, ensuring the ability to deliver high-quality work across various media and styles.
• Designed visually striking and user-friendly interfaces for web and mobile applications, contributing to a 25% increase in user engagement and client satisfaction.
• Created a cohesive and impactful visual identity for a national non-profit organization, helping to raise brand awareness and support for their cause.
• Collaborated closely with the marketing team to develop compelling visual content for social media campaigns, resulting in a 40% increase in followers and a 60% boost in engagement rates.
• Streamlined the design process by creating and maintaining a library of reusable design assets, reducing project turnaround times by 20% on average.
• Participated in regular design critiques and workshops, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the design team.
• Concept art
• Visual development
• Matte painting
• Collaborative problem-solving

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7 Artist Resume Examples Built for 2024

Best for candidates with 3+ years of experience

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Artist Resume

• Artist Resumes A-M
• Artist Resumes N-Z

Art is a universal language. No matter what medium you use or the type of art you create, your creative abilities, professionalism, and overall talent make the world a brighter, more beautiful place.

If you’re ready to embark on your next career adventure, you may be wondering whether a cover letter generator really works and how to write a compelling resume . How are you supposed to know what hiring managers want in an ideal candidate?

We know that writing resumes isn’t easy, which is why  we’ve scoured through hundreds of resumes to determine what gets you a job versus what doesn’t.  Our seven sample artist resumes are the culmination of our research to help you get inspired and create a resume that gets you hired.

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Why this resume works

• If you have any certifications or special achievements, now is the time to mention them! You should also list your years of experience and the title of the employer. 
• For example, good metrics for your artist’s resume might include increases in art sales, the amount of recurring business, or the amount of money you saved.

Animator Resume

• Show, with support of numbers, in both your artist cover letter and resume how your animation projects delivered the most realistic experiences and you’ll be the candidate that recruiters will be after.

Fine Artist Resume

• Always tailor this section to the job description by including the company name and position. If you don’t have time to tailor it, omit it in favor of more work experience instead.
• Even if you only have a high school diploma, employers want to know that you’ve completed some higher education. If you have a college degree, you can omit your high school diploma (although if you have a graduate degree, include both your undergrad and graduate degrees separately).

Freelance Artist Resume

• Use sentence fragments for your work experience bullets and don’t worry about ending punctuation (although commas are encouraged).
•  Avoid using adjectives or the word “skills” in your skills section since they’re redundant.
• If it comes between adding an optional section (like an objective or summary) and adding more work experience,  add work experience .
• To make sure your resume is easy to skim, choose margins that are one inch around and keep your font size big (but not massive).

Graphic Artist Resume

• Action words cut out the fluff and highlight your achievements from the get-go.
• Words such as “founded,” “directed,” “awarded,” “managed,” and “created” are great examples of action words.
• Before you submit your application,  check your resume  for grammar errors, typos, and inaccuracies. If you can, ask a co-worker to review your resume, too, as they’ll be able to catch mistakes that you and AI might have missed.

Makeup Artist Resume

• Good skills to add would be “color theory,” “makeup application,” “skincare,” and “collaboration.”
• For example, if the job description repeatedly mentions makeup application for special occasions, you should include your experience applying makeup for significant events like proms, weddings, and birthdays.
• You should also include repeated keywords you see in the job description, such as “product knowledge” and “achieve sales objectives,” try to incorporate similar keywords in your makeup artist resume .

Painter Resume

• To ensure that potential employers get a taste of your abilities, highlight your increasing numbers in sales.

Related resume guides

How to Write an Artist Statement - All you Need to Know

Your artist's statement is your chance to talk not just through your art but about your art. You can use your artist's statement to reveal the concepts, philosophy, themes and ideas behind your artwork and this useful guide will tell you how!

What is an Artist Statement? 

 An artist's statement is as important as an artist's work. Simply put, the artist statement is a brief description of your artworks that shapes the viewers' perspective when they are looking at your art.

Think of it as your substitute when you are not present to answer questions related to your art. Art is subjective. People will look at your craft and evaluate it. So, it helps if you communicate your story to the viewer. Viewers often have questions about the art they are looking at. An effective artist statement answers those questions while you are not there.

Writing an artist statement should ideally be natural and free flowing because essentially, you are expressing your own story. However, it can seem challenging to put one together. 

Creative professionals write artist statements as part of their online portfolio. An online portfolio acts as your professional address and launchpad to find work opportunities and recognition. Artist statements go hand-in-hand with a online portfolio website . A website helps you gain credibility and legitimacy. Take a look at some great examples of artist portfolio websites .

Create your artist portfolio website  on Pixpa within minutes without any coding. Start your free trial. No credit card required .

Given below are a few valuable tips from professional essay writers that will help you to write a clear, concise, and compelling artist statement.   Here are stunning  great tattoo artist portfolio website examples  designed for your use. 

How to write an artist statement – The structure

Your artist statement is about YOU. So you must make it personal. Writing an artist statement is also an exercise for you to clarify your ideas about your work. 

• What is the intent and purpose of your art?
• What does it say about you as an artist?
• What keeps you motivated every day?
• What is your artist story?
• What questions are you often asked about your work?
• Who is your audience

You must establish the connection between what you are creating as an artist, and why are you doing it. How are you expressing your ideas with the medium of your choice?

Your artist statement is an introduction to your work and should be no more than 100 -150 words. The opening sentence should be distinct and captivating and draw the readers in. Begin with a short paragraph about the basic premise behind your work, artistic style, and vision. What do you want to say with your art? What is it that makes your work unique? What inspires you? What makes you stand out from the rest of the artists working in your space? 

Be honest about your work. Avoid repetition of words. Use simple language and short sentences that draw attention to, and illustrate your ideas to your audience 

The next paragraph should be a concise expression of the type of work presented and the artistic process. Describe your job, your favorite colors, and your technique as an. As a photographer, explain your work from a creative and technical standpoint.

An artist statement can be a full-page statement or a short statement, only focusing on your current project.

In a full-page artist statement, do remember to include the following:

• The reason behind creating your work and its history
• Overall vision
• The context of your work -Medium, artistic process, technique, and influences. Highlight what materials you work with and your sources and inspiration
• The expectations of your audience and how they perceive your work
• Your current work’s relation to your previous projects
• How your work fits with current contemporary art practice

Tip: While writing, do remember that you should avoid exaggerated statements and avoid pretentiously grand terms like 'the only one' or the 'best.'

Where is an artist statement used?

Remember, an artist statement complements your bio or resume.  It is an opportunity to help the reader envision your work before actually seeing it, and present a picture of who you are as an artist. 

Here are a few places where you may need to submit your artist statement:

• To a gallery owner or curator who needs details about your work.
• To a competitive event or an artist collective.
• When applying to graduate school
• When applying for grants or art scholarships
• When applying for a teaching position.
• To a reviewer who is writing about your work for a magazine or catalog.
• As an introduction to your creative work for potential buyers.

Along with your portfolio of works, you must have an artist statement ready at all times. It is the first point of communication between you as an artist and the viewer.

Examples of famous artist statements

Here are some artist statement examples that you can get inspired from:

Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, silkscreen print

"I long for the old days of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, stars who had real glamour and mystique. We only knew so much about their lives; the rest was a mystery… My fascination with letting images repeat and repeat – or in a film's case 'run on' – manifests my belief is that we spend much of our lives seeing without observing."

Leonardo da Vinci, Salvator Mundi. Wikipedia

"The beginnings and ends of shadow lie between the light and darkness and may be infinitely diminished and infinitely increased. Shadow is the means by which bodies display their form. The forms of bodies could not be understood in detail but for shadow."

Painting by Berthe Morisot

"It is important to express oneself… provided the feelings are real and are taken from your own experience… My ambition is limited to capturing something transient, and yet, this ambition is excessive."

From any of the sample artist statements above, you can understand that conveying the purpose of your art and your philosophy towards it is important.

Check out these great examples of  artist portfolio websites  for your inspiration and further examples of artist statements.

Tips for writing a compelling artist statement:

1. share the inspiration behind your art.

One of the best ways to introduce your art to the viewers is to write about the inspiration behind it. This lays a foundation before you begin to explain your artwork to your viewers. Inspiration can be a daily phenomenon or a particular incident. Regardless, explain it in as simple words as you can. This act accomplishes the principal goal of connecting with the viewer. Not doing so leaves a viewer unconnected, especially if it's abstract art. Without it, your art is a splash of multiple colors on canvas with nothing to make of it.

2. Shape the viewer's perspective

The next important thing to do when you write an artist statement is to explain your art in words that would shape the perspective of viewers. Your art is your viewpoint, and one can easily misunderstand it. To ensure that you and the viewer are on the same page, add a line or two to explain your art. But, restrain from divulging all the details about your work. Try to leave a little room for curiosity such that the viewer is bound to further inquire about your art.

3. Keep the artist statement as small as possible

If you are wondering how long should your artist statement be, then you should know that lengthy biographies drain viewers, especially when they are out to see beautiful art. A lot of fancy words make a statement boring and challenging to comprehend. A long-winded explanation makes the work appear insecure.

Some of the best artist statements are under 100 words. A rule of thumb that you can follow here is - the shorter, the better. Find an example of an artist statement that you can relate to and get inspired by ideas from it.

Consider this as the most critical point in your lessons on how to write an artist statement. An effective artist statement is anywhere from a hundred words to one-page-long. To bring your statement in this range, cut down on technical details and fancy words that you may have included in your artist statement.

4. Use an active voice

Write your artist statement in an active voice. It makes the tone more conversational as if you are speaking to your viewer in person. It establishes an instant connection with the viewer. Use online editing tools like  the Hemingway  App to ensure that your artist statement appears in the active voice. 

5. Avoid spelling and grammatical mistakes

One of the primary purposes of an artist statement is to draw the audience into your artworks and lead them to explore your art further. A sloppy artist statement puts a reader off, departing them with less interest or no interest in art at all. Inconsistency in writing, typos, and spelling errors might turn a viewer away.

You can use tools like  Grammarly  to avoid small grammatical mistakes. A well-punctuated, typo-free, artist statement is a joy to read.

