Here, on The Artrepreneur Coach blog you will find many articles and references to writing your Artist’s Biography. However, this article is about writing an Artist’s Résumé also referred to as a CV (Curriculum Vitae). I realize many artists may not know what they are or how valuable they are when promoting themselves. For example, when you approach galleries or apply for a grant, they will ask you for one. It’s time I answered the question what is an Artist’s Resume or CV and how to prepare it. This article offers a wealth of information about the artist’s résumé, with several tips and a sample.

If you’d like to read an article about how to prepare an “Artist’s Statement”, which is a different subject and requires a different writing approach, visit this page.

The Difference Between an Artist’s Biography and Artist’s Résumé

Basically, an Artist’s Biography is written text, in paragraph format. However, an Artist’s Résumé or CV is prepared in listing format and separated into different sections. They may include: Exhibitions, Education, Honors and Awards, and Public Art Projects/Collections, Bibliography and/or Publicity — which includes reviews of your work, publications of your work in print media or online, radio, tv or podcast interviews and appearances. You may also want to include Gallery Affiliations/Representation, Lectures or Workshops you’ve attended or given, and Panel Discussions and/or Conferences you’ve participated in.

Sample Artist’s Résumé/CV

Important to know: Below I provide a sample Artist’s Résumé/CV; however, there is no one absolute way to organize it for every artist. When preparing yours, evaluate the most important achievements you have attained and organize your Artist’s Résumé accordingly. 

List your exhibitions, awards, publications, and other events in REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.  The most recent events should appear first.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Here, it isn’t necessary to list every exhibition, especially if your career spans several decades. Furthermore, less prestigious exhibitions can be deleted. Use the heading “Selected Exhibitions”. (See Important Tips below for details.)

2023 “The Healing Power of Color”, juried competition and online exhibition presented by The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS, an initiative of Manhattan Arts International, NYC, NY. Juror: Renee Phillips, Director
2022 “Mixed Media” juried competition and online exhibition, XYZ.com. Juror: Jack Hollings, curator, Rollings Art Museum, Newtown, MA
2021 “The Healing Power of Color”, juried competition and online exhibition. Juror: Renee Phillips, director, Manhattan Arts International, NYC, NY
2019 “Seven Painters”, group exhibition, curated by Joe Smith, ABC Cultural Center, NYC, NY
2018 “New Work”, one-person exhibition, Blue Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
2017 “Calligraphy/Watercolors”, juried exhibition, New York Public Library, Donnell Center, NYC, NY
2016 “Creative Traditions”, one-person exhibition, Toma Gallery, Bridgeport, CT

HONORS & AWARDS
Include cash and other awards, honors of distinction, grants and fellowships.

2022 Special Recognition Art Award and Featured Article in “The Healing Power of ART: Resilience Exhibition” presented by The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS, an initiative of Manhattan Arts International, NYC, NY. Juror: Renee Phillips, Director
2020 Award of Excellence, ABC Magazine Cover Art Competition. Juror: Julie Smith, NY Art Critic
2018 $1,000 Cash Award, Kent Foundation, New York, NY. Juror: Alvin Kent, Director, Krasdale
2016 Artist Showcase Award, www.ManhattanArts.com “Small Works”. Juror: Nancy Smith, art historian, Metropolitan Museum of Art.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Include all published articles that mention your name. List the year in which it appeared, writer’s name, title of the article enclosed in quotation marks, name of publication in italics, and issue date. You may also include directories and catalogues in the Bibliography category.

2022 “Artists in Mixed Media” by Jim Jones, Blue Moon website
2021 “John Smith Creates Evocative Assemblages” by Gloria Sunshine, Arts Review magazine, Spring
2019 Catalogue, “Artists of America”, International Exhibition, Golden West College, Huntington
Beach, CA, April
2018 “Watercolor Painting” by Joseph Mooney, Artist Magazine, May

SELECTED COLLECTIONS
List the name, city, state, and country. If you have several in each category (private and public), you may use two separate categories with the headings: PRIVATE COLLECTIONS and PUBLIC COLLECTIONS. List private collectors only if you have their permission. Most artists choose to list only Public Collections.

Healing Hospice, Cleveland, OH
ABC Corporation, Houston, TX
Belmont University, Falls, UT
Many private and corporate collectors throughout the U.S.

CAREER-RELATED EXPERIENCE
List lectures, demonstrations, workshops, teaching experience, curatorial positions, and other art related activities.

2020 Co-Curator, “Seven Painters”, ABC Gallery, New York, NY
2019 Presenter of a painting workshop, New York Council of the Arts, New York, NY
2018 Panelist, “Artists Speak Out”, panel discussion, The Gallery, Gardenville, NY

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
List art organizations and any positions you have held.

2020-present, member of Manhattan Arts International Artist Showcase Gallery
2019-present, President, Contemporary Artists of New York Artists Group
2019-present, member of New York Artists Equity Association
2012-2018 Vice-President, The Watercolor National Art Group

EDUCATION
List your degree(s), specialization, name of university or art school. You may also list private study, workshops, and travel-study programs.

2010 M.F.A., Painting, ABC University, Boston, MA
2006-2010 Kalamano Painting School, New Balio, NJ

Important Tips When Preparing Your Artist’s Résumé/CV

* On your website and in print format, the headings on your resume should stand out from the listings. Use a larger type size for the headings. You may also want to use capital letters or bold type for the headings.

* Listings in each category are arranged in REVERSE chronological order.

* Although a résumé is somewhat standardized and usually begins with the exhibition listings, you should arrange the categories to highlight your STRONGEST achievements.

* Many artists think they need to begin their résumés with EDUCATION, although other accomplishments you achieve after graduation have more significance as a professional artist.

* If you have fewer than three listings under the categories, you may prefer to use the biography (your history in prose style) until your résumé grows.

* As your professional history develops, keep the résumé UP-TO-DATE and revise/rearrange the format to fit your objectives and those to whom you are sending it.

* When your complete résumé exceeds two or three pages, delete less significant listings. You can use the terms “SELECTED EXHIBITIONS” and “SELECTED COLLECTIONS” to indicate you have edited your résumé and are showing an abridged version.

* If you have been selected to show in a juried exhibition, include the juror’s name and affiliation. It is very impressive to see that important leaders in the art world find your work outstanding. And, as a curator/juror myself, I appreciate it when artists share my name. 🙂

* If you have a long resume, you may add these words: “A complete résumé, which is (x number) pages, is available upon request.”

* If you are age sensitive, you do not have to list your date of birth or the years you attended school. However, you shouldn’t be ashamed of being “too young” or “too old.” If someone rejects you on the basis of age, then go somewhere else. Read “A Positive Future For Maturing Artists”.

* Do not include positions unrelated to art on your Artist’s Resume.

* Study the résumés of successful artists in galleries where you want to be shown. Look for clues in their career path – where they exhibited, which public collections their work is in, what critics have given them favorable reviews. Use the contacts as a compass to guide your own career

* To build the exhibition section of your résumé join art associations that exhibit their members’ art in galleries and museums and enter juried exhibitions sponsored by art organizations.

* Concentrate on developing your artistic skills and exhibitions and other opportunities will follow.

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