How to Create a Professional Resume for Artists

As an artist, your resume is your chance to showcase your unique skills and experience to potential partners like galleries or designers and show you credibility to buyers. Many artists ask what exactly is a resume for artists. Let me tell you this, it is not a one page, 12 point font, times new roman document that they taught you in college. It is a well-crafted, well-written, well-designed list of your achievements in the art world.

Why do you need one?

Shows and galleries might request one, so it is helpful to have one ready. But it also builds credibility and a well-crafted resume can help you stand out in a competitive field and land the opportunities you deserve. In this guide, we'll explore the key elements of a successful artist resume and provide tips for creating a standout document.

Choose the Right Format.

A professional resume for artists should first be formatted correctly to best showcase your skills and experience. There are three main formats to choose from: chronological, functional, and combination.

The chronological format is best for artists with a strong work history. This basically means you list all of your past exhibitions, partnerships, projects, etc. in a chronological list.

The second format, functional, is ideal for those with gaps in their employment or who are changing careers. It still shows the same as above but just groups it by exhibition, partnership, press, etc. and dates are decidedly left out.

Finally, the combination format is exactly what is sounds like, it combines elements of both and is a good choice for artists with a mix of experience and skills. If you have a long list of achievements then it might be nice to both group them and list them chronologically. Choose the format that best suits your needs and highlights your strengths.

Highlight Your Skills and Experience.

A resume for artists must highlight your skills and experience in a clear and concise manner. Whichever format you choose will set you up for success, but you also want to choose phrasing that accurately and best highlights your achievements.

Use bullet points to list your skills and accomplishments, and be sure to include any relevant education or training. If you have worked on any notable projects or exhibitions, be sure to mention them as well and potentially go into detail about your role, how it went, analytics, or whatever information might make you stand out. Remember, your resume should showcase your unique talents and abilities, so don't be afraid to let your personality shine through and feel free to brag a little bit ;)

Keep it Concise and Easy to Read.

Being concise and creating a resume that is easy to read is imperative. No one wants to read some novel about your life history…non offense. Use clear headings and bullet points to organize your information, and avoid using long paragraphs or blocks of text unless necessary to describe the project. Use a simple and legible font, and make sure your resume is visually appealing and fits your brand. Remember, your resume should be easy to scan quickly, so make sure your most important information stands out.

Showcase Your Portfolio.

As an artist, your portfolio is an important asset. Make sure to include a link to your online portfolio or attach a PDF version of your work to your resume if sending in an email. You also can place your resume on your website with a link back to your gallery or shop page.

I️f attaching relevant work to a resume email, choose a selection of your best and most recent work that is relevant to the person that you are contacting. If you have any notable exhibitions, awards, or publications, make sure to include them as well.

Know Where to Share It.

Once you have created your professional artist resume, it’s important to know where to share it. Start by sharing it on your personal website or online portfolio. You should also add it to your portfolio Pdf document when electronically reaching out to galleries and designers. Finally, you will obviously use it when applying to various calls for art because most will require it.

I️ hope this article on the importance of a resume for artists and how to craft and use your own! For more information on topics just like this, listen to the podcast and join the membership waitlist!