CV Checklist for Artists

A resume is not just a stepping stone in your artistic journey; it is also a crucial showcase of your personal brand and professional image. Whether presenting your work to galleries or seeking career opportunities in the art industry, a comprehensive and well-crafted resume can set you apart from numerous artists. It not only reflects your artistic achievements and experiences but also demonstrates your serious commitment to your professional career.

I. Key Elements

1. Contact Information: Full name, address (if applicable), phone number, email (it is recommended to use your name + numbers rather than a nickname), website, or portfolio link.

2. Education Background: Degrees obtained, the school attended, and graduation year.

3. Exhibition Experience: List of solo and group exhibitions, including dates, venues, and locations.

4. Awards and Honors: Any received prizes, scholarships, or honors.

5. Publications: Published works and/or media coverage.

6. Artwork Collections: Collectors and public collections that have acquired your artwork.

7. Professional Experience: Art-related jobs, industry experience, gallery representation (if applicable).

8. Collaborative Projects: Collaborative projects with other artists, institutions, etc.

9. Skills: Technical skills, language proficiency, and other relevant abilities.

II. ADDRESS THE TARGET AUDIENCE

When drafting an artist resume, it's advisable to adjust the length of each section based on the target recipient to ensure the resume is more appealing to the receiver:

1. Gallery or Art Dealer: Emphasize exhibition history and gallery representation experience, focusing on showcasing the performance and popularity of your work in the market.

2. Art Awards or Grant Application: Highlight exhibition experience, awards, honors, and educational background to help the judging panel understand your artistic achievements and professional qualifications.

3. Teaching Position or Lectures: Emphasize professional experience, educational background, and relevant skills, including cross-industry experience, to demonstrate your suitability for a teaching role.

4. Commissioned Projects or Collaborations: Highlight collaborative experiences with other artists or institutions, along with any relevant project management or teamwork skills.

Adapting the content length for each section based on the target audience ensures that your resume effectively communicates the aspects most relevant to the specific context. It enhances the attractiveness and impact of your resume for different recipients within the art community.

II. FORMAT

When crafting an artist resume, consider the following checklist to enhance the format:

1. Contact Details: Place contact information prominently at the top of the resume for easy accessibility.

2. Consistency: Maintain uniformity in font, format, and heading styles throughout the document to uphold professionalism and neatness.

3. Readability: Choose a clear and professional font such as Arial or Times New Roman, with a recommended font size of 10-12 points.

4. Hierarchy: Organize information hierarchically, prioritizing the most important details to stand out.

5. Order: Arrange professional and educational experiences in reverse chronological order, with the most recent experiences at the forefront for quick understanding.

6. Clarity: Use bullet points to list information, keeping paragraphs concise for easy readability.

7. Length: Ideally, keep the resume within 1-2 pages to maintain brevity.

8. Proofreading: Ensure there are no spelling or grammar errors in the resume.

9. Updates: Regularly update the resume to reflect the latest experiences and achievements as your career progresses.

III. EXAMPLES

*Note: As per the UK Equality Act 2010, it is advised for UK and overseas artists to avoid including photos, gender, age, etc., on resumes.