No matter where you are in your artist’s career – just starting out or highly established – an artist’s resume is essential. Once you have a resume, you can begin to build your brand, and seek representation for world-renowned galleries and collectors like Charles Saatchi.
With this in mind, here are ten things that you absolutely must include on your artist’s resume.
- Your name in bold
Always make sure that your name is in bold at the top of the page and easy to read. After all, how else will the employer know who else the resume belongs to?
- Contact information
Though this might also seem obvious, you might be surprised how often people forget to attach any contact information to their resume. An email address and phone number should be sufficient unless otherwise stated for the recruiter to be able to get in contact with you.
- Shows, competitions, and exhibitions
Detail any shows, competitions, or exhibitions that you have shown at or entered, and if you have won any awards. If you haven’t already, entering things like this can help you to build and develop your portfolio.
- Membership to any art societies
A membership to a reputive art society can be a great addition to your resume. It can also be beneficial to you as many art societies have relationships with venues and events that might be willing to display your work.
- Links to any press releases (even if you wrote it yourself)
Another thing you must include on your resume is any press releases or write ups about your work or exhibitions you displayed at. If you don’t have any press releases – then write one yourself and submit it to every newspaper and magazine in your area.
- List all arts education
As with any traditional resume, you should list all arts education. However, if you are self taught this might not be possible. If this is the case, list any courses, workshops, or lessons you have taken, even if you didn’t get a certificate.
- Mention other relevant experience
Have you done any jobs that were similar? This includes any paid or unpaid work, internships, or volunteering opportunities. Mention all other experience that you feel might be relevant.
- Brief description of your portfolio
Once you have developed a portfolio, determine a cohesive theme that runs throughout the pieces. Include a brief description of this in your resume, in case you cannot submit your entire portfolio as part of an application.
- An artist’s statement
Including an artist’s statement in your resume can be useful as long as you keep it brief! It should essentially be a long form of your typical job title or statement summarising your specialisation.
- Tailored cover letter explaining any potential issues
If you are just starting out – don’t panic! You might include a cover letter alongside your resume that explains any employment gaps or how your previous experience and knowledge might be accepted in lieu of work experience.
And there you go – ten things that you must include in your artist’s resume, no matter how far you are in your career. Good luck and happy job hunting.
2018 ·