4 Artist Resume Examples & Templates (2024)

An artist, commonly known as a visual or fine artist, creates works that convey ideas, emotions, or viewpoints using diverse mediums like painting, sculpture, or digital media. They play a vital role in enhancing culture and stimulating thought with their creations. To gain opportunities and recognition in the art world, having a well-prepared portfolio and a compelling artist statement is crucial.

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Artist Resume Example

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Entry-Level / Junior Artist Resume Example

A junior artist is an entry-level position in the field of visual arts. Their primary role is to assist in the creation and development of artistic projects, contributing fresh ideas and supporting senior artists. They help ensure that artistic projects are executed smoothly and creatively. Here’s a sample entry-level/junior artist resume:

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Mid-Level Artist Resume Example

A mid-level artist, often referred to as a mid-level artist or intermediate artist, occupies a role between entry-level and senior positions within the visual arts hierarchy. This position typically involves more complex tasks and greater creative responsibility and often includes mentoring junior artists. Here’s a sample resume for a mid-level artist:

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Experienced / Senior Artist Resume Example

A senior artist is a highly experienced professional responsible for leading major artistic projects and shaping the creative direction within an organization. They manage teams of artists, collaborate with clients and stakeholders, and ensure that artistic projects achieve their aesthetic and conceptual goals. Their role involves a high degree of leadership, innovation, and strategic decision-making. Here’s a sample senior artist resume:

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Resume Templates for Artists

Based on the analysis of 11 million resumes created with the Zety Resume Builder, here are the top 3 picks of templates for artists to use in their resumes:

Cascade

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A clean white background paired with black text offers a simple yet sophisticated look. This inventive resume template merges the strengths of infographic resumes with classic designs, creating a seamless blend. It's perfect for job seekers who favor a reverse-chronological format. The narrow sidebar on the left is ideal for outlining a timeline of your professional history.

Concept

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This modern resume template features a sleek design with an eye-catching timeline. It's professional and sophisticated, making it an excellent choice for office jobs and managerial positions. The elegant layout ensures your credentials stand out, providing a perfect blend of style and functionality.

Crisp

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This unique resume template is crafted to highlight your creativity while keeping the focus on the content. With unconventional content placement and distinguishing icons, it offers a distinctive and visually appealing format that sets you apart.

How to Write an Artist Resume:

1. Prepare the Best Format for Your Artist Resume

Imagine receiving some tough news: you were turned down for that coveted juried exhibition. Why? Your artist's resume was poorly formatted and left a negative impression on the jurors.

Don't let this be your story. Opt for a tested resume structure, such as the reverse chronological format. This format highlights your best work first, making a strong impression right from the start.

Here’s how to format an artist's resume template:

• Format: use the reverse-chronological resume format to highlight your most recent and relevant achievements.
• Resume fonts: stick with Calibri, Didot, or other professional fonts favored in the art industry.
• Line spacing: 1 to 1.15.
• Font size: 11–12 points.
• Resume headings: 13–14 points.
• Resume margins: 1 inch all the way around.
• File type:PDF resumes are preferred unless the company says otherwise.
• Length: aim for a one-page resume. If you need more space, consider omitting less critical information. Focus on your most impressive achievements.

Include these resume sections:

• Header: Include your name and contact information.
• Summary: Provide a brief overview of your best accomplishments and skills.
• Experience: Highlight your finest artistic achievements and roles.
• Education: Detail relevant schooling and academic achievements.
• Skills: List skills that match the job description.
• Other sections: Add relevant certifications, exhibitions, awards, or projects.

Pro Tip: Ensure that the submission guidelines allow PDFs. Some Applicant Tracking Systems slip up on an artist's resume in PDF format.

Want to make sure your resume will hook every recruiter and get you that interview? Get our free checklist and learn what makes a job-winning resume: 46 Things You Need To Do Before You Send Your Resume.

Want to see the reverse-chronological format in action? See the free artist resume template above. Also, reference our guide: "3 Resume Formats: How to Choose the Best One [Examples]"

2. How to Describe Your Artist Work Experience

When applying for a job, your work experience section is the highlight. For grants, shows, or exhibitions, it's not as critical and can be positioned lower on your resume.

Begin with your most recent position and ensure it aligns with the job description to make a strong impression.

To customize your resume:

• Put your newest job title first.
• Add the firm’s name and start and finish dates.
• Write a short artist job description.
• Add six bullet points.
• Show achievement with the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) formula.

Here are some examples of responsibilities for an artist's resume:

Artist Keywords for a Resume

• Create and execute original artwork, ensuring high-quality and visually appealing designs.
• Develop concept art and illustrations, collaborating with creative teams to meet project goals.
• Utilize various art mediums and techniques, including digital and traditional methods.
• Conduct art workshops and training sessions, fostering creativity and skill development.
• Manage art projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery and client satisfaction.
• Curate and organize art exhibitions, coordinating with galleries and artists to showcase work.
• Engage with clients to understand their artistic needs, providing tailored solutions.
• Use graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) to create digital artwork and visual content.
• Stay updated with industry trends and techniques, continuously improving artistic skills.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to create compelling visual content for promotional campaigns.

Remember to use action verbs that convey your responsibilities and achievements effectively. Here are some action verbs for an artist's resume:

Artist Resume Action Verbs

• Created
• Developed
• Designed
• Illustrated
• Curated
• Executed
• Produced
• Mentored
• Collaborated
• Exhibited

3. Craft a Comprehensive Education Section

The placement of your education section depends on its relevance. If you recently graduated from London's Royal College of Art, place it near the top.

However, if you earned your diploma 15 years ago from a less prestigious institution, you might consider omitting it from your artist’s resume.

Start your education section with the basics:

• College Name and Location.
• Years in School.
• Degree.

Then, add details that highlight your artistic achievements and skills.

Working on a self-taught artist's resume? In that case, you can leave the education section out.

Pro Tip: If you went to a prestigious art school or graduated recently, put it a lot higher up on your artistic resume. If you graduated a long time ago, put it lower.

4. How to Put Skills on a Resume for an Artist

Do skills matter on an artist's resume? If you're job hunting, absolutely. Carefully read the job offer and highlight the required skills. Source additional relevant skills from other job postings online. Then, list the most important ones in a dedicated section of your artistic resume.

For example, let's take a video game artist job offer. For skills, it values creative thinking, 3D artwork, and Autodesk. So, you'll list those on your resume. Then add a couple of others like critical thinking skills, Adobe Illustrator, and some hard skills.

Artist Resume Skills

• Creative concept development
• Digital illustration
• Drawing and painting
• Graphic design
• Artistic composition
• Color theory
• Art curation and exhibition
• 3D modeling and animation
• Photo editing
• Client collaboration
• Artistic techniques and mediums
• Visual storytelling
• Project management
• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Adobe creative suite proficiency (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Art installation
• Artistic direction
• Portfolio development
• Artistic research

Pro Tip: If you've got your sights set on a grant or other non-job goal, you can strike skills from your artistic resume. In some cases, touting them looks tacky.

Want to make your painter resume skills section stand out like Michelangelo's David? See these guides: "+30 Best Examples of What Skills to Put on a Resume (Proven Tips)" and "What to include in a Resume"

5. Add Other Sections to Your Artist Resume

Adding additional sections to your artist resume can provide a more comprehensive view of your qualifications, experiences, and skills. Find some examples below:

• Licenses & Certifications

Showcase any relevant certifications that validate your expertise and skills as an artist.

• Certified Professional Artist
• Adobe Certified Expert
• Art Therapy Certification
• Digital Art and Animation Certification
• Professional Fine Artist Certification

Highlight any volunteer work that showcases your commitment to the community and your willingness to share your artistic talents.

• Designed murals for local schools
• Organized free art workshops for underprivileged children
• Volunteered at community art events

• Languages

Listing languages on your resume can be advantageous, especially if you can communicate with a broader audience or work in diverse environments.

• English—Native
• Spanish—Fluent
• French—Conversational

• Professional Associations

Membership in an art association tells the world you’re committed to your profession. Even better if you’ve held a position or volunteered for them.

• Member of the American Artists Association
• Member of the National Association of Women Artists
• Volunteered for the International Art Society

• Conferences

Did you attend any notable art conferences or workshops? That shows you’re dedicated to staying current and developing your skills.

• Attended the National Art Education Association Conference
• Participated in the Adobe MAX Creativity Conference
• Attended the International Contemporary Art Fair

Pro Tip: Not sure how to format bibliography entries in your artist resume? See this set of style guides, or simply use this online tool.

6. How to Write an Artist Resume Summary or Objective

Did you know the average resume gets just seven seconds of attention? That's barely an eyeblink. But those that make an impact get a lot more.

How do you ensure your resume stands out? Start with a compelling resume summary or objective. This is your artist bio, designed to captivate the reader's interest instantly, much like a striking Banksy piece.

Here’s how to write a resume summary or objective:

1. Start with an adjective like creative or passionate.
2. Add your title (e.g., Artist, Junior Artist, Senior Artist).
3. List years of experience (e.g., 1, 1+, 5).
4. Write down your goal (e.g., to enhance the visual impact at Artistry Studios).
5. Mention your biggest accomplishment (e.g., led a successful solo exhibition).
6. Proofread to avoid mistakes and typos.

Pro Tip: An artist bio is the elevator speech for your professional artist resume. Write it last so you'll have plenty of material.

7. Write an Artist Cover Letter

Without a cover letter, your application might seem impersonal and could be easily overlooked. However, don’t just send a generic letter. Demonstrate your genuine passion for the position and explain why you are the perfect fit for the role.

To write a convincing artist cover letter:

• Format your cover letter professionally.
• Start your cover letter with the hiring manager’s name.
• Write an opening sentence that captivates and engages them.
• In the second paragraph, demonstrate your understanding of the artist role and its duties.
• Highlight what your artistic skills and experience can bring to the table.
• End your cover letter with a compelling statement that leaves a lasting impression.

Pair your cover letter template with a matching resume template. A plain 12-point Arial cover letter just won’t stand out in today’s competitive market.

Pro Tip: After you send your creative artist resume, follow up. A well-timed call or email can be just the thing to put you top-of-mind.

Need more help with your winning artist cover letter? See our guide: "How to Write a Professional Cover Letter"

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Looking for a guide to writing a more specific artistic resume? See one of our dedicated articles:

• Acting Resume
• Art Director Resume
• Animator Resume
• Video Producer Resume
• Film Resume
• Filmmaker Resume
• Freelancer Resume
• Theater Resume
• Performing Arts Resume
• Production Coordinator Resume
• Graphic Designer Resume
• Interior Design Resume
• Musician Resume
• DJ Resume
• Photographer Resume
• Cinematographer Resume
• 3D Artist Resume
• Fashion Resume
• Fashion Designer Resume
• Dance Resume
• Game Design Resume
• Professional Resume Examples
• Illustrator Resume
• More Example Resumes for 500+ Jobs

And if you need a more formal document, see: Artist CV

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• University of Phoenix, How to improve your job skills and grow professionally
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Craft and Fine Artists: Occupational Outlook Handbook