Here's a simple list of do's and don'ts to sum everything up. You can use this as your artist statement format:

Do’s - Best practices to create a successful artist statement

• Keep your artist statement short
• Be specific and on the point
• Bring clarity, confidence and focus on your statement
• Write about 'Why' you created the artwork
• Use precise details such as where you are from, where you live, your medium and style of work
• Use active voice
• Always write in the first person. Use "I" instead of "you" in your sentences. This helps in writing a statement that is easily readable by the viewer. Do remember to keep your bio updated

A few DONT’S to remember while writing your artist statement:

• Don't be pompous. It shouldn't just highlight your accomplishments.
• Do not generalize or romanticize
• It should not be too long 
• Avoid grammatical errors
• Don't use unnecessary references or things unrelated to your work
• Do not use passive voice
• It should not read like a cliched vision statement
• Do not summarize your biographical information or CV in your artist statement

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Do get feedback about your artist statement from your friends, peers, and mentors, before you start using it. Make sure that you get at least three people to proofread it for you. A good practice is to have a friend read the artist statement aloud to you. Hearing it out loud can help you identify mistakes and assess the statement objectively.

Make sure that your artist statement converses in a simple language that everyone understands.

Remember, your artist statement will not just represent your work on your artist portfolio. It will also serve as an example of your professionalism and expertise. An effective artist statement will draw more people to your work, enhance their experience, and help them appreciate it.

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The Artist Resume and CV

Artist resume.

Writing an artist resume requires different content, organization, and formatting than the standard resume. Depending on the particular job and field of interest, artist resumes will highlight a number of skills and include  some sections that are not present in a standard resume or academic CV. For this reason, an artist resume may be slightly longer than the standard one-page resume. Some artists might include a link to their portfolios in their contact information. Keep in mind that the resumes discussed here relate primarily to positions within commercial galleries, museums, exhibition opportunities, and  grant applications. 

 In addition to the standard Education, Experience, Honors and Awards, and Skills sections, the artist resume may include some or all of the following sections:

• Bibliography:  Includes articles on your work, media interviews, and reviews of your art work
• Exhibitions:  List the exhibitions you have participated in along with details such as the name of the exhibit, place, and space. You can divide this section into separate categories such as group shows, solo shows, and invitational exhibitions
• Collections:  This section can be divided into corporate collections, private collections, and permanent public collections. Seek permission before referencing the name of the private owner of your work in your resume.
• Publications, Productions, Shows : For authors and performing artists, you may include a list of your publications, productions, and performances.

For more tips on writing an artist resume, see the  College Art Association’s “Artist Resume: Recommended Conventions.”

Resume for A “Day Job”

Artists may use a standard resume format when applying for positions outside of academia, and possibly unrelated to your art discipline (administrative positions or other office jobs). Using a standard resume in such cases will give potential employers relevant information about your transferable and administrative skills. Keep in mind the following strategies and tips for writing this version of your resume:

• Keep it to one page.
• Focus on skills that are relevant to the position and highlight the transferable skills you use as an artist.
• Use strong action verbs (listed in our 200+ Action Verbs to Spice Up Your Resume resource) to start your bullets.
• Keep the information clear and concise and include relevant details that create impact.
• List sections and headings strategically to showcase necessary skills sets.
• Highlight volunteer activities and memberships (clubs, associations, and student organizations) to demonstrate leadership and involvement outside of school.

For tips on writing a standard resume, see our Writing a Resume: Getting Started resource.

Academic Curriculum Vitae (CV)

You will want to create a CV when applying to academic employment in higher education. There are several key differences between an artist’s academic curriculum vitae and an artist’s resume. Primarily, the CV is a record of all of your professional activities and is intended for use in applying for academic positions. whereas the artist resume is an abbreviated document used to apply for non academic jobs.  As your career progresses, you will need to add to the list, create new categories or make changes in your CV format. 

Keep in mind the following strategies and tips for writing a CV:

• Try to keep it to 3-4 pages.
• Highlight your most significant achievements as a student, teacher, and scholar.
• Use headings such as “Selected Solo Exhibitions” or “Selected Bibliography” to organize numerous shows or a lengthy bibliography.
• In addition to Exhibitions, Bibliography, and Collections, section headings can include, but are not limited to : Education, Honors and Awards, Grants and Fellowships, Teaching Experience, Visiting Artist Lectures and Presentations, Research Experience, Relevant Work Experience, Skills, Presentations, Publications, and Professional Affiliations.

For tips on writing an Artist’s Academic Curriculum Vitae and for a number of additional sections that can be included, see the  College Art Association’s “Visual Artist Curriculum Vitae: Standards and Conventions.”

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The Practical Art World

How to write an artist’s cv when you don’t have much (or any) professional experience.

For new and emerging artists, creating an artist’s CV (also called an artist’s resume) when you have little or no experience can be a bit of a Catch 22. You don’t have much to put on your CV, but to apply for “experience” in the form of exhibitions, grants, and schooling, you are asked to provide a CV.

When writing an artist’s CV or artist’s resume, some of the most frequently asked questions are “What if I don’t have an exhibition history?” or “What if I didn’t go to art school?” Fortunately, there are ways to tailor what relevant experience you have into an artist’s CV format. Just remember: don’t lie, and don’t make up anything that doesn’t exist. Just tell the truth, shaping it a little (creatively—it’s what you do best, right?) into the established CV format.

If you haven’t already read How to Create an Artist’s CV in 10 Steps , start there. Below are suggestions which elaborate on that article, aimed specifically at “professionalizing” the CV of an emerging artist who has yet to gain professional experience as an artist.

If you’re writing a CV, check out our Artist’s CV Templates. Create your own industry-standard CV with 16 different category options, plus examples. Included are three options specifically for emerging artists!

How to format personal details on your artist’s CV / artist’s resume

Refer to point 1 in the original article . As I mentioned, many established artists keep this section quite short. However, if you are putting together a CV when you don’t have experience, this is a good opportunity to tell your reader about yourself. Adding a very brief bio / artist statement can be good if you would like to talk about experiences which don’t fit into the rest of the CV. If you are going to do this, just remember to keep it brief and concise.

• DO have a website set up, and include the address
• DO add where you live and work (and when you were born, if you want to)
• DO add professional contact details where someone can actually contact you
• DO add a short bio or artist statement, concisely and professionally describing your practice
• DON’T use a non-professional or obscure email like [email protected]
• DON’T use your office phone number or your Mom’s phone number
• DON’T oversell yourself: you will look like a professional, dedicated emerging artist if you are honest. You will look desperate if you pretend to be something you are not.

Example of bad formatting for contact details:

Vincent van Gogh ~Sometimes called the world’s most famous artist~!!! Check out my work here http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/gogh/ Email me! [email protected]

Example of good formatting for contact details

Vincent van Gogh Born March 30, 1853 Currently lives and works in Paris, France [email protected] | www.vangoghgallery.com   Vincent van Gogh is an emerging artist, working primarily in oils. He often employs bold colours and emotive tableaux in a post-impressionistic manner.    

Listing Education on your artist’s CV / artist’s resume when you haven’t gone to art school

Refer to point 2 in the original article. Many emerging as well as professional artists are self-taught, and yet for some reason the education section of a CV tends to be intimidating for all but those who have a Masters degree. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Despite what you may think looks professional or not, you can use the education section of your CV to highlight any casual mentorships, art classes, workshops, and schooling that you have had. If you feel that the institutions or situations of your art schooling are less than professional, the best way to present them is to highlight the teachers you have studied under, instead of the specific classes or institutions.

• DO include any teacher or artist you’ve studied under
• DON’T list any education on your CV that doesn’t explicitly link to your art career (like your degree in biology).

Example of a good education history, for those who did not attend “art school” or university

Education Studied under: Lynne McLaughlin Tom Backlund Geoff Parker

Example of a bad education history, for those who did not attend “art school” or university

Education One hour workshop with Lynne McLaughlin Informal classes with Tom Backlund Has received feedback from Geoff Parker Bachelor of Science, Biology major

Listing exhibitions on your artist’s CV / artist’s resume when you don’t have any, or have very few

Refer to point 3 from the original article .

One way to add exhibitions to your CV is to list any which are forthcoming. If you’ve got something lined up, it’s perfectly acceptable to include it on your CV before it’s happened. Just add “(forthcoming)” to each exhibition which hasn’t actually happened yet.

Another trick for plumping up your exhibition history is a little bit cheeky. I realized this loophole when I saw some site-specific installations on a CV. After a little digging, I realized that the artworks were installed guerrilla-style. In other words, someone made art and put it somewhere without invitation or the formal aspects of a traditional exhibition. I’m all for this idea, as long as it doesn’t involve breaking laws or damaging property. It’s a great idea to show your artwork (though, you might not be able to get it back), and certainly an artistic project that can be added to your CV under your exhibition history. Just make sure you classify it properly, as to not mislead anyone!

• DO list all of your exhibitions, even if they aren’t in a gallery
• DO list all of your forthcoming exhibitions and projects
• DON’T make anything up.

If you’re writing a CV without much professional art experience, we made Artist’s CV Templates. It’s the easy way to put together your professional CV, and includes three options are specifically for emerging artists.

Example of a good formatting for an exhibition list

2022  Group exhibition, Vancouver Art Gallery (forthcoming) 2021  Site-specific installation, “ Alleyway” , Vancouver, BC 2018  Solo exhibition, Moon Cafe, Vancouver BC

Example of a bad formatting for an exhibition list

2023 Planned gallery exhibition (forthcoming) <– if you don’t have any solid details, don’t include it 2012  Solo exhibition, Museum of Modern Art, NY <– you made that up!  

Listing collections on your artist’s CV / artist’s resume when you don’t have any, or have very few

Refer to point 5 from the original article. If you are a new or emerging artist, you probably do not have your work in any public collections. Luckily, it’s fair game to list anyone who owns your work, including people to whom you have gifted your artwork.

Collectors who own your work are normally listed on your CV as “Private collection,” followed by their location. You should not actually name someone unless they have explicitly agreed to be listed as a collector of your work, and / or if you have some other reason to do so (for example, they are a very well-known collector).

