Artist Resume Examples & Format
An artist creates original work using materials and techniques such as painting, drawing, sculpting, knitting, weaving or glassblowing, develops creative ideas or new methods for making art, and shows the work in galleries, exhibitions and online. An artist resume should prove skills such as painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor), drawing and illustration, and sculpture and fabrication with numbers from your own work. Below are three samples, entry-level to senior, with summaries, bullets and skills.
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Artist resume examples by experience level
All three samples are illustrative: the people, employers and every figure are made up.
Entry-level sample
Hannah Castellano
Painter · BFA Painting · 2 group shows · mural commission · portfolio: hannahcastellano.example.com
Portland, OR · (503) 555-0147 · hannah.castellano@example.com · hannahcastellano.example.com
Artist statement
- Painter working in oil and acrylic on large canvases about urban green space. Recent BFA graduate with 2 group shows and one public mural commission.
Education
- BFA in Painting, Pacific Northwest College of Art · 2026
Exhibitions
- "Edges", group show, Alberta Street Gallery, Portland, OR · 2026 · 4 works shown, 1 sold
- Senior thesis exhibition, college gallery · 2026 · 9 paintings
Commissions
- School mural, 300 sq ft acrylic on wall, designed and painted with 2 classmates in 11 days for a Portland primary school · 2025
Skills
- Oil and acrylic painting, drawing, mural scaling, color theory, Photoshop for mock-ups, photographing artwork, Instagram portfolio
Mid-level sample
Luis Navarro
Mural Artist · 8 years · 22 commissions for 17 clients · gallery shows · Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · (323) 555-0172 · luis.navarro@example.com · Portfolio: luisnavarro.example.com
Summary
- Independent mural artist with eight years of commissioned work, 22 murals for 17 clients and three solo gallery shows. Nine commissions came from repeat clients.
Experience
- Independent Mural Artist, Los Angeles, CA · 2021 – present · Delivered 22 commissioned murals for 17 clients, 9 of them repeat; quoted, designed and painted each from a scaled mock-up; averaged 14 days per 400 sq ft wall.
- Lead Artist, Wallcraft Studio, Los Angeles, CA · 2018 – 2021 · Painted 12 cafe and hotel walls; designed mock-ups in Procreate and Photoshop for client approval.
Exhibitions
- 3 solo shows (Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix) · group show, downtown arts district · 2023
Education
- BFA in Illustration, Otis College of Art and Design · 2017
Skills
- Large-scale mural painting, aerosol and acrylic, scaling designs, Procreate, Photoshop, client quotes, scaffold and lift safety, project timelines
Senior sample
Margaret Ellison
Artist and Studio Founder · 15 years · public art and sculpture · 7 artists · 6 solo shows
Santa Fe, NM · (505) 555-0129 · margaret.ellison@example.com · margaretellison.example.com
Summary
- Sculptor and studio founder with fifteen years in public art, leading 7 artists and fabricators. Delivered 11 public commissions and grew studio revenue from about $35,000 to $140,000 a year.
Experience
- Founder and Lead Artist, Ellison Studio, Santa Fe, NM · 2017 – present · Lead 7 artists and fabricators; delivered 11 public art commissions; grew studio revenue from about $35,000 to $140,000 a year; wrote 14 grant applications, 6 funded.
- Practicing Artist and Adjunct Faculty, Santa Fe, NM · 2011 – 2017 · Held 3 solo shows; taught drawing 6 hours a week.
Exhibitions and collections
- 6 solo shows (Santa Fe, Denver, Chicago) · residency in Taos, 2019 · works in 2 corporate collections
Education
- MFA in Sculpture, University of New Mexico · 2011
- BFA, Colorado State University · 2008
Skills
- Sculpture in steel and stone, public art proposals, grant writing, studio management, fabrication planning, budgets, teaching
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What does an artist do?
