Banish the Artist's Statement Blues!
An Artist's Statement is essential - but lots of artists dread writing a statement about their art!
Do you not know how to express your art in words - but know you need a statement for an exhibition or a website?
This site provides links to various helpful and informative articles about how to write an artist's statement, the sort of information it should contain, records you need to keep and how to tackle specific issues
You can find out about...
...just click a link and go straight to that topic
- How this site can help you
- Bookmark This Resource
- The Artist's Statement
- Why you need an Artist's Statement
- What should an Artist's Statement contain?
- How to write an Artist's Statement
- BOOKS: The Artist Statement
- Examples of Artists' Statements
- How to address gaps and problems with your Artist Statement
- Business Perspectives for the business-like Artist
- BOOKS: Writing a resume / CV
- The Artist's Biography / Resume / CV
- Generic advice for writing a resume or CV
- Keeping records for your resume/CV
- An Artist's Statement for Online Galleries
- Love This Lens?
- Comments and Feedback
How this site can help you
This site provides you with easy access to a number of FREE resources on the Internet which can help you - plus a few useful books.
As you review the different articles you'll find some common pointers - and some different perspectives about how to approach the task of writing an artist's statement.
Below, I've organised the information I've collected into a number of different areas (see index). These cover:
- defining an artist's statement
- outlining why you need an artist's statement
- providing information about what you need to include in an artist's statement - and what you need to leave out
- how to tackle any problem areas (eg relating to gaps)
- how to write an artist's biography
- how to write the 'about the artist' page for your website and/or an exhibition catalogue
- what records you need to keep
If you'd like to save or share it, you can find ways to bookmark this site or share it with other people below or via email or social networking sites at the top
The Artist's Statement
An artist's statement provides an insight into the artist's work and how it came about.
In short, an artist's statement is a brief summary of what an artist would say if they could explain their own work in person. It focuses on the present while providing as much information from the past as is relevant.
The best artist's statement is authentic and is written in the artist's own voice, although not always by the artist, and in language which is always simple and accessible.
Bookmark This Resource
New links are being added to this site on a regular basis.
The Artist's Statement
article on wikipedia
An 'artists statement (or artist statement') is a brief text composed by an artist and intended to explain, justify, and contextualize his or her body of work. Artists often have a short (50-100 word) and/or a long (500-1000 word) version of the same statement, and they may maintain and revise these statements throughout their careers. The writing of artists statements is a comparatively recent phenomenon. In some respects the practice resembles the art manifesto and may derive in part from it. However, the artist's statement generally speaks for an individual rather than a collective, but is not strongly associated with the polemic. Rather, a contemporary artist may be required to submit the statement in order to tender for commissions or apply for schools, residencies, jobs, awards, and other forms of institutional support.
For a detailed collaborative examination of artist statements, see the special issue of Open Letter edited by W.F. Garrett-Petts and Rachel Nash: http://publish.uwo.ca/~fdavey/c/13.4.htm
Why you need an Artist's Statement
...for exhibitions, on your website, in promotional material...
- Making a Mark: Marketing art - people buy you as well as your art #1
- As an artist, how often do you regard yourself as part of the selling experience?
Do you regard yourself as personally relevant to whether or not people collect or buy your art - or not?
This post is about the notion that people buy YOU as well as your art.
...today - About the Artist: the background details, sometimes called the CV (if you're in the UK) or resume (if in the USA) - and I haven't got a clue what other people call it! - Making a Mark: Marketing Art - How to write an Artist's Statement
- Is there one right way of writing an artist's statement?
Probably not - although a number of people are in agreement about what it should and shouldn't try to do.
In doing my research for this post and my new information site How to write an Artist's Statement - Resources for Artists I looked around on the Internet for what other people had to say about writing an Artist's Statement and the better ones are listed on the information site.
What should an Artist's Statement contain?