• DO make a list of people who own your work, even if they didn’t actually purchase it; most of these you can convert to “Private collection,” followed by location
• DON’T put your Mom’s name on the list, or anyone with the same last name as you
• DON’T list a city more than once if more than one person owns your work there

Example of good formatting for a collection list

Collections: Private collection, Vancouver BC Private collection, Winnipeg MB Private collection, New York NY

Example of bad formatting for a collection list

Collections: Anna van Gogh Theodorus van Gogh Elisabeth van Gogh Theo van Gogh Private collection, Paris France Private collection, Paris France

Finally, if you’re an emerging artist and you still don’t have enough to put on your artist’s CV / artist’s resume

You can think of some creative ways to visually enhance your CV:

• Include an image of your artwork (not usually recommended, but between that and the blank page, one image is better).
• Center your text with large margins. Yes, this is cheating when you’re writing an essay. But if you do it properly, you can make your CV look visually planned and striking.
• Include an artist statement and CV on one single page. Often these are asked for separately, but if you are able to combine them, it’s a great way to make your presentation look great.

Planning to sell your artwork over email? Presentation and professionalism matters! Check out our templates for managing and emailing your available artworks.  

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Responses to “How to Write an Artist’s CV When You Don’t Have Much (Or Any!) Professional Experience”

I just LOVE your informative post, Fantastic advice!! I’ll be coming to read this again for sure. Have a lovely day. God Bless

Nice. Always a pleasure to read a well thought out post.

Hello, I’m an emerging artist writing a CV. Your article has been very helpful, but I have one question. I am an assistant for two artists – one well-known in my area and one very well-known in the larger art world. I would like to include this work experience in my CV somewhere. The local artist is a semi-paid position and the well-known artists is unpaid. While they are not exactly my mentors, I did take on these positions in order to gain experience in the art world and learn about how to be a professional artist. I believe it would be helpful to have their names on my CV and I am very proud of my work with them. Where would you recommend putting these entries, if at all?

Hi Bekah, I think it’s a great idea to add these to your CV. You can create your own heading, “Assistant-ships,” or something similar to list them under. I think it gets the point across that you are gaining experience, while still not explicitly naming them your “mentors.”

Definitely include this! I would put it under the heading ‘Professional experience’ or even just a sentence saying something along the lines of:

Assistant to: Damien Hirst (2004 – present), Anthony Gormley (2002)

A lot of young and emerging artists do not have a lot of exhibitions to add to their CVs but it is worthwhile remembering art-related work (paid or unpaid) which was not directly related to your own practice, such as assisting other artists, or invigilation, volunteering etc.

This is a nice blog you’ve got going! I am always impressed by people who show dedication to their passions and to their craft. Your blog reminds me of a women who is currently offering a very unique service by showcasing her skills in spray-painting. I implore anyone and everyone to click the following link to see what she has to offer 🙂

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Hey thank you very much for this help, i really need it! Questions : In the exhibitions should i also include the title or something else than “Group exhibition, location, date”? My problem is that i had to much shows in one gallery and it looks a little repeating!! Thanks 😀

Hi, it’s good to include the title of the show if there is one. Cheers!

Very helpful for the self-taught emerging artist! Thank you!

How should I include online features? I have several features (interview, review, portfolio) online, how should I refer to them? Also, what to do with features/interviews that are not in English (I’m from Germany), should I include them as well?

Online features are great to include. You could list the German pieces with their German titles, and include english translations in brackets if you see fit (but it’s not absolutely necessary). Cheers!

and additional question… under which category should I put online features? bibliography, publications or something like ‘selected press’? thanks for your help.

so glad i found this!! 🙂

just a question though what do you think of the more creative resumes/cvs? the ones where it practically looks like an artwork itself?

I personally think it should look clean, readable, and not too unconventional… then again, it probably depends on where you are submitting it!

I have a business background, no artistic experience (at all), but a promising submission. What should I do?

Very good. I enter a lot of juried online art shows. How does one show these on a CV. Checking my blog kenben.org will give you examples in my about me.

Thank you for the great ideas for us beginners. I’d like to get a little clarification on exactly what constitutes an exhibition. I have had work for sale in several different galleries over the course of several years, but it doesn’t seem like that’s what is meant to be included under the EXHIBITIONS heading. I have had my work in a few short term shows (not in galleries), and I’ve also just been juried in to show my work at an important gallery.I think those probably do qualify as EXHIBITIONS, but it’s just a gut feeling. Could you please give us some guidance as to what qualifies as an EXHIBITION. For example, does it have to be in a “gallery” or does a bunch of artists getting together to put on a show count? Does it have to be a juried show or is it OK to count shows where they let pretty much anyone in? Does it need to be short term in nature, like a week or a month, or does having your work in a gallery for five years count, and if so, what do you list for the date of the exhibition?

Whenever your work is exhibited, that is an exhibition. I don’t know if there is one true definition, but that’s what I think! I also think it is an acceptable rule of thumb for your CV.

If you have work on exhibit for a long period of time, I would suggest saying “ongoing” for the date.

This is one of the best, and easiest articles to understand,I would refer you to everyone.Thank you

Thank you for such awesome and informative articles! I was invited to apply for an artist in residence program (it was invitation only), and I was a finalist but I did not get the residency. I feel proud to be invited, should I add this to my resume?

Certainly you should! Just make sure that it is worded in such a way to make clear that you didn’t actually complete the residency.

This is super helpful, thank you! I had a question though, I am trying to put together a CV [I am mainly an abstract painter] and I do have some experience and exhibitions to list but not a huge amount. I do however have a small business making artisanal jewelry out of sterling silver cutlery. Through this I have had some press and many juried shows. Should I include some of that in my CV as well? Or just focus on the painting side?

Hi Katelyn, I would include this on your CV, as it is part of your artistic experience. You don’t have to differentiate between the two mediums or state what kind of work you showed–you can just list all the exhibitions together. Likewise with press. Cheers!

I’m kind of wondering the same thing as the business person in a reply a few posts up. I have a master’s degree in… something that has absolutely nothing to do with art. I never took any formal art classes beyond high school, either. What I’ve learned about art is from (lots of) reading and doing. I feel like I’m creating a body of work that is relevant and has plenty to say, but my only meaningful exposure is a reasonably active Instagram account that is slowly, but steadily gaining followers. (I have a dA account, too, but that one’s not getting much action.) Moreover, for personal reasons that I’d rather not get into here, I want to remain as anonymous as possible for now, and I would really like my work to just speak for itself. Am I just screwed, or do you have any ideas on how I should go about this?

Thanks very much. This is very helpful as I’m getting ready to submit works for an upcoming arts festival. I’m using your ideas of naming instructors and private collections, A question – I am self-taught, however, I grew up in a family of artists and writers, such that being around paint and other materials is second nature to me. I also plan on enrolling in school with the goal of obtaining a studio art degree from a local college. Should I somehow note these points on the bio/CV? Thanks. JLW

Hey… Thank you for this great article. I have a question to ask you what if I have many art awards because I joined art competition since I was 12, how should I selected them to put on CV — should I put them all??– or only the award I got recently??– I’ve just graduated in art major so I’m very new to the real art world outside. Thanks again.

Should I select only the 1st prize or was a winner?

Hello, I would suggest putting the most recent awards, as well as the largest or the ones with the most exposure. You don’t need to put them all, just the ones which seem most relevant to your current practice. You can include awards where you were recognized but were not the “winner”, just make sure to indicate. Cheers!

This is extremely helpful. Thank you.

Echoing the long line of thank yous for this and a quick question – I’m primarily trying to promote myself as a painter and illustrator, however I work full time as essentially a creative director and graphic designer and while I think I probably should include it because it’s in a creative field and it relates, I’m not sure how much to include and what to talk about.

This is very helpful! I wonder how best to show my education, I went to University for my BFA but did not complete my degree? I got extremely close but had to stop for financial reasons.

hi there all again…. Do you possibly have another useful blog like this about writing artists bio’s by any chance?!

Thanks for the idea, this could happen in the future! Cheers.

Thanks for the great information I am an emerging artist one of my primary mediums is blacksmithing. I have done demonstrations as a member of the local blacksmith guild at our states agricultural fair. How would I reflect this on my CV. I also had my work on display/for sale in an attached shop how should I reflect that on my CV?

Hi Colin, You could make a heading called “Demonstrations” and include the info about the agricultural fair. If the works were on display, you could list that under “Exhibitions”. Cheers!

Hello there! This blog is wonderful and this post has been most helpful. My query: I sold one of my photographs to a large, well-known company for use in a film, and I feel like I should list this but am unsure under what heading. Thanks for your help and time in replying.

Hi Kate, You could list this under “Collections” as the well-known company is now the owner of the work. Side note: since the piece was in a movie, it’s not a secret that they own it. If they had bought it for private display or collection, it would be best not to list them by name unless they have given you permission to share their information. Cheers.

Many thanks for such an interesting and informative article. However I have one critisism, in that I do find it frustrating where some questions have gone unanswered, particularly as they are probably often very relevant to many readers.

Hello there,

This blog post has been very useful indeed, thank you. I have a question relating to private commissions, I am a digital artist so technically no physical copy of the end product exists and as such, I’m unsure as to whether I could list them under “collections”. I have done some commercial pieces recently but most of my work is commissioned for personal use – how would you list this kind of experience on a CV?

Thanks again!

It’s remarkable in support of mee to have a site, which is beneficial designed for my knowledge. thanks admin

Thanks so much for this. It was a life saver! I am president of my local art guild. Is that ok to have on the CV and if so, where should I put it? Thanks!

[…] From the blog, The Practical Art World: […]

[…] How to Write an Artist’s CV When You Don’t Have Much (Or Any!) Professional Experience. […]

Wao! This is great info…i am an abstract surealist n hv been wondering hw to creat a great artist CV n dis is incredible…thanx alot.

Hi there, I was wondering if its appropriate to put in the pictures of the works you had done for an artist in your portfolio. I have been working for an artist and had been doing many of his art works. Do let me know before I request him for pictures of the work. thank you

thank you for this

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Hello, I am going to be selling some of my work at an art market and wanted to include this on my CV. Where would this fit under? Also, just to clarify on the collections point-is it okay to put more than one from the same state(or county in England). Thank you very much.

[…] You might be an emerging artist, fresh out of school, or a late-comer to the art world with little to show for yet. In this case, take a look at this page. […]

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What if my only exhibition was a senior show in highschool? And I have attended two colleges, do I put both of them in?

Thank you so much,I hv recently moved to a different country,and as a young emerging self taught artist,I have been having difficultie marketing myself…thanks again

Thank you for this– it’s so useful. One question: Can I include favorable reviews in my CV?

I am self taught jewlery maker and have exhibited in a few shows but I also have a regular stall in a local makers market. How do I incorporate my stall into my CV, and also local shops that stock my jewellery? Should I? and what about previous stockists?

