What is an artistic resume?
A resume is a document listing your academic and professional achievements. A typical resume would include employment history, listing your most recent job first. An artist’s resume can consist of a job history, but it also provides exhibition works, theater productions, animation shows, articles, or any venue that would showcase their work.
Sometimes an artist’s resume can contain bibliographies and reviews of the artist’s work. They can also include portfolios and other items to showcase their compositions and original pieces.
Tips for creating an artist resume
Here are some tips for creating an artist’s resume based on your field:
Actor
This resume can showcase any type of production you have been in, including theater, commercial work, television, or film. Your education might list if you’ve had professional training or received a degree in theater arts. You can also list awards received if you were honored for your work.
Art director
Your resume can list newspaper and magazine layouts and product packaging. You can also include if you’ve instructed others on forms and design, which can show strong leadership skills.
Painter or animator
A painter or animator’s resume can list any exhibitions, gallery, or firm work. It can also list any freelance employment periods where you might have taken commission for your work. Consider listing a portfolio to exhibit personal collections and commission works.
Filmmaker or director
Your filmmaking or director resume can include any films you made, directed, produced, or took part in. For example, a filmmaker or director might have an employment history in a theatrical management office or freelance projects.
Designer
Your resume can list freelance design, pro bono work, and work at design firms. For any freelance periods, you can include if the projects were on time or under budget for any freelance periods and how many tasks you completed in that time frame. Positive testimonials from past clients are also great to include on a design resume.
Photographer
A photography resume could list both freelance and permanent employment. For example, you could list your experience at the local newspaper along with freelance wedding photography work. List both on your resume under employment history and any professional studio employment. Your resume can also include exhibitions, shows, or publications your photography was featured in. Finally, you can include a link to your online portfolio if your photography has not been featured anywhere.
DJ
Your DJ resume could list any work you did as part of an events company or at a specific venue. In addition, the resume can list how many events you worked on, and the number of attendees included. For example, “DJ’ed at 350 events with 400 plus attendees.” Your DJ resume can also have the equipment you are familiar with and the types of events or clubs you work at.
Fashion designer
A fashion designer or stylist’s resume can include the following:
- Any formal education or training
- Employment at a professional firm or freelance work
- How many orders do you process, or how many clients do you service
- Hard skills like designing computer programs or sewing
Dancer
Your dance resume can list troupes or companies you performed with. You can also record the following:
- Specific parts you held
- How often the productions ran
- If you had any other duties, like choreography, inventory, or backstage work
Musician
Your resume could include professional music education or training under a master musician. You could also have freelance work, such as time in a band or playing at events like weddings or bars and restaurants. It might also be helpful to include a link to your portfolio.
How to write an artist’s resume
Artist resumes often highlight unique skills not present in a typical resume. They might include different sections, like a bibliography or an exhibition. Follow the below steps to create an effective artistic resume:
1. Keep it simple
Artists’ resumes can include bibliographies, exhibition listings, portfolio links, and other examples of creative works. You might want to include many examples for each of these sections, but consider keeping the resume on the shorter side. A museum, theater, or firm can receive many weekly submissions. A simple resume with relevant details can stand out to the recruiting team.
2. Add your contact details
Your contact details can be in the same format as a standard resume. In addition, you can provide your full name, address, phone and email. Artist resumes are occasionally available on artist, gallery, or theater websites. If you submit a resume for a website, you can omit your address, phone number, and email from the contact details.
3. Include your educational background
Include any relevant education on your artist resume, starting with the most recent. Your educational experience can include a college degree if applicable. It can also include any professional training you have received. For example, “Classically trained ballet dancer, trained under French Ballet School by Amelie Macron 2010–2012.” Your resume can also list certifications or awards received in this section.
4. List your relevant employment in the field
The next section on your artist’s resume is employment history, which should list your most recent job first. You can include freelance work as long as it applies to your field. For example, if your field is photography, you can consist of an entry like this:
Freelance Photographer
March 2020–April 2020
- Shot 25 family sessions
- Clients referrals multiplied original session bookings
- Shot 4 weddings
- Exhibition at Tampa Art Museum for Aspen Goji exhibit
5. List your most recent creative works first
Include any relevant result to the position you’re applying for. You can also list an online portfolio and a bibliography in this section. Consider making bibliographies their section if you have multiple entries. If you choose to make a bibliography its section, include it before the exhibitions section.
Artistic resume examples
Use this example as inspiration when writing a resume:
Example one
Misty Taylor
135 Mill Ave.
Kissimmee, FL
www.mistytaylorartsite.com
847-564-1353
Summary
An original artist with a vast portfolio of work that spans 12+ plus years. The portfolio includes exhibitions, solo artist shows, and critical reviews of work. I am skilled at quick but creative execution and client relations for commissioned pieces.
Education
Chicago Western University | August 2001–May 2005
Bachelor of Fine Arts, concentration in sculpture
Trained under Anton Scarsdale, Master Sculptor May 2009–May 2011
Experience
Artist (Freelance) April 2011–Present
- Create 1-2 client commissions per month
- Design pieces for Tampa Art Museum local artist exhibit featured every April
- Produce unique sculptures for Mayoral Artist exhibition solo show
Lamont Art Studio, Art Teacher August 2005- 2011
- Taught five classes a week on different methods of fine arts
- Ordered supplies and equipment for the studio and other artists
- Filled in for other artists’ courses if needed
Bibliography
- Eric Smith “Sculptures Unseen” The Stand, October 2019
- Bart Tessem “Creativity Unbound” Version Two, November 2018
Exhibitions
- Mayoral Artists Solo Exhibition: Sculpture Undone, April 2020
- Multi-Artist Exhibition: Modern Artist, Freedom. Orlando Museum of Sculpture, October 2019