A CV brings together your professional achievements as an artist on one document.

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Having a concise, up-to-date CV is vital. You’ll use it to apply for exhibitions and other opportunities. Curators will also consider it when approaching you for a show.

A CV for arts opportunities is very different from a CV used for applying for jobs. Although presentation is important for either, an art CV has different requirements. This document is only concerned with arts-related CVs.

A good, clear, concise 2 page CV is best. Only include more information if the opportunity requires it. such as if it is for very established artists and they need to see more of your experience.

What to include on a CV

Include a selection of the following sections where relevant.

Name and contact details

  • Full name
  • Contact details (address, telephone/mobile, email)
  • Website and social media

Solo and group exhibitions

  • State if an exhibitions was solo or group.
  • Include the year of exhibition, exhibition name, gallery and geographic location.
  • Include the name of the curator if s/he is well known.

If you have had many shows, make the heading ‘Selected Exhibitions’. Include the most interesting, impressive and relevant shows here.

Collections

List any private or public collections your work is in. List the year of sale followed by the name of collector / foundation / company etc.

Awards

Give details of any awards you have you won or made the shortlisted for.

Press and Publications

These include

  • Articles
  • Books
  • Academic papers
  • Coverage in press and magazines

That have written about you or your work, or that you have written for. Include the name of essay / article, name of publication, Issue / Volume number and date. Include a web link if possible.

Commissions

Include year, commissioner, and what the outcome was (eg, portrait, public artwork, etc)

Residencies

Including year and name and location of residency.

Gallery education

List any relevant experience you have and where and when you took part in specific projects. Only list this if its relevant to opportunity you’re applying for.

Education

Details of your educational history with most recent first. Only go as far as qualifications attained after secondary school.

More tips on CVs

Your CV is for presenting factual information about yourself to the world. Always consider:

  • What is the purpose of sending this CV?
  • What am I applying for?
  • What do they need to know about me?
  • How can I best present myself?

Things to remember:

  • Keep the design and layout of your CV very simple. Avoid elaborate fonts or designs
  • Use black ink only. Its clearer (an cheaper) than colour. CVs may be photocopied or printed.
  • Tailor your CV for the opportunity. Read opportunity guidelines carefully. Include only relevant information.
  • Use reverse chronological order with dated lists of your experience.
  • Keep your CV and the information you send concise and relevant.

Things to avoid:

  • Unnecessary information. You need only include the most recent experience or qualifications you have gained – and even then only if relevant. For example, don’t include any work experience in an exhibitions CV, but do include recent exhibitions in a residency CV, as this gives more information about the level of your arts career, and therefore allows a better judgment to be made about how you might do in a residency.
  • Information on school qualifications. Only higher or further qualifications need be included, unless you don’t have these. Do include short courses you have done if relevant – for example, Final Cut Pro training if you are applying for a new media residency.
  • Long CVs. It is not more impressive to have a long CV, particularly if you are just starting out. Aim for 2 pages of A4 at the most.
  • Squashed or small text. Think about composition and layout, and make sure it is easy to read.
  • Don’t include photographs of yourself or your work on your CV.
  • Avoid using more than one font or typeface. Keep the layout as simple as possible.
  • Avoid use of prose or narrative on CVs – only use headings or bullet points for ease and speed of reading.
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