Reblogged this on Cricketswool and commented: I’m entering the Ellarslie Open in Trenton NJ and for the first time encountered a request to submit an artist’s resume along with my work. This led me to a post on The Practical Art World. I highly recommend this blog and especially this post to all artists.

hi there, thank all of you very much to share your experience. i’m a self-taught painter and not much art training. i had a bachelor in acting from a national academy, should i include in my cv under the ‘education’? thank you a lot in advance best regards berkeley

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I have an interesting situation. I started out as a fine artist in the 80’s. Then I veered off and became very successful as an illustrator. Then I took off a decade to be an actor. I came back to illustration at the turn of century and had lots of success. About four years ago, I quit illustration and came back to fine art. I instantly won a bunch of awards at high profiles competitions. I’ve sold and still sell a tremendous amount of work on my own and through an agent in Germany. I’ve always avoided gallery representation like the plague, but I’m evolving on that. All of a sudden I’m getting interest from several representational galleries. I’m given speaking engagements and workshops. And everyone wants a CV. Problem is that though I’ve been doing art for a long time, my CV doesn’t look like much and I can’t remember much of my winnings and exhibitions over the years, let alone who owns my work. Should I be putting in my illustration accolades too? I feel a bit like a fraud. What should I do?

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You have no idea how this helped me! Your post was so easy to follow and had such good examples. Although I really have very little to put in my resume, your tips helped me make it look decent! Thank you!

Very helpful & the comments too. Thank you for adding that part about “guerilla art”. As a new installation artist (I’ve had two exhibitions now!) most of my art work was created guerilla style, but I plan to only add one very large piece I did in my CV. As you say, don’t OVER play it. Thank you again for this. Writing the CV is putting a knot in my stomach. You helped me break it down & simplify it. I think I can actually manage it now. 🙂

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Although I havent had any exhibits, I have participated in some Holiday sales at an art museum and a design studio. Do those count or is it not a good thing to include? If it’s not a bad idea to include them, where should they go?

Thanks! I used this artcile to fashion together a decent looking CV for an artist that hasn’t had a lot of exposure yet

[…] via How to Write an Artist’s CV When You Don’t Have Much (Or Any!) Professional Experience […]

Thanks for the great advice! I am an emerging artist with a very short CV but I was wondering how I would present artwork that was sold through a corporate art consulting firm to a hotel. Would I put this under collections and name the hotel? Or would I name the art consulting firm that bought the work?

thanks for the advice! really helped me out when i was writing my own. I’d just like to add that entering into art prizes where all entries are exhibited is a great way to boost your exhibition section

Thanks for the helpful advice! Here’s a question: I mostly make a living with graphic design/illustration but am submitting my CV as required for a fine arts exhibit (I’m a painter). Should I briefly mention my graphics/illustration?

[…] CVs for artists without much experience from The Practical Art World.com […]

Hey Great article.. relay good for all the freshers who are starting there corporate life. Thank You.!!

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Great article! It has been very helpful. I do have one question though. Does the “do not list the same city more than once in collections section” rule of thumb still apply if you are using the collector’s actual names (as opposed to the generic “Private Collection”)?

[…] about. While this is an older post from thepracticalartworld.com it does a good job of addressing new artists with little to no art references Write an Artist Statement: This is your opportunity to tell the gallery about your excitement in […]

[…] How To Write An Artist’s CV When You Don’t Have Much (Or Any!) Professional Experience […]

My CV is so short and can’t even cover a paper.. I’m pretty desperate,, what can I do ?

I like many commentators above had a long hiatus in my painting career to work full time as a designer to support my family. Whats the best way to explain this?

Hi. Thank you so much for this. I have a question. I am currently a BFA student finished with my 2nd year. I don’t have much outside experience. I don’t have a single exhibition to my name apart from my group exhibition held in school which was part of my exam (much like how BFA has a degree show). Can I include that in my CV? Also, one my works was gifted to the school so how should I include that? Or should I not include that?

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[…] Your artist’s CV is integral to most grant applications. It is a way for the grant adjudicators to easily review your professional artistic history. Having your artist’s CV up to date and professionally formatted helps you present yourself in the best light possible. If you’re an emerging artist and you’re having trouble with filling out your CV, check out How To Write An Artist’s CV When You Don’t Have Much (or Any!) Experience. […]

Thank you for this very informative post – sooo helpful!

One question related to another poster: I have experience with theatre performances and short film production but am now working with ceramics. Should I list the film (commissioned for curriculum) and performances under “Related Artistic Experience”, or….?

[…] more: HOW TO CRAFT A POWERFUL ARTIST RESUME, How to Write an Artist’s CV When You Don’t Have Much (Or Any!) Professional Experience and How to write an Artist’s Resume that stands […]

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How to write an artist statement: dos, don’ts, and what you can achieve

If you’re reading this article about how to write an artist statement, there is probably an important deadline on your horizon that requires you to write this description of what you do and how you do it as an artist. Usually, statements are a requirement along with a resume and portfolio for grants, exhibitions, masters, and degrees.

But why is writing an artist statement a synonym for stress, hours looking at a blank page, and clocks ticking faster than they usually do? Well, most artists spend so much time immersed in their craft, that when it comes to putting it in words the task can be daunting.

No one knows what you do, how, and why you do it better than you. Writing an artist statement is just a matter of putting in order your ideas and opening yourself to share your work with others as you will learn with this guide.

To write an artist statement describe what you do, how, and why.

What is an artist statement?

Before actually starting to write it, you need to have a clear idea of what an artist statement is. This short text, divided into two to three paragraphs, is a description of your artwork, what its creation involves, and the motivation and inspiration behind it. A proper artist statement should address the questions that arise when the observer engages with your work and adds context to it.

As art is subjective, an artist’s statement works like the prism from which the public should look at a certain piece, a project, or even your full body of work . An artist statement should be adaptable to certain requirements like where and when you are presenting it. It’s not the same to write a statement needed for a solo exhibition, as writing a statement for an upcoming interview in an art magazine.

  An artist statement can be a complement to a portafolio, resume, and even “About” page. 

What an artist statement isn’t

Sometimes when you don’t know where to start, it helps to know where you shouldn’t. An artist statement is not a resume . If your first draft starts looking like a LinkedIn profile: erase and restart. This is not a list of your academic achievements or artistic accomplishments.

An artist statement is not a retelling of your life story . There are several differences between an artist statement and an artist biography. The latter one, for example, will usually be written in the third person and have details such as your date and city of birth , your first connection to the art world, education, training, and experience, along with your influences or particular point of view about art, the type of pieces you create and even the different stages your body of work has gone through. In summary, an artist statement is NOT a bio that tells the essentials of an artist’s life.

Just to make it clear, an artist statement is not :

– A manifesto

-A short story

– A thesaurus 

-A collection of pompous adjectives about you or your artwork

-A group of generic phrases about art

– An ode to yourself

An artist’s statement should be clear and concise and yet full of personality.

How long should an artist’s statement be?

An artist’s statement should tell the viewer what they need to know about you and your artwork in a simple and concise way. In general, an artist’s statement shouldn’t be longer than 150 to 200 words . To give you an idea: this amounts to around four tweets.

An artist statement should be an adaptable text that can appeal to different readers.

Common types of artist statements

Depending on its recipient and the main objective, there are a few types of artist statements to name:

Short statement

This is a brief description of a certain piece and lets the reader know its main subject, characteristics, and media.

Short project statement

This artist’s statement focuses solely on a certain project, like an exhibition, and describes its particular subjects: themes, medium, and what sparked its creation. It might be closer (in concept and content) to a curatorial statement.

Full-Page Statement

This “longer” statement intends to give the reader a general overview of your body of work, what your recurring themes are, subjects you are interested in, techniques, and methods.

What do you do? The first thing that comes to mind can kickstart your writing process for an artist statement.

Facing the blank page: write like an artist

How exciting and yet intimidating a blank page is! Just as you do with a blank canvas, you need to start somewhere: draw a line , or in this case, write one . It doesn’t have to be the phrase that will redefine art in the 21st century, drop the weight of expectation s. Just write a line that says something about what you do.

There is no other person in the world with your identity and experiences . Two artists can be put inside the same box because they work with a similar theme or use the same medium, but the truth is each one of them is unique. Sometime s telling others what you do and what makes your art one-of-a-kind can be scary because it asks for a certain vulnerability and, at the same time, a recognition of your value and expertise. But there are some little exercises you can do to get you into writing:

• Fill in a page with everything, literally, everything you could say related to your work and why you do it. It’s freestyle! Say it however you feel like it and then start editing.
• Write a paragraph talking about your art as it was another person’s body of work.
• Record a voice note explaining your artwork like you would do to a friend and then write it down.
• Change the medium: are you used to writing on your computer? Go back to the trustworthy pen and paper, and vice versa.
• Make a list of the information that you want to mention and then play around with the structure of when and how to say it.
• Question yourself: what makes my work unique? What makes me stand out from others? Write it down.

One last piece of advice: don’t edit while you write. Let your hands go wild typing and once you have finished, start summing up and correcting.

At first sight, an artist’s statement should answer the three w’s: what, how, and why .

What an artist statement should say: what, how, and why

An artist’s statement should answer in just a few sentences the three big W’s about your work: what you do, how you do it, and why you do it . Follow these steps to answer each one of them:

It might seem obvious, but you have to explain exactly what it is that you do because the viewers should know what they are looking at. Is it a landscape painting? A sketch portrait drawing? Or a mixed media piece? Explain it all: medium, subjects, materials, formats, and even what is being portrayed.

Sometimes the “how” is the most important part of this mix. To fully understand the significance or concept of a piece the observer needs to know how an artwork came to be . You went through a full journey to make that piece and that context can refocus how it’s going to be seen.

What was your purpose? There was something that motivated you to create a certain piece or project. Open a window to your world: what are you saying and why is it important to you to express that message and put it out in the world?

Your artist statement should reflect who you are: it should sound like you!

Once these three main points are clear you can play around with the structure. What comes first? What is going to be the killer closing line? Well, that’s your choice! The text should reflect your style and personality , even your humor and vulnerability, and how you approach your craft and passion.

And before you hit the “send” or “publish” button read your text and make sure it follows these essential tips to write an artist statement:

– Use an active voice.

-Don’t write it in the third person.