In the US about 58% of craft and fine artists are self-employed, working from studios in office buildings, warehouses or at home, and many hold another job to support their art. An artist resume should show exhibitions, commissions, sales and your training, not a list of duties.
Artist duties to put on a resume
- Create original artwork using techniques such as painting, drawing and sculpting.
- Develop creative ideas or new methods for making art.
- Build and keep up a portfolio, in print and online.
- Display and sell work through galleries, exhibitions and websites.
- Apply for grants, residencies and commissions to fund projects.
- Consult with clients on project requirements, budgets and timelines.
Artist resume format and template
- Lead with exhibitions, commissions and sales, with years and places, and link your portfolio at the top.
- Use an artist statement of two or three lines instead of a long objective.
- Keep it to one or two pages; the portfolio does the showing, the resume gives the proof.
- Choose a simple resume template for artists: one column, clear headings, and plenty of white space around a few links.
The section order and what goes in each are on the how to write a resume guide; the resume format guide covers every format by type and country.
Summary examples by level
- Entry-level: Painter with a BFA, two group shows and a school mural painted with two classmates in 11 days, seeking commissions and gallery representation.
- Mid-level: Mural artist with eight years of commissioned work: 22 murals for 17 clients, nine of them repeat commissions.
- Senior: Sculptor and studio founder with fifteen years in public art, leading 7 artists and growing studio revenue from about $35,000 to $140,000 a year.
Work experience bullet points
- Delivered 22 commissioned murals for 17 clients, 9 of them repeat clients.
- Painted a 300 sq ft school mural with 2 classmates in 11 days.
- Sold 1 of 4 works shown in a group exhibition.
- Grew studio revenue from about $35,000 to $140,000 a year over 6 years.
- Wrote 14 grant applications, 6 of which were funded.
- Held 6 solo shows in 3 cities and placed works in 2 corporate collections.
- Led 7 artists and fabricators on 11 public art commissions.
- Taught drawing 6 hours a week to 20 adult students.
Key skills to list
Hard skills: Painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor), Drawing and illustration, Sculpture and fabrication, Large-scale mural work, Digital tools (Photoshop, Procreate, Illustrator), Portfolio and website upkeep, Photographing artwork, Grant and commission proposals, Quoting and budgeting, Teaching and workshops.
Soft skills: Creativity, Self-promotion, Customer service, Discipline and persistence, Working with clients and collaborators.
Writing the letter too? See the artist cover letter example.
Education and certifications
- A bachelor's degree is common for craft and fine artists but is not required (BLS). List a BFA or MFA with the school and year if you hold one.
- Many artists build skill through practice and repetition, and may attend noncredit classes, workshops or private lessons (BLS). List the ones that matter.
- No license is required to work as an artist; add residencies, prizes and grants under exhibitions and awards.
Sources
Checked on 5 October 2026.
Where can I find artist resume templates?
Choose one of the resume templates for artists in the builder, such as the modern layout. A good artist resume template has a single column, clear headings and room for exhibitions and a portfolio link. Copy the structure of the samples above and fill in your own shows.
Is there an artist CV example for UK jobs?
Yes, the three samples on this page work as an artist CV example too. In the UK the same document is called a CV, and it follows the same order: statement, education, exhibitions, commissions and awards. Use the word that the opportunity uses.
How do I write an artist resume with no exhibitions?
Lead with your education, your portfolio link and any commission, class project, mural or online sale. Add group shows or open calls as you enter them. About 58% of craft and fine artists are self-employed, so show the work you have delivered for others.
Do artists need a degree?
No. BLS says a bachelor's degree is common for craft and fine artists but not required, and many learn through practice, classes, workshops or private lessons. List your degree if you have one, and list training that matters otherwise.
What belongs on an art resume?
An art resume lists exhibitions, commissions, residencies, education, awards and publications, with a link to a portfolio. Unlike a job resume it is organized by type, most recent first, and includes a short artist statement if asked. For a commercial art job, add the software and clients.