- The Artist Statement - UCA: University for the Creative Arts
- A good artist statement will support your professional practice, for example:
* Giving brief information to support an exhibition or catalogue
* Submitting a proposal
* Applying for a grant
It should be:
* Concise
* Effective in communicating the details you wish to emphasize
* Written in the first person
* Written primarily in the present tense
It might contain............(click the link and read on)
How to write an Artist's Statement
different perspectives from different sources - review and choose your preferred approach
EBSQ - How to Write an Artist's Statement by: Melissa Wotherspoon
- Molly Gordon - How to Write an Artist Statement RECOMMENDED
- Follow these six steps to compose a compelling artist statement - a powerful tool for creative growth as well as for business success.
- EBSQ - Online Art Magazine - How to Write an Artist's Statement RECOMMENDED
- What is an Artist's Statement?
What isn't an Artist's Statement?
Why should I write an Artist's Statement?
What information should be included?
How long should it be?
What kind of language should I use?
My words aren't flowing. How do I deal with that blank page?
Can an artist's statement change?
Where Can I Find Examples of Artists' Statements? - Artbusiness.com - How to Write an Artist Statement - Explaining Your Art RECOMMENDED
- YOUR ARTIST STATEMENT: EXPLAINING THE UNEXPLAINABLE
Q: Why do I have to write an artist statement? It's stupid. If I wanted to write to express myself I would have been a writer. The whole idea of my art is to say things visually. Why can't people just look at my art and take away whatever experiences they will?
A: Artist statements are not stupid; they're more like essential. - Artbusiness.com - Artist's Statement: Writing an Artist Statement by Alan Bamberger
- KEEP YOUR ARTIST STATEMENT SHORT AND CLEAR
- Sylvia White - Art Advice - The Dreaded Artist Statement
- "Artists can no more speak about their work, than plants can speak about horticulture." Jean Cocteau
There are many times when an artist is asked to compose an artist statement. Sometimes, it is in response to a specific inquiry by a gallery or collector, sometimes in response to a particular grant proposal or in conjunction with a curatorial statement or exhibition. Other times, artists just feel the need to explain their work. Most of the time, however, artists are not the best suited for this particular task. Regardless of one's ability to write, writing about your own work poses unique problems that very few artists are equipped to deal with. - Artist's Statements -- How to Write an Artist's Statement
- Tips to help you write a personal artist's statement to accompany your paintings.
- Nita Leland - Writing An Artist's Statement
- Suggestions for writing an artist's statement by Nita Leland, author of the Creative Artist
- Ariane Goodwin - Artist Statement Template
- ARIANE GOODWIN, ED.D.
WRITING THE ARTIST STATEMENT:
What Is An Artist Statement Anyway?
This is the women who write the book (see below) - Ariane Goodwin - Writing the Artist Statement - Present Your Work with Confidence & Credibility!
- "This book gives you:
* The working definition of an artist statement
* Proven writing methods
* What gallery owners really think about artist statements
* The top 7 strategies for presenting your finished statement
* Which fears will stop you cold-in writing, art, or life
* How to capture your organic "self-talk" about your work
* What makes your artist statement shine while others whine
* What helps "seal the deal" with serious collectors" - Tips for Writing Your Artist Statement
- WRITING YOUR ARTIST STATEMENT By Ariane Goodwin, Ed.D.
- Aboit.com: Painting - Artist's Statements -- How to Write an Artist's Statement
- Tips to help you write a personal artist's statement to accompany your paintings.
- Renee Phillips: "How to Write an Artist Statement"
- This article is an excerpt from the chapter "Writing It Right" in her book Presentation Power Tools for Fine Artists.
- Artist's Statements -- How to Write an Artist's Statement
- Tips to help you write a personal artist's statement to accompany your paintings.
- The Artist Statement - UCA: University for the Creative Arts
- A good artist statement will support your professional practice, for example:
* Giving brief information to support an exhibition or catalogue
* Submitting a proposal
* Applying for a grant - Artist Statement | Art school resources - ArtStudy.org
- An artist statement is a general introduction of your work as an artist. It is the what, how, and why of your work, from