– The phrase “the artist” should not be present (pun intended).

-Refer to yourself in the first person instead.

-Avoid worldly sentences.

-Read the text and see how it sounds.

– Correct spelling and style , and pass the text through a grammar checker.

-Share your text with a colleague, a friend, or a mentor and ask them for their opinion.

-Proofread your text.

– Proofread your text one more time, just to be sure.

Your artist statement could “welcome” visitors to your 3D online show. Example: a virtual exhibition of Paolo Petrucci’s work.

Making the best out of it: when and how to use your artist statement

When it comes to your artist statement it is better to have one ready at all times : either the first draft for a particular work or a general one that gives an overview of your body of work. Why? That way you won’t be battling with deadlines for grants, scholarships, a teaching position, or a submission for an exhibition. You’ll have a “base” artist statement that you can adapt according to the occasion and particular requirements.

But is that all you can do with your artist statement? Not today! If you want to promote and sell your work as an independent artist , your artist statement is a great way to introduce your work to potential customers , retailers, media outlets, and even something to add to the description of a piece in an art marketplace to make it stand out.

If you have taken the lead and created a 3D digital gallery for a particular project, there is a creative way to enhance that experience for the viewer . Take for example ArtPlacer’s virtual exhibitions, your artist statement could work both as a description or as a welcome text for the viewer , or you could add it to a wall like you would do with an image or video and turn it into an actual visual statement. Sign up to ArtPlacer’s 7-day free trial and test it!

Now that you know how to create an artist statement and what to do with it, put your vision into words and give your audience a more informed and richer way to look at your artwork. 

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How to write an Artist's Resume that stands out

Very helpful, thanks!! Kirk

I appreciate the article, it helped. Dass

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How to Write an Artist CV & Resume

Writing an effective artist CV and resume is hugely important to pursue job and career opportunities as an artist.

This video explains in great detail what should or should not be included in an artist CV.

Tips on how to format a CV differently depending on where you are sending your CV for review.

Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Lauryn Welch.

Video Walkthrough

• Resumes are usually 1 page, and used for job applications
• CVs (Curriculum vitaes) are many pages long, and are used for gallery exhibitions and academic appointments.
• Tailor your resume/cv in the context of where you are sending it to.
• For a college level teaching position, emphasizing grants and exhibitions is important.
• For a job, emphasize past positions that are related.
• When you have no professional experience, it’s okay to have a very short resume.
• People can tell right away if you are young and inexperienced, so no need to hide that!
• Avoid padding your resume, skills and jobs that are totally unrelated will just clutter your paperwork.
• “Professional Affiliations” can be vague, generally it’s being part of an artist group, being on the board of an arts organization, etc.
• It’s easy to take for granted all the skills you have when writing a job description.
• Take a step back and recognize all the skills you really have at your job!
• Look at other artists’ resumes to get a sense of what’s out there.
• Look at New American Paintings, you can see tons of artist resumes in one place as a reference.
• Internships are not necessary to do well professionally, many are unpaid and do not provide helpful, relevant experiences in the field.
• For skills, list industry standard software you know well.
• Adobe Premiere is good, but iMovie is not software to list under skills.
• Don’t try to get fancy with graphic design, if anything it’s a distraction from the hard facts people want.
• Keep your resume/CV simple and clean, remove any unnecessary information.
• Depending on where you are in your career, you will choose to include or not include certain exhibition listings.
• It’s good to have exhibitions listed for every year, so it’s clear you are exhibiting regularly.
• If you don’ have certain categories on your resume/CV (collections, commissions, publications, lectures) that’s okay!
• Better to not have a category than to include one just to fill the space.
• Listing your aunt under “Collections” isn’t a good idea.
• Your degree does not have to be in art, and you do not have to go to art school to list it.
• Listing a non art degree can make you stand out!

Need help with your CV or resume?

You can purchase edits from Prof Lieu on your CV, resume, or artist statement.

Prof Lieu’s Tips

I personally get annoyed when people try to add fancy graphics and colors. When you’re reviewing hundreds of resumes, all of those graphics really do get in the way of understanding the information.

In my opinion, a resume with standard formatting, in plain text, is easy to read and gets me the info I need most efficiently.

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Art Student resume example

Are you an art student ready to take the world by storm and show off your incredible talents?

Then you need a resume that paints a perfect picture of your skills, studies, and past art projects.

But if you’re staring at your screen like a blank canvas and you don’t know where to start, this guide is for you. Check out our top tips and art student resume example below.

Resume templates 

Art Student Resume Example

From the Art Student resume example  above, you can see the kind of information your resume will need to include, and the layout you will need to create for an easy-reading experience.

The rest of this guide will show you how to apply this format to your own unique situation, and create a resume that will attract the best employers in your industry.

Art Student resume layout and format

Formatting and structuring your resume correctly is key to landing job interviews.

Your resume needs to look attractive, but more importantly it needs to be easy for recruiters and hiring managers to read and digest the information.

These tips will help you to do that:

Formatting your resume

• Length: As recruiters have a limited amount of time to review each resume they see, keep your resume to 2 pages or less to increase the chances of it being thoroughly reviewed.
• Font & readability : The key to a good resume is readability. To make your resume easy to read, use a clear and uncomplicated font, and break up the text with bullet points and short paragraphs.
• Layout: A visually appealing resume is important, but don’t forget about functionality. To ensure a functional design, use bold headings and borders to organize the page into clear sections.
• Photos: It’s not mandatory to add a photo to your resume in the USA but it if you’re applying to organizations within the creative fields, it can be beneficial.

Quick tip: Achieving a professional look for your resume can be difficult and time-consuming. If you want to create an attractive resume quickly, try our quick-and-easy Resume Builder and use one of their eye-catching resume templates.

Resume layout

Your resume should include the following sections to give recruiters the information they require:

• Name and Contact Details – Place your contact information at the top of your resume to make it easy for employers to get in touch with you.
• Resume Summary – Write a brief introduction at the beginning of your resume that summarizes your most important qualifications and highlights why you are the ideal candidate for the job.
• Skills Section – Include a concise list of your most relevant and impressive skills to quickly grab the attention of potential employers.
• Work Experience – List your previous work experiences in reverse chronological order, including any volunteer work or college placements.
• Education – List your educational qualifications and any professional training you have received.
• Additional Information – This section is optional, but you can include details about your interests, hobbies, or any other relevant information that can make you stand out from other applicants.

Here’s what to add to each section of your Art Student resume.

Contact Details

Make it easy for hiring managers to contact you by adding your contact details to the top of your resume.

Keep this section small to save space and include the following.

• Name and profession title
• Telephone number – Ideally your cell phone so you can answer quickly.
• Location – Add your general location such as LA or New York
• Email address – Use a professional looking one with no nicknames.

You can add a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one – you do not need to include personal details like date of birth or marital status.

Art Student Resume Summary

Start your resume with a bang by adding a powerful summary to the top, summarizing your most valuable skills and experience.

This short paragraph is your chance to show recruiters why you are a perfect fit for the job and encourage them to read more of your resume.

How to create a resume summary that will excite recruiters:

• Keep it short: To capture a recruiter’s attention and keep them interested in your resume, limit your summary to 4-7 lines as you only have a few seconds to make an impression
• Tailor to target jobs: To tailor your resume to your target jobs, it’s essential to closely analyze the job description and include as many relevant skills as possible.
• Avoid using cliches: To capture the attention of recruiters you must provide factual information, such as hard skills and qualifications, and avoid using empty phrases like “ Go-getter who thinks outside the box .”

Art Student resume summary example

What to include in your art student resume summary.

• Summary of your experience: Provide an overview of the type of work you have done in the past and the impact you have made at previous employers.
• Relevant skills: Instantly showcase your suitability for Art Student jobs by including your skills that are highly relevant to them.
• Qualifications: If your job requires any qualifications such as a professional course or a college degree, mention it briefly in your summary.

Quick tip: Choose from hundreds of pre-written summaries across all industries, and add one to your resume with one-click in our quick-and-easy Resume Builder . All written by recruitment experts and easily tailored to suit your unique skillset and style.

Core skills section

Underneath your summary, write a core skills section to make your most relevant skills jump off the page at readers.

It should be made up of 2-3 columns of bullet points of your relevant skills.

Before you do this, look over the job description and make a list of any specific skills, specialisms or knowledge required.

Then, make sure to use your findings in your list. This will paint you as the perfect match for the role.

Best skills for your Art Student resume

Drawing – Sketching, shading, and creating accurate representations of objects or figures.

Painting – Working with various painting mediums, such as acrylics, oils, or watercolors, and creating visually appealing compositions.

Sculpting – Shaping and manipulating various materials, such as clay or wood, to create three-dimensional artworks.

Digital Art – Using digital art tools and software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, to create digital illustrations or designs.

Color Theory – Utilizing knowledge of color mixing, harmony, and contrast to create visually engaging artworks.

Composition – Arranging elements within an artwork to create a balanced and visually appealing composition.

Perspective – Accurately depicting three-dimensional space and creating the illusion of depth in artworks.

Art History – Maintaining familiarity with art movements, artists, and styles throughout history, providing a foundation for artistic inspiration and context.

Critical Thinking – Analyzing and evaluating artworks, techniques, and concepts, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of art.

Creativity – Thinking innovatively, generating unique ideas, and expressing individual artistic vision.

Quick tip: Our quick-and-easy Resume Builder contains thousands of in-demand skills for every profession that can be added to your resume in seconds – saving you time and greatly improving your chances of landing job interviews and getting hired.

Work experience

Congratulations on successfully capturing the recruiter’s interest with your attention-grabbing summary! Now, it’s time to showcase your workplace impact by providing a detailed list of your previous job experiences and achievements.

If you have significant experience, consider highlighting the most recent few years to condense this section. However, for junior job seekers, it’s essential to include as much relevant experience as possible, including volunteering and school work placements.

Structuring your jobs

Resume job descriptions contain lots of information, so its crucial to structure them well.

Use the structure below to ensure hiring managers can consume the information easily.

Job outline

Begin each job with a short summary of who the organization is, where you sit within it, and what the main goal of your position is.

Key responsibilities

Next, write up a punchy list of your daily duties and responsibilities, using short bullet points.

Describe how you apply your skills and contribute to the running of the employer’s business – highlighting skills which are applicable to your target jobs.

Key achievements

Round off each job by adding some impressive achievements you made in the role.

