*Updated August 2023
If you're ready to submit your work to galleries, juried exhibitions, and more, you're going to need a professional art resume. Not sure where to start or looking for an artist resume template to help you get going? We've got you covered!
Click here for a simple, effective artist resume template that has been used and approved by hundreds of artists.
The average amount of time a curator, writer, or gallery director will spend looking at your resume before deciding to move further with your submission is less than 10 seconds. So how can you make your first impression count?
Here are 5 tips for writing a standout artist resume. Use them along with the resume template for artists mentioned above for best results:
- Your artist resume can be designed, but it doesn't have to be. Concise and easy to read should be your priorities! Stick with simple fonts rather than decorative ones and don't use too many colors as these elements of flair can distract from your incredible accomplishments.
- Stay consistent with your formatting throughout! If you capitalize the beginning of each line, do that throughout the document and the same is true with where you use punctuation.
- Make sure that the most important information is on the first page if your resume is several pages long. Many people will not read beyond this unless what you've written on the initial page has captured their interest.
- Never add your clients' names to your resume or CV. Only list known public or private collections (e.g. museums, institutions, or corporations).
- Don't use extra spacing to make your resume look longer than it is. If you feel that any gaps in your career or a short resume merit an explanation, use another section of your submission to address this. However, jurors and curators truly do understand that everyone has to start somewhere. Your artwork is always what counts most in an application.
Still unsure about what to do if you don't have much to include on a resume right now? Then, read this article here. For those who want even more career advice for emerging artists, check out our bestselling first book The Complete Smartist Guide or our affordable business course The Smartist School!
