An artist CV is one of those documents you may not think about often, until you suddenly need one. Whether you’re applying for an exhibition, a residency, a grant, or submitting work to a gallery, having a clear and up-to-date artist CV makes the process much smoother.

While the format may feel intimidating at first, writing an artist CV doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s simply a way to present your professional journey as an artist in a structured, easy-to-read document. This guide walks through what an artist CV is, what to include, and how to shape it so it supports your art career without overthinking it.

What an Artist CV Does

An artist CV (short for curriculum vitae) documents your professional life as an artist. It records your exhibitions, education, awards, publications, and other career milestones in one place. Unlike a standard resume, which is an abbreviated summary, an artist CV is a comprehensive record of all your professional activities.

Rather than telling a story in paragraph form, an artist CV presents information clearly and efficiently. Working alongside your artist statement, it allows curators, galleries, and other art professionals to quickly understand your background, experience, and focus within the visual arts.

Over time, your CV becomes a snapshot of your evolving practice, one that grows alongside your work and helps you gain recognition within the art world.

When You’ll Need an Artist CV

Artist CVs are commonly requested for:

• Solo and group exhibitions
  
• Grant applications
  
• Artist residencies
  
• Gallery submissions
  
• Curatorial projects
  
• Inclusion in catalogues or publications

Even if you’re not actively applying for opportunities, keeping an up-to-date CV saves time and helps you stay aware of your recent activities and achievements.

Core Sections of an Artist CV

There’s no single correct format, but most artist CVs include a similar set of sections. Not every artist will need all of them, especially early in their career. You can simply include what’s relevant and leave the rest out.

Contact Details

Start with the basics:

• Full name
  
• Website
  
• Email address
  
• Phone number (optional)
  
• City and country

Avoid including personal details such as family members or other unrelated personal information. Keep this section clean and professional.

Education and Training

Education details should be listed at the top of the CV, starting with the most recent degree earned. Include formal education such as degrees, as well as relevant short courses, workshops, or training programs. List the institution, location, and completion year.

If you’re self-taught, this section can still include workshops, mentorships, or other forms of professional development.

Exhibition History

This is often the most important section of an artist CV.

List your exhibitions in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. You can divide this section into:

• Solo exhibitions
  
• Group exhibitions
  
• Selected exhibitions (if your list is too long)

For each entry, include the exhibition title, venue or gallery, location, and year. This helps readers quickly understand your exhibition experience and trajectory.

Awards, Grants, and Residencies

This section highlights recognition and support for your work. Include:

• Art-related awards
  
• Grants and funding
  
• Artist residencies

These entries help establish credibility and show engagement with the broader art community.

Collections and Commissions

If your work is part of notable private or public collections, you can list them here. Commissioned artwork may also be included if it’s relevant to your practice. This section isn’t required for everyone, but it can be useful as your career develops.

Publications and Press

List articles, catalogues, or publications that feature your work. When available, include the publication date and title. This section helps demonstrate how your work has been written about and shared publicly.

Optional Sections to Include (When Relevant)

Depending on your practice, you may also include:

• Curatorial projects (these may involve collaboration with other artists and curators)
  
• Work experience (optional; can include relevant roles outside of exhibitions and education)
  
• Art-related professional experience
  
• Representative galleries (galleries you currently work with)
• Skills (used sparingly and only if relevant)
  

As your career develops, these sections naturally grow. Early on, it’s perfectly acceptable to keep things concise and focused. The key is relevance: every section should support your identity as an artist.

How an Artist CV Supports Selling Art Online

While collectors may not always ask to see your artist CV directly, it still plays a supporting role in selling art online. A professional CV adds credibility, reinforces trust, and complements your artist statement, portfolio, and artwork descriptions.

Together, these materials create a fuller picture of your practice: one that feels considered, consistent, and professional.

Formatting Tips for a Clear Artist CV

Clarity matters just as much as content. A well-formatted artist CV makes it easy for someone to scan and understand your experience quickly.

A few formatting principles to keep in mind:

• Use bullet points for easy scanning
  
• Be consistent with formatting and spacing
  
• Keep language clear and straightforward
  
• Use separate sections with clear headings
  
• Avoid decorative fonts or excessive design elements

Presentation matters. A well-organized CV reflects care and professionalism.

Artist CV Example

Looking at artist CV examples can help clarify structure and tone, especially if you’re creating one for the first time. While every artist’s career is different, samples show how information is commonly organized and what details are typically included.

When reviewing examples, focus on clarity rather than length. A strong CV communicates essential information without unnecessary filler. Check out this sample template for your reference:

Keeping Your Artist CV Up to Date

Your artist CV is a living document. As your work evolves, so should the information that represents it.

Make a habit of revisiting your CV when:

• You complete a new exhibition or project
  
• You receive an award or recognition
  
• You begin exploring new professional opportunities

Some artists keep multiple versions tailored to different contexts, such as galleries, grants, or academic opportunities. This is completely normal and often helpful.

Final Thoughts

Writing an artist CV is an ongoing process. It evolves as your career grows, exhibitions expand, and new opportunities arise. You don’t need to perfect it all at once; what matters is clarity, consistency, and relevance.

Take your time, keep it updated, and let it reflect where you are in your practice right now. You got this!

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