Anything you’ve done that has made a big impact on your employer will make a good impression, think; generating revenue, saving costs, or improving a product.

Quantify your achievements with number where possible e.g. “reduced call wait time by 10%”

Example job for Art Student resume

Participate in community art projects to gain real-world experience and further enhance professional development, for a leader in the world of visual arts featuring undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with peers, lecturers, and other industry professionals in critiquing sessions and group projects, contributing unique perspectives to creative endeavors.
• Continuously hone skills by exploring various mediums, techniques, and styles with different as paint, clay, online tools, or mixed media.
• Gather inspiration through studying contemporary trends and discovering new theories.
• Apply critical thinking and analytical competencies to product meaningful artwork with a strong conceptual foundation.

Quick tip: Create impressive job descriptions easily in our quick-and-easy Resume Builder by adding pre-written job phrases for every industry and career stage.

Education section

Towards the bottom of your resume, add your education section.

Here you should list your professional qualifications and academic record, such as high school diplomas or college degrees.

If you have lots of work experience, you can keep this section brief (because recruiters will be more interested in your career. If you have little/no experience then you should bulk this section up with plenty of detail.

Additional information

The bottom of your resume is a place to add any “additional info”

Any other info that didn’t fall into any of the previous sections can be added here.

If you have hobbies that are related to your profession or any awards or publications – add them here.

Writing your own winning Art Student resume

Crafting a strong Art Student resume can be a daunting task, but implementing the steps outlined above will significantly increase your chances of securing multiple interview opportunities.

Good luck with your job search!

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How To Write A Resume In 7 Steps (With Examples)

• How To Write A Resume
• Resume Skills Section
• Resume Objective Section
• Career Objective Section
• Resume Reference Section
• Resume Summary Section
• Resume Summary Example
• Resume Interests Section
• Address On Resume
• Relevant Work Experience
• Anticipated Graduation Date On Resume
• Education Section On Resume
• Contact Information On Resume
• Statement Of Qualifications
• How To List Publications On Resume
• Accomplishments On Resumes
• Awards On Resume
• Dean's List On Resume
• Study Abroad On Resume

Resumes are still the most important document in your job search . Generating a professional and interesting resume isn’t easy, but there is a standard set of guidelines that you can follow. As hiring managers usually only spend a short time looking over each resume, you want to make sure that yours has a reason for them to keep reading.

If you’re looking to write a resume, rewrite a resume you already have, or are just curious about resume format, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will go through the steps to writing an excellent resume, as well as offering examples for what sections of the resume should look like.

Key Takeaways:

A resume is a short document that details your professional history in a way that tailors your experience and skill set for the particular job you’re applying for.

Resumes follow a few standard formatting practices, which hiring managers and recruiters expect to see.

Highlighting your work experience, skills, and educational background with relevant keywords can help you get past applicant tracking systems and into more interviews.

How to write a resume

Writing a resume involves using the proper formatting, writing an introduction, and adding your work experience and education. Stuffing your entire professional life into a single page resume can feel overwhelming, but remember that you’re distilling the relevant parts of your professional experience in order to catch the eye of the recruiter .

Formatting your resume. To start, use a word processor such as Microsoft Word or Google docs. Standard resume formatting calls for:

1 inch margins

10-12 point font

A professional, commonly-used font

Additionally, there are three resume formats that are commonly used. Most people should stick with a chronological resume format , but the combination resume format and functional resume format can be effective for more advanced workers or those who have significant gaps in their resume.

Write a resume header . It doesn’t matter if you have the best resume in the world if the hiring manager can’t contact you. Every single resume should include the following contact information:

Your full name. First and last.

Your phone number. Use a personal phone number, and make sure your voicemail is set up properly.

Your email address. Nothing inappropriate — [email protected] is a safe choice.

Location. City, State, Zip Code is fine, but you can include your full mailing address if you think it’s appropriate.

Your social media (optional). LinkedIn is the obvious one you’d want to include, but make sure your profile looks good. If you have an online portfolio , either on a personal blog/website or on a site like Journo Portfolio , feel free to include that here as well.

Your job title. Also optional, but can be useful for applicant tracking systems.

Resume introduction. You have four options for your resume introduction: a resume objective, summary statement, resume profile, or qualifications summary. For most job-seekers, a resume summary statement is the best choice. Regardless of which resume introduction you choose, avoid first-person pronouns (I/me/my).

Resume objective. A resume objective is the goal of your resume. Since the objective of every resume is to land a job, this is not the most original or impressive opener you can have.

On the other hand, it’s a good choice for an entry-level applicant or someone who is changing career paths . This should be a 1-3 sentence summary of why you’re motivated to get the position you’re applying for.

Who should use a resume objective: Entry-level applicants, career-changers, and recent college graduates.

Resume summary. This is the best opener for most job-seekers. As the name suggests, a resume summary highlights the most salient aspects of your resume.

It should include your current position, how many years of experience you have, some of your biggest achievements, and possibly your career goals. This should be a 1-3 sentence spiel and should include some quantifiable experiences.

Who should use a resume summary: Most job seekers; anyone with quantifiable accomplishments to emphasize and a broad range of skills.

Qualifications summary. A bullet point list (4-6 points is the sweet spot) of your qualifications for the position. It’s best used by applicants going for jobs that require a fixed skill set. It’s not a great choice for entry-level applicants who lack quantifiable achievements.

You’ll notice that a qualifications summary takes up more space than a resume objective or summary, but it can actually save the hiring manager time if you provide a bunch of valuable information right off the top.

Who should use a qualifications summary: Those applying to a job with requirements for certain skills and job-seekers who have a lot of experience in their industry and/or field.

Resume profile. A resume profile is similar to a resume summary, but goes into more detail about your accomplishments at your current or former job, while also telling the reader about your career goals. Think of a resume profile as a section that pulls all the best parts of your work experience section into one place.

Who should use a resume profile: Anyone with significant accomplishments under their belt, expertise in a niche field, or applying to a job in the same industry that they have lots of experience in.

Resume headline. Resume headlines aren’t necessary, but you can include one alongside any of the four types of resume introduction listed above. A resume headline comes between your contact information and the resume introduction of your choice.

Headlines can be used by entry-level applicants and experienced job-seekers alike. The important point is that your headline should be short and to the point. Additionally, you should use title case when writing your resume headline (capitalize words as you would for a book title).

Who should use a resume headline: Any job-seeker who wants to showcase their experience or unique value right off the bat.

Work experience. Your work experience section is the place to let hiring managers know that you have relevant experience that would allow you to handle the job you’re applying for.

If you’re using the chronological resume format, your work experience section would come after your resume summary/objective. In a funcitonal reumse, it would follow your skills section. Either way, work experience should be listed in reverse-chronological order (most recent experience at the top).

When listing your work experience, you should include all of the following information:

Job title. Start by stating the position you held at the company. These are easy cue for the hiring manager to look at and determine whether your past positions would help you succeed at their company.

Company Info. Include the name of the employer, the location where you worked, and perhaps a brief description of the company, if it isn’t a well-known name.

Dates Employed: Use the mm/yyyy format if you want to be sure that most applicant tracking systems (ATS) will pick it up. Whatever format you use for dates, be consistent, or your resume will look sloppy.

Job Description. Don’t just list your job’s responsibilities; hiring managers and recruiters already have an idea of your duties based on the job title. Instead, list your most important and impressive responsibilities/achievements at the job with bullet points. Determine which of these are most relevant for your new role based on the job description.

Ideally, each bullet should be no longer than a single line. However, two lines is acceptable, if used sparingly.

Always start with a strong action verb, followed by a quantifiable achievement and a specific duty. For example: “Developed ad campaigns for clients, increasing sales by an average of 27%.” Each job title should include 3-5 bullet points.

The order that you include this information can be changed around, as long as you are consistent throughout your resume. However, the bullet points detailing your job’s achievements should always be the last item for each entry.

It’s important that you tailor your resume’s work experience section to the job you’re applying for. We recommend reading the job description carefully and highlighting the action verbs in one color and the skills, adjectives, and job-specific nouns in a different color.

Educational background. In almost all cases, your education section should come after your professional history. If you’re a recent college graduate with limited work experience, you may choose to put your educational achievements first.

Like the section on your professional history, educational experiences should come in reverse-chronological order, with your highest level of education at the top. If you have a college degree, you don’t need to add any information about your high school experience. If you didn’t finish college, it’s okay to give a list of what credits you did complete.

Each educational experience can be listed in the following format:

Degree/Program Name College/University Name Dates attended

You don’t need to add anything else, especially if your resume is already impressive enough. But if you’re struggling to fill up the page, or you feel that aspects of your educational experience will help make you a standout, you may consider also including:

Minor. If you think it rounds out your not-exactly-relevant-to-the-job major nicely.

GPA. Only if it was 3.5 or higher. Otherwise, it’s not going to do you any favors to include this.

Honors. Dean’s List, Cum Laude, etc.

Achievements. If you wrote a killer thesis/dissertation that showcases intimate knowledge relevant to the job to which you’re applying, you can include its title and a very brief description.

Extracurricular activities. Only include if they’re relevant. For example, if you’re applying for a management position and you were president of your student government.

Certifications/Licenses. If the job you’re applying for requires/likes to see certain certifications or licenses that you have, you may include them in this section as well.

Skills section. Your impressive skills should be scattered logistically throughout your professional history section, but you should also include a section solely dedicated to highlighting your skill set . Skills can be broken down into two categories:

Hard skills are skills you learn through training and indicate expertise with a technical ability or job-specific responsibility.

Soft skills are your personality traits, interpersonal abilities, and intangible qualities that make you more effective at your job.

Your resume should have a healthy mix of hard and soft skills, as both are essential to job performance. However, since soft skills are harder to prove in the context of a resume, we recommend leaning more toward hard skills. Additionally, whenever you list a soft skill, make sure that it has a correlating item in your work experience section.

For example, if you say you are skilled in collaboration, you should mention a time when a team project was a major success somewhere in your work experience section.

Optional sections. If you still have space left or there’s more you want to show off that doesn’t quite fit in any of the above sections, you may consider adding an additional section covering one or more of the below categories:

Language . Being bilingual is always impressive, and can be included on a resume for any company. Highlight this more if your position involves liaising with international distributors and/or clients. Don’t lie about your proficiency level.

