Who are you and what is your work about?

When it comes to embracing opportunities, you are accepted or denied based on more than just your artwork. In today’s episode we talk about the four core documents that every career minded artist needs to have, how they are different, and why you need them in order to put your best foot forward every time an opportunity arises.

Documents Every Artist Needs

There are 4 core documents that every career minded artist needs to have:

Artist Statement
Artist Biography
CV Document
“About Me” Summary

These documents will be requested by everyone (galleries, publications, etc.) and will be used to answer the infamous question “Who are you and what is your artwork about?”

Artist Statement - What is your art about?

Your artist statement is the first step for marketing your art. This is your opportunity to guide the perception of your work and clarify your thoughts (for yourself and others)!
There are multiple types of artists statements (long, short, series specific) but to start, you need a general artists statement
Where do you start? Do a brain download and write out themes, stories, and concepts that are explored with your work. Then once all of your ideas are out of your head, you can refine it later. This will be an ever evolving document because as your artwork changes so will your artist statement.
Ultimately the goal is to help the viewer feel more connected to you and your work!
Guidelines: Typically your artist statement is written in first personal and 75-150 words

Artist Biography

Your artist biography shares your journey, your trajectory, your story of how you became the artist you are today!
Some of the elements you want to include are:

Born/Located - Where are you from? Where do you work now?
Influences – How does your upbringing, family ties, experiences influence your work?
Education – Did you go to art school? Self-taught?
Work Experience – Any relevant positions?
Evolution – How did you become an artist? Was there a specific moment?
Impact – Why do you make and share your art?

Guidelines: Typically your artist biography is written in first or third person. 250-400 words.

CV - Curriculum Vitae, "course of life"

An artist CV is a record of all your professional experiences and artistic achievements used to apply for juried exhibitions, grants, awards, gallery shows, commissions, and residency programs. For this reason, an artist CV is more detailed and much longer than a typical resume.
Writing a CV can be an overwhelming roadblock for many creatives when applying for opportunities
Make the process easier by Creating a Master CV:
- A master CV document includes ALL of the information that you could ever need when talking about your experiences
- This will be an invaluable resource for your records because over time you’ll forget the details of your experience
- Then as you apply for future opportunities you simply delete what is not relevant
- Update it every 1-3 months or as opportunities come up!

Guidelines: Typically your artist CV is 1-3 pages based on the extent of your experience

“About Me” section:

Your “About Me” summary is a brief and versatile section that can be repurposed on your website, newsletter, media articles,and social media profiles.
Goal: In 3-5 sentences (75-150 words), share what you are about
It can be written in first person or third person and will have elements from both your statement and your bio

You’ve Got This!

Having these 4 documents prepared on hand will take time up front but, as a career minded artist, it will save you a lot of time (and stress) down the road and create more opportunities that you will be prepared to take on!

Level Up Artists - In LUA we covered writing tips, prompts, templates, and the best practice guidelines used to create the strongest documents possible and help it stand out from others. To learn more and join our community, visit www.LevelUpArtists.com

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