Crafting a Head-Turning Artist Resume: Strategies to Secure Attention
Achieving a kickass artist CV that grabs attention in the competitive art world is crucial for showcasing your talents and career accomplishments. With the correct approach, your CV can help you secure exhibitions, grants, and residencies.
Let's begin by pinpointing your contact details. Include:
- Your full name
- A professional email address
- Your phone number
- A direct link to your portfolio or website
- Relevant social media handles, if necessary
Position this information at the top of your CV. Now, let's delve into various sections:
The Art of Organization
Exhibitions:
Showcase your exhibitions in reverse chronological order. List solo and group exhibitions, emphasizing any awards or significant achievements associated with them.
Example: Solo Exhibition: "Abstract Emotions," Galerie A, Paris, 2022 | Group Exhibition: "Female Voices," Museum B, Amsterdam, 2021
Awards, Grants & Residencies:
Highlight any awards, grants, and residencies you've received, and their locations.
Example: Emerging Artist Grant, Grantmaker, New York, 2023 | Artist-in-Residence, Residency Program, Berlin, 2021
Publications, Reviews & Features:
Including articles, books, or online features that feature your work can add credibility to your CV.
Example: Article: "On the Rise," Art Magazine, April 2023
Professional Experience:
Detail relevant employment or freelance work in the arts. Be sure to include notable projects and positions.
Example: Art Director, Studio XYZ, 2020 - Present
Education & Training:
List your formal degrees, workshops, or specialized training. Put your most recent or prestigious programs first, and you can omit graduation years if they are recent.
Example: Master of Fine Arts, Goldsmiths University, London, UK
Collections & Commissions:
If your work is held in private, public, or corporate collections, or if you've completed significant commissions, list them here.
Example: Commission: "Impact," City Hall, New York, 2021
Going the Extra Mile
Tailor for Each Opportunity:
Adapt your CV to highlight achievements and experiences most relevant to the specific gallery, grant, or residency you're applying for.
Keep it Clean & Professional:
Maintain a simple yet visually appealing layout for your CV. Avoid clutter and excessive graphics.
Quantify Achievements:
When possible, quantify your accomplishments. For example, specify the number of works in an exhibition or the dimensions of a piece.
Include Online Links:
Provide direct links to your portfolio, artist website, or social media profiles.
Be Concise Yet Comprehensive:
While you may want to highlight all your achievements, focus on what matters most for your audience.
By following these tips, your artist CV will make a lasting impression and help pave the way for incredible opportunities in the ever-evolving art world. Get ready to embrace the journey to success!
Additional sections to consider incorporating in your artist CV, especially if they are relevant to your lifestyle and career, include:
- Fashion-and-Beauty: If your art is inspired by or co-exists with your personal style, showcasing any collaboration or affinity for fashion, makeup, or accessories can enhance your CV.Example: Fashion Collaboration: Custom designs for fashion brand, Style Queen, 2023
- Food-and-Drink: Hosting or participating in art-themed culinary events or working with restaurants to create themed dining experiences can be impressive additions.Example: Art-themed Pop-up Dinner, Local Restaurant, 2022
- Home-and-Garden: If your artwork is used in home decor or gardens, display these projects to demonstrate your versatility and adaptability.Example: Home Decor Collaboration: Designing exclusives for home décor store, Home Essentials, 2021
- Relationships: Collaborations or partnerships with other artists, collectors, curators, or influential figures in the art world can signify your network and influence.Example: Cooperative Project: Collaboration with renowned artist, Jane Doe, 2022
- Pets: Showcasing your connection with pets, especially if they inspire or feature in your work, humanizes you and appeals to pet-loving galleries and enthusiasts.Example: Featured Work: "Whiskers," cat portrait Series, 2021
- Travel: Description of your travel experiences, especially in artistic or cultural hubs, may demonstrate a global perspective and unique inspiration.Example: Artistic Sojourn: A month-long residency at Gelugor Art Colony in Penang, Malaysia, 2023
- Cars: Mentioning a distinctive, luxury, or custom-designed car you own or work with can reflect an adventurous, dynamic, or affluent image.Example: Collaborative Car Wrap Design: Luxury sports car, Ferrari, 2022
- Shopping: Inclusion of your favorite shops, online marketplaces, or brands with whom you have an affinity or partnership can help establish your personal style and preferences.Example: Supported Artists: Regularly featured and promoted on online marketplace, Artists' Haven, 2020 - Present