It may be best to not mention it if you’re not particularly proficient speaker . Such as if you took courses in school, or haven’t really managed to gain fluency. It can end up looking like an attempt to inflate your credentials, which you want to avoid.

Volunteer experience . Always a good thing to include. It shows you’re a team player who behaves in a way that promotes the greater good, without thought of personal gain. Especially good for entry-level candidates and those applying for jobs at a non-profit. If you have gaps in your work history, you can also consider including volunteer experiences in your work history section instead.

Personal projects. A personal blog, published works, or a portfolio of your past projects are all good things to include. They show you take initiative, enjoy and take pride in your work, and that you can handle the responsibilities of the job, if relevant.

Certifications/licenses. If you didn’t include these in your education section, this is another good place to list relevant certifications or licenses that you have.

Interests . This is largely just a space filler if your resume is light in other areas. However, if your hobbies are directly related to the job that you’re applying for, it’s not a bad idea to include them. And it might draw a recruiter’s attention if you end up sharing some of the same interests as they do.

If you have several seemingly random items that are valuable, but don’t warrant creating a whole separate section for, you can also make a section called “Additional Experience.” Here you can include all of the above categories in one place. Just make sure that each item is clear and easy for readers to understand.

Resume samples

Now that we have a good idea of how to write a resume, let’s take a look at some example resumes:

Jack Pilgrim Washington , DC 14015 – (555) 444-3333 – [email protected] – www.linkedin.com/jpilgrim Resume Summary Graphic designer with 3+ years of experience creating and implementing promotional materials and social media graphics. Worked with sales and marketing teams to increase inbound calls by 23% YoY through compelling digital media. Adept at planning, managing, and prioritizing multiple deadlines at once, and thrives in fast-paced work environment. Work Experience Creative Designs | Washington, DC Lead Graphic Designer | June 2018-Present Worked with sales and marketing teams to create landing pages, sales proposals, and supporting media elements to drive sales by over $250,000 per quarter Trained, managed, and mentored team of 4 junior designers to fulfill 40+ project orders on a weekly basis Conducted UX research through surveys, usability testing, and data analysis to plan content marketing strategy, driving organic search traffic by 12% Presented proposals, results, and status updates to set of 4-7 clients, ensuring customer satisfaction at or above 95% for 3 years straight Happy Place | Alexandria, VA Junior Graphic Designer | July 2016-May 2018 Translated client needs and branding strategies into design and content strategy, increasing client retention by 22% Reduced project turnaround time by 8% by Utilizing web-based ticket system for completing and archiving finalized pieces Posted digital artwork to network IPTV using web interface to produce high-end info-graphics and other materials Happy Place | Alexandria, VA Marketing Intern | September 2015-July 2016 Assisted marketing team with data collection, analysis, and presentation using Google Analytics Drew up storyboards for new marketing campaigns alongside sales team, increasing brand awareness through social media Wrote 500-1000 word articles to pair with graphical elements on page, leading to a 40% boost in engagement on company website Education Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, Georgia May 2016 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design Skills Adobe Creative Suite Typography HTML/CSS WordPress Collaboration Organization

Allison Neederly Chicago, Illinois , 60007 | (333) 222-1111 | [email protected] | www.linkedin.com/allison.neederly Resume Summary Dedicated customer service representative with 4+ years experience resolving customers’ needs in-person, online, and over the phone. Top achiever at XYZ Inc. with a 100% customer satisfaction rate for Q1 of 2020. Friendly personable, and knowledgable about company’s products and services. Relevant Skills Customer Service Responded to upwards of 200 customer queries daily with XYZ Inc., reducing the average wait time by 56% and increasing customer satisfaction rates by 13% Ability to resolve conflict and create a positive atmosphere for shopping for both new and existing customers through technical proficiency Expert product knowledge and communication skills, and experience training and mentoring new customer service staff Web Chat and Phone Skilled in 3 web chat platforms for helping online customers resolve their queries quickly and accurately Achieved fastest call resolution rate at XYZ Inc., with an average resolution time of under 5 minutes per customer Performed outbound calls for customer satisfaction surveys, as well as writing web-based surveys for 10,000+ customers Troubleshooting Detailed product knowledge allowed for customer technical issues to be resolved at rate within top 5% of all customer service associates at XYZ Inc. Created manual for step-by-step directions for troubleshooting that was implemented for team of 100+ customer service reps Positive attitude took average tech-related negative response from 1/5 stars to 4/5 stars, increasing trust in brands and services Work Experience XYZ Inc. | Philadelphia, PA Customer Service Associate New Look Global | Burlington, VT Junior Customer Service Representative L.L. Bean | Burlington, VT Sales Associate Education University of Vermont | Burlington, VT May 2012 Bachelor of Arts in Humanities

Priya Laghari New York, NY | (222) 111-0000 | [email protected] | www.priyabizdev.com Resume Profile Strategy Development: Grew John Deere’s international sales by 13% by tapping into undeserved countries in Southeast Asia Management: Oversaw a team of managers representing marketing, sales, and product teams. Streamlined collaborative, cross-functional communications through agile and scrum management system CRM: Developed, customized, and implemented new customer relationship management database for accounts totaling over $10M in value Work Experience Business Development Manager 01/2015-Present Microsoft | Redmond, WA Developed product strategies and roadmap for Google AdWords, increasing inbound traffic by 26% YoY Reduced time training on new software by 50% for new and existing employees by implement e-learning programs Spearheaded digital marketing campaign worth $1M that saw a return of 200% in first year by qualifying leads earlier in the sales funnel Regional Sales Manager 11/2012-01/2015 Big Things Inc. | St. Louis, MO Managed territory encompassing 29 regional locations with an annual revenue of approx. $55M Worked with C-level executives to plan business strategies, resulting in 20% reduction in overhead costs Increased client retention by 12% in first year by implementing a CRM approach based on account profiling and elevating levels of relationship selling Account Manager 02/2009-11/2012 Solutions Corp. | Chicago, IL Implemented and developed CRM strategic plans, increasing retention of long-term clients by 22% Maintained 50+ accounts totaling over $35M in value Generated leads through one-on-one consultation via phone inquiries, online check-ins, and meeting office walk-ins Relevant Skills CRM: Proficient with Salesforce, Zoho, and HubSpot; some experience with Keap. Used various CRM software over a decade to successfully manage customer relations and quick to adapt to new software and tools that aid in quality of customer experience. Salesmanship: Negotiated and closed over several deals worth $1M+ and skilled in upselling and cross-selling. Adept at working closely with marketing and product teams to maximize the efficiency of the sales funnel for both inbound and outbound traffic. Presentation: Represented Microsoft Northwest Region at quarterly board meetings, ensuring all stakeholders were kept abreast of new developments and opportunities. Also deliver monthly presentations to big clients and vendors to maintain positive relationship. Data analytics. Expert at integrating data from various analytics platforms, including Google, Microsoft Power BI, and SAP BusinessObjects Education Colgate University | May 2008 MBA Fordham University | May 2006 Bachelor’s Degree in Business

For more resume examples and templates:

Resume examples by job

Google docs resume template

Resume templates

Resume builder

Resume Headers Samples:

Tip : Never put your contact info in the header of your document; some applicant tracking systems might miss it.

For more on how to write a resume header:

Resume Header

Resume Titles

Resume introduction examples

Entry-Level Resume Objective.

Recent graduate with a bachelor’s in Marketing from the University of Virginia seeking an entry-level role in content marketing. Excellent copywriter with 2+ years experience editing content as a member of the UVa Writing Center.

Career Change Resume Objective.

Eager to apply 7+ years of experience with customer success management to make successful outbound B2B calls, deliver customized business solutions to new and existing customers, and provide expert product knowledge in the role of Account Manager for XYZ Inc.

Example Resume Summary Statement.

Accountant with over 8 years of experience in the medical industry. Adept at advising on management of cash deficits, reconciling departmental accounts, and creating new accounts and codes. Coordinated invoice preparation system for ABC that reduced contractor overhead by 19% YoY.

English teacher with a love of language and 6 years of experience teaching high school students. Developed new curriculum that boosted freshman reading comprehension scores by 12% and created after school book club for AP Lit class, resulting in 100% of participating students achieving a 5 on the AP Lit test.

Example Qualifications Summary.

Executive assistant with 5+ years experience helping maintain efficiency in an office of 25 employees Communicated directly with internal and external stakeholders, helping Senior Vice President manage projects worth $5M+ Proactively managed office schedules, identifying and prioritizing changes to ensure client satisfaction Recognized in a company of 500 for “Outstanding Achiever” in May 2019

Example Resume Profile.

Detail-oriented IT Specialist with 4 years of experience overseeing and improving the infrastructure of IT systems. Adept at building and running troubleshooting systems and testing services. Decreased security risk by 47% through continual optimization, while also improving the speed of client portal by 22%. Excellent communicator both internally and for client-facing discussions. Achieved 98%+ customer satisfaction ratings through weekly and monthly check-ins with accounts valued cumulatively at $500,000.

Entry-Level Resume Headline.

Bilingual College Graduate with 80 WPM Typing Speed and Tutoring Experience

Experienced Resume Headline.

Business Development Specialist with 6+ Years Experience Scaling Start-Up Tech Teams

For more on resume introductions:

Resume objective statement

Resume summary statement

Resume summary statement examples

Qualifications summary

Sample resume work experience sections

Work Experience XYZ Industries | Seattle, WA Marketing Associate | May 2019-Present Delivered weekly presentations to client-base to communicate brand messaging, increasing client retention by 11% Served as liaison between marketing and product teams, resulting in projects finishing 2 weeks early, on average Leveraged Excel skills to create and maintain spreadsheet to track consumer insights, emergent trends, and inform decisions of marketing team through competitive analysis Managed team of 5 contractors to juggle multiple priority projects simultaneously, never missing a deadline Initiated an affiliate referral program that PR team went on to turn into a revenue-generating stream valued at $30,000 annually ABC Corp | Seattle, WA Marketing Intern | September 2018-May 2019 Developed, maintained, and processed 20+ digital consent forms and distributor forms Worked collaboratively with a team of 10 marketing professionals, closely aligning our goals with the PR team Provided data analysis using Google Analytics and performed keyword research to increase blog traffic by 56% over six months Answered up to 50 customer queries by phone and email each week

For more on building the perfect resume work experience section:

Resume work experience section

First resume (no experience)

Examples Of Education Resume Sections

Graduated recently from a 4-year program.

