Visual and Digital Arts

Artist Resume

For an artist, one’s work is one’s resume. Portfolios are the most common vehicle for an artist to showcase their work. A resume complements the portfolio by noting where the artist’s work has been exhibited and reviewed. Unlike a resume designed to connect an applicant’s experiences and skills to a particular job, a studio art resume helps market an artist’s work and recognition.

A studio art resume may differ in format and length from a standard resume, offering the writer more creative flexibility. Use of color, shapes, and design can reflect an artist’s tone and imagination.

What to Include

A studio art resume focuses primarily on the work itself. It can include teaching experience as well, in particular when that experience is in a studio situation. Categories after the personal/contact information and Education will vary by person but may include the following:

• Heading with personal and contact information: name, address, email, phone number, portfolio website
• Education and training: School, degree, major, year of graduation
• Solo Exhibitions
• Juried Exhibitions
• Honors and Awards from juried exhibitions
• Media reviews (if applicable)
• Studio teaching experience (if applicable)

Sample Arts Resume

This resume sample is intended to provide a basic idea of what a Studio Art  resume can look like. Your resume may look different. Further, other roles within or adjacent to the visual arts may have unique modifications as well. One of the best ways to figure out how your resume should look is to explore the resumes of other professionals who are working in similar ways to what you intend to do. Many visual artists have webpages with their resumes included. An internet search is an excellent tool to discover resume version in the professional world.

Resume for a “Day Job”

Artists may use a standard resume format when applying for standard positions, 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:

For tips on writing a standard resume, see our Resume How-To Guide.

Cover Letters

It’s a good idea to include a cover letter whenever you send a grant, project proposal, or a portfolio. A cover letter is a general letter of introduction that identifies what you are asking for and what is included in the packet you are sending. Be clear about what you are asking or applying for.  A cover letter can be short, only describing what materials are enclosed and why. A cover letter should never be more than a single page, anymore would inconvenience your reader. A cover letter should set a pleasant tone and introduce the reader to your project and/or practice and your reason for contacting them. Generally a cover letter has three parts: the opening, the middle, and the closing.