One specific CV challenge you might encounter as an artist is effectively showcasing your diverse portfolio and unique style to potential clients or galleries. Our comprehensive guide provides techniques to create a cohesive document that highlights your artistic achievements and individuality, ensuring that your CV stands out in a competitive field.
- Design and format your professional artist CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading artist CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your artist CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
How to ensure your profile stands out with your artist CV format
It's sort of a Catch 22. You want your artist CV to stand out amongst a pile of candidate profiles, yet you don't want it to be too over the top that it's unreadable. Where is the perfect balance between your CV format simple, while using it to shift the focus to what matters most. That is - your expertise. When creating your artist CV:- list your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your latest roles;
- include a header with your professional contact information and - optionally - your photograph;
- organise vital and relevant CV sections - e.g. your experience, skills, summary/ objective, education - closer to the top;
- use no more than two pages to illustrate your professional expertise;
- format your information using plenty of white space and standard (2.54 cm) margins, with colours to accent key information.
Once you've completed your information, export your artist CV in PDF, as this format is more likely to stay intact when read by the Applicant Tracker System or the ATS. A few words of advice about the ATS - or the software used to assess your profile:
- Generic fonts, e.g. Arial and Times New Roman, are ATS-compliant, yet many candidates stick with these safe choices. Ensure your CV stands out by using a more modern, and simple, fonts like Lato, Exo 2, Volkhov;
- All serif and sans-serif fonts are ATS-friendly. Avoid the likes of fancy decorative or script typography, as this may render your information to be illegible;
- Both single- and double-column formatted CVs could be assessed by the ATS;
- Integrating simple infographics, icons, and charts across your CV won't hurt your chances during the ATS assessment.
PRO TIP
Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a artist CV
Personal statement highlights creative vocation and aspirations, showcasing the artist's unique perspective and goals, which helps recruiters understand their career intentions.
Artistic skills and techniques section outlines proficiency in various mediums, demonstrating versatility and expertise to potential employers in the visual arts field.
Exhibition history lists individual and group shows, providing a track record of public presentations of the artist's work, which is critical for gauging their experience and recognition.
Education and workshops section details formal art training and informal workshops attended, evidencing the artist's foundational knowledge and commitment to ongoing learning.
Awards and residencies feature honors received and residencies participated in, establishing the artist's credibility and the value placed on their work by the industry.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your portfolio by providing a link to your online gallery or personal website at the top of your CV, ensuring potential employers can easily view your artwork.
- Detail your exhibitions by including information about solo and group shows, gallery representations, and any notable places your work has been displayed.
- Outline any awards or recognitions you've received to establish credibility and showcase your accomplishments within the artistic community.
- Include any relevant art-related experience, such as residencies, workshops, or art education roles, to demonstrate your commitment to the field and continuous learning.
- Emphasise any collaboration projects or community art initiatives you've participated in to show your ability to work with others and contribute to larger artistic endeavours.
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Making a good first impression with your artist CV header
Your typical CV header consists of Your typical CV header consists of contact details and a headline. Make sure to list your professional phone number, email address, and a link to your professional portfolio (or, alternatively, your LinkedIn profile). When writing your CV headline , ensure it's:
- tailored to the job you're applying for;
- highlights your unique value as a professional;
- concise, yet matches relevant job ad keywords.
You can, for examples, list your current job title or a particular skill as part of your headline. Now, if you decide on including your photo in your CV header, ensure it's a professional one, rather than one from your graduation or night out. You may happen to have plenty more questions on how to make best the use of your CV headline. We'll help you with some real-world examples, below.
Examples of good CV headlines for artist:
- Emily Chang | Leading Character Animator | 3D Modelling Specialist | MA Animation | 8+ Years Experience
- James Smith | Contemporary Visual Artist | Mixed Media Expert | Fine Art PhD | Exhibitions Worldwide | 15+ Years
- Rebecca Taylor | Senior Graphic Designer | Branding & UX/UI Focus | Adobe Certified | 10 Years in Industry
- Oliver Holmes | Professional Photographer | Editorial & Commercial Shoots | BA Photography | Guild Member | 5+ Years
- Sarah Johnson | Acclaimed Sculptor | Public Art Installations | MFA | Royal Academy Affiliate | 20+ Years Mastery
- Daniel Phillips | Junior Concept Artist | Game & Film Industry | Digital Illustration Pro | 3 Years Active
What's the difference between a artist CV summary and objective
Why should it matter to you?
- Your artist CV summary is a showcasing your career ambitions and your unique value. Use the objective to answer why your potential employers should hire you based on goals and ambitions. The objective is the ideal choice for candidates who happen to have less professional experience, but still meet some of the job requirements.
Before you select which one will be more relevant to your experience, have a look at some industry-leading CV summaries and objectives.
CV summaries for a artist job:
- With over a decade of experience sculpting in mediums ranging from marble to modern synthetics, I have established a strong identity in the contemporary art scene with works displayed in international galleries and a recipient of the prestigious Sculptor's Guild Award.
- Seasoned graphic artist with 15 years in the industry, having spearheaded successful digital campaigns for Fortune 500 companies. Masterful in Adobe Creative Suite and 3D animation, with a notable contribution to the rebranding project that won the Global Marketing Excellence Award in 2021.
- Former senior marketing executive with a passion for visual storytelling transitioning into photography brings a unique blend of strategic branding and aesthetic skill. Acknowledged for boosting brand engagement by 40% through innovative campaign imagery.
- A software developer with a profound appreciation for digital design now venturing into the realm of interactive media art. Possesses strong programming skills, complemented by a creative perspective that was instrumental in launching a top-rated mobile app.
- Aiming to bring a fresh perspective to contemporary art with a focus on environmental consciousness, I am seeking opportunities to collaborate and create impactful installations that resonate with public audiences and evoke a dialogue on ecological sustainability.
- Recent visual arts graduate eager to apply my academic knowledge and fresh creative approach to the development of innovative art installations. Committed to exploring the intersection of art and technology and producing works that challenge traditional boundaries and captivate audiences.
Narrating the details of your artist CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your artist CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- List your most recent exhibitions first, categorising them into solo and group shows, as this demonstrates the trajectory and growth of your artistic career.
- Include the title of the exhibition, the venue, the location, and the date clearly, as these details add credibility to your work.
- Highlight any high-profile or international exhibitions to show recognition and the reach of your artwork across borders.
- Include residencies, workshops, or special projects, with a brief description, as they often provide insights into your creative process.
- Detail any awards, grants, or scholarships you have received to show peer recognition and support for your artistic practice.
- For each entry, use active verbs to explain your role and contribution, such as "exhibited," "curated," or "collaborated" to convey your level of engagement.
- If you have relevant experience in other fields closely related to art, such as teaching art classes or working in gallery administration, include this to show a well-rounded background.
- Include a list of collections, both private and public, that have acquired your work, noting any significant or known collectors to illustrate the value placed on your art.
- Mention any relevant publications, press mentions, or critical reviews, with concise details, as they add authority and provide context for your work.
- Led a team of 5 artists in creating original concept art for a top-selling video game, which sold over 2 million copies within the first year of release.
- Developed and implemented a new digital painting technique that reduced production time by 25%, significantly accelerating the project timeline.
- Organised and conducted creative workshops for junior artists, enhancing team capabilities and improving overall design quality by 30%.
- Secured over 50 commissions for book illustrations within an 18-month period, resulting in a 40% increase in repeat clients due to high satisfaction rates.
- Managed all aspects of branding and marketing for independent businesses, where my efforts contributed to an average increase of 20% in customer engagement.
- Produced an eclectic mix of digital art for social media campaigns, achieving an average of 15,000 engagements per post.
- Created over 300 detailed 3D models for an award-winning animation film, praised for their realism and intricate detail by industry professionals.
- Collaborated with animators and technical directors to ensure seamless integration of 3D assets into the production pipeline, enhancing the visual narrative.
- Initiated and led a peer training programme on advanced texturing techniques, improving team skills and productivity by 20%.
- Directed and produced a short animated feature that went on to win 'Best Animation' at a prestigious international film festival.
- Implemented a novel animation workflow that streamlined processes, cutting production times by an average of two weeks for urgent projects.
- Cultivated a network of influential industry contacts that led to a lucrative partnership, increasing revenue by 15%.
- Supervised the visual design of a successful advertising campaign that raised product sales by 50% within a six-month period.
- Orchestrated a multidisciplinary team of 10 to achieve a cohesive aesthetic across various media platforms, recognized in the 'Ads of the Year' awards.
- Implemented a comprehensive rebranding strategy for a multi-national company, boosting brand recognition in new demographics by 25%.
- Designed and developed over 100 unique character models for a beloved children's TV show, which saw a viewership increase of 35%.
- Conducted extensive research into character design trends to ensure cultural and age-appropriate content, contributing to the show's international success.
- Mentored junior artists in design and animation techniques, resulting in production efficiency gains of 10% year-over-year.
- Executed complex visual effects for an Oscar-nominated movie, enhancing the visual storytelling and receiving critical acclaim from various film critics.
- Developed custom digital compositing scripts that improved render times by 30%, leading to costs saving and meeting tight deadlines.
- Liaised with directors and cinematographers to create convincing visual effects that increased the film's realism and audience immersion.
- Delivered comprehensive art direction and consultancy services for public art installations across London, increasing city tourism by 10%.
- Developed educational outreach programmes to engage the community with contemporary art, resulting in a 20% uplift in local participation.
- Forged partnerships with local authorities and businesses to secure funding for new art projects, totalling over £500,000 in contributions.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
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PRO TIP
If you have experience in diverse fields, highlight how this has broadened your perspective and skill set, making you a more versatile candidate.
Hard skills and soft skills to showcase your unique skill set on your artist CV
Did you know that your CV will mostly likely be assessed by recruiters based on skill alignment? And that means that the way you feature your key skills across different CV sections will play a crucial role in landing you that first interview. We recommend you add your:
- technical capabilities or hard skills in your CV experience, certificates, projects, etc. Use your past accomplishments to prove your technical capabilities. List up to a dozen different software or hardware in your dedicated skills section to match the job keywords;
- personal and communication skills or soft skills in your CV strengths, achievements, summary/ objective, etc. Soft skills are a bit more difficult to prove. How do you define your aptitude in active listening? So, instead of just listing the skill name, include a tangible metric to show your success.
On a final note, when you're in a hurry to create your profile, you may misspell a particular technology or soft skill. That's why we suggest you copy and paste the particular skill name (or keyword), directly from the job advert. This would also help you to pass any initial Applicant Tracker System (ATS) tests.
Top skills for your artist CV:
Drawing
Painting
Sculpture
Digital Art
Photography
Printmaking
Artistic Software Proficiency
Mixed Media
Art History Knowledge
Colour Theory
Creativity
Visual Communication
Problem-solving
Time Management
Adaptability
Attention to Detail
Collaboration
Patience
Innovation
Self-promotion
PRO TIP
Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your artist CV education is that you only need it, if you have less professional experience. That is completely false. The CV education section serves to back up your technical (and sometimes personal) capabilities, fill in gaps in your work history, and show you have the initial industry background and know-how. When creating your education section:
- List your degrees in the reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent (and relevant) ones first;
- Include your degree and university names, start and graduation dates. It's optional to also denote you received a "First-Class Honours" for diplomas that are more relevant to the role;
- Curate your relevant university coursework, projects, or thesis work if you happen to have less professional expertise and need to integrate more job keywords and skills.
Your professional qualifications don't need to stop at your academic background. It's advisable to also select up to three of your most noteworthy (and relevant) industry certificates and feature them in a dedicated section. Once more, include the certificate name, the institution that issued it out, and the date you obtained it on. You could feature both hard skills and soft skills certificates, as in the examples below:
PRO TIP
Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
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Key takeaways
Write your professional artist CV by studying and understanding what the role expectations are. You should next:
- Focus on tailoring your content to answer specific requirements by integrating advert keywords through various CV sections;
- Balance your technical know-how with your personal skills to showcase what the unique value would be of working with you;
- Ensure your CV grammar and spelling (especially of your key information and contact details) is correct;
- Write a CV summary, if your experience is relevant, and an objective, if your career ambitions are more impressive;
- Use active language by including strong, action verbs across your experience, summary/objective, achievements sections.