Western Illinois University | Macomb, Illinois May 2020 Bachelor of Arts in Sociology | Minor in Psychology 3.95 GPA magna cum laude Dean’s List all semesters

Two degrees.

Fordham University | Bronx, New York April 2016 Master of Chemical Engineering Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, New York April 2014 Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Anticipated graduation date (not yet graduated).

DePaul Univeristy | Chicago, Illinois Bachelor of Arts in History – Degree anticipated May 2021 Current GPA: 3.8

Older job seeker (graduated 10+ years ago).

University of Chicago | Chicago, Illinois Bachelor of Business Administration

High school graduate (no college degree).

Johnston High School 2016-2020 Head of Computer Club

More on crafting the perfect resume education section:

Education resume section

GPA on resume

Dean’s list

Magna cum laude

Examples Of Skills For Resume

Examples of hard skills include:

Examples of soft skills include:

Here’s more information on how to incorporate skills into your resume:

Resume skills section

Hard skills

Soft skills

Top skills for professionals

Skills-based resume

Resume writing FAQ

What is a resume?

A resume is a one to two-page document that focuses on professional experience, past achievements, education and certifications, and specific skills tailored to the job you’re applying for.

Almost every job application requires a resume, and hiring managers use them as a first impression in determining which applicants get a shot at an interview.

Whether you’re fresh out of college or have 30 years of professional experience, this guide should help craft a resume that stands out from the crowd and get you one step closer to landing your dream job.

What is the format for writing a good resume?

Most people will want to use a chronological or reverse-chronological resume format. This format is compatible with most applicant tracking systems (ATS) and is easy for employers to read. Additionally it helps highlight your experience, which helps prove your qualifications.

How far back should a resume go?

A resume should go back no further than 10 to 15 years. However, it is important that all your information is relevant. Therefore, do not include job experience that is irrelevant to your application, even if it’s fewer than 10 years old. Save that information for later discussions.

Should you personalize your resume for each job?

Yes, you should personalize your resume for each job you apply to. Many recruiters use ATS now, which will search for keywords in a resume and reject those that don’t have them. That means that the skills you choose to highlight as well as your opening, such as your resume summary, should be altered to suit each job you apply to.

You don’t need to rewrite the entire resume for each job, but it does show attention to detail and initiative to make sure that your resume is customized. It also makes it more likely that you’ll get past the first step of the process.

State of New York Department of Labor – Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications

Harvard University – Create a Resume/CV or Cover Letter

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Matthew Zane is the lead editor of Zippia's How To Get A Job Guides. He is a teacher, writer, and world-traveler that wants to help people at every stage of the career life cycle. He completed his masters in American Literature from Trinity College Dublin and BA in English from the University of Connecticut.

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Ex-Google recruiter’s 2 best tips for writing an effective resume: ‘All it needs to focus on is your impact’

W hen it comes to your resume, there are practices you'll want to weed out. Don't write run-on sentences under your job titles. Don't write general, task-oriented phrases that don't give a sense of what you achieved in the role. Don't include a line stating what role you're applying for.

None of these will help impress upon a recruiter why you're right for the job and why they should move ahead with your candidacy.

But there are phrases you'll want to include that could help you catch a hiring manager's attention. Here's what ex-Google recruiter and current CEO of salary data company FairComp , Nolan Church, recommends.

'All it needs to focus on is your impact'

The No. 1 rule Church would relay to jobseekers is to focus on how they've improved the business. "All it needs to focus on is your impact," he says about your resume. Think about clear and specific accomplishments that outline that.

Some industries make that easier than others. For example, "marketing has core metrics," he says. "And it typically boils down to leads, opportunities, impressions on the website." It lends itself to quantifying your impact by saying, "I helped double impressions on the website," for example. Think about the metrics that measure success in your role, and feature those.

"If you don't have an individual metric, then you need to have a team metric," he says. He gives an example from his own work in management saying he'd write, "my team improved candidate experience by X amount of points."

And make sure to include your best accomplishment at the top. "The first sentence needs to be the most impactful thing that I did," he says.

'You're not allowed to use more than one keyword in a sentence'

Recruiters often talk about using keywords in your resume, or words that appear in the job description and are especially relevant to the role. Use those, says Church, but don't overdo it.

A sentence that has "multiple adjectives and keywords that show up either in LinkedIn searches or on the job description" can ultimately sound like nonsense, or "word salad," he says. You want your resume to reflect your ability to communicate clearly and concisely as well.

For each impact statement you make, "include the most important word," he says as a rule of thumb, adding that "you're not allowed to use more than one keyword in a sentence."

"For example, if we're talking about machine learning" as a skill you excelled in on the job, he says, "you don't need to say 'machine learning', and 'AI' and 'LLM'" all in one sentence. Choose the one that will pack the most punch in describing your accomplishment.

Want to land your dream job in 2024?  Take  CNBC's new online course How to Ace Your Job Interview  to learn what hiring managers are really looking for, body language techniques, what to say and not to say, and the best way to talk about pay.

Plus, sign up for   CNBC Make It's newsletter  to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.

Why the US government is trying to break up Live Nation Entertainment – a music industry scholar explains

Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Texas at Arlington

Disclosure statement

David Arditi does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

University of Texas Arlington provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.

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The U.S. Justice Department, along with 29 states and the District of Columbia , have filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment , the parent company of Ticketmaster.

The lawsuit alleges that Live Nation “engaged in a variety of tactics to eliminate competition and monopolize markets,” which, according to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, has allowed the entertainment giant to “ suffocate the competition ” through its control of ticket prices, venues and concert promotion.

In response, Live Nation said that the antitrust suit “ignores everything that is actually responsible for higher ticket prices, from increasing production costs to artist popularity, to 24/7 online ticket scalping that reveals the public’s willingness to pay far more than primary tickets cost.”

The Conversation U.S. asked David Arditi, a University of Texas at Arlington sociologist and former professional drummer who has researched the livelihoods of musicians, to explain what’s behind the government’s decision to intervene in the ticket-selling business.

What is the government accusing the company of doing?

The government alleges that Live Nation Entertainment’s sprawling business model is choking off competition and that the company is punishing venues that rely on other ticketing services.

Live Nation, the country’s largest concert promoter, and Ticketmaster, the nation’s biggest ticket seller, had long been major players in the music industry. After the Justice Department approved a merger in 2010 between the two enterprises, the new company, Live Nation Entertainment, became far more powerful.

Live Nation Entertainment now controls many of the functions associated with putting on a concert: It owns venues, promotes concerts , books acts, produces shows, manages artists, sells tickets, and more.

Why is the Biden administration doing this?

After winning the 2020 presidential election, President Joe Biden promised to use the Justice Department’s antitrust division to break up monopolies, and that’s exactly what the government is trying to do with Live Nation Entertainment.

The government has been investigating Live Nation Entertainment for decades . But after a botched Ticketmaster presale for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in late 2022 – which made it nearly impossible for fans to buy tickets at face value – government scrutiny intensified.

After that fiasco, fans started contacting their lawmakers, and the U.S. Senate even held a hearing on the issue. In May 2024, the governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, signed a bill into law that will require all ticket sellers in the state to disclose their fees up front.

How did Ticketmaster change the ticket-buying experience?

For much of the 20th century, buying tickets to a show or sporting event required traveling to the venue’s box office.

In 1976, Albert Leffler, who worked at Arizona State University’s performing arts center , and Peter Gadwa, an IT staffer on the same campus, founded Ticketmaster with businessman Gordon Gunn III. The enterprise began to sell tickets a year later. As the company developed, it incorporated new technology to facilitate ticket sales at a growing list of locations outside of the venue where a show would be performed.

Ticketmaster ultimately acquired Ticketron , its predecessor and rival.

As a teen in the 1990s, I remember waiting in line at a local grocery store in Williamsburg, Virginia, to buy tickets to a Dave Matthews Band show at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater. I had to be at the grocery store at 9 a.m. to purchase the tickets, but because it was a local Ticketmaster vendor, it saved me an hourlong trip to the venue.

A couple of years later, Ticketmaster introduced the technology required to give concertgoers the opportunity to purchase tickets online. In 2008, the company permitted paperless entry.

However, that convenience comes with hidden fees. Suddenly, the cost of your US$25 ticket can balloon to $40, with that extra $15 relatively opaque until checkout. These fees used to be a matter of convenience; there wasn’t a fee when you went to the venue to buy a ticket.

Now, the fees are unavoidable and multiplying : There can be a service fee, an order processing charge, a facility charge and a delivery fee.

How has Live Nation affected artists’ ability to make a living?

In my research and my personal experience, I’ve observed a sea change in the roles that live music and recorded music are playing.

From the 1970s to the 1990s, recording artists with medium-sized and large fan bases toured to promote their albums. During that time, these musicians assumed that they would take a loss on their tours; the payoff would come from their ability to sell more albums. Less prominent musicians, meanwhile, have always relied on playing at small venues to earn any income at all.

With the advent of file-sharing services, which later gave way to streaming, recording artists began to rely more on touring revenue to supplement their income , as money earned from album sales fell.

With even the most popular musicians increasingly relying on income from touring, they count more on making sure they earn what is owed to them. Fans feel like they have a close relationship with their favorite musicians and are willing to support them financially.

But when Live Nation Entertainment adds fees or pressures musicians to take a smaller cut of concert revenue, it becomes apparent to fans that they and their favorite musicians are getting a raw deal.

What will happen moving forward?

The government will seek a jury trial to determine if Live Nation Entertainment is a monopoly. If the company is found to be violating the Sherman Anti-Trust Act , Live Nation Entertainment would be forced to restructure, or even split into two or more separate companies.

Of course, lawsuits take time to resolve, even if the parties settle before entering a courtroom. And any potential ruling could have to go through an appeals process. I believe it’s likely that this dispute won’t be resolved for several years .

Aside from the lawsuit, the Biden administration is working on banning so-called “ junk fees .” Eliminating exorbitant or hidden fees on concert tickets would address some of these problems.

Unfortunately, no matter what happens to Live Nation Entertainment, the music industry as a whole – whether it’s the record labels, streaming services, music publishers or music venues – is trending toward more consolidation and monopolistic behavior .

• Taylor Swift
• US Department of Justice
• Music venues
• Antitrust regulation
• Musical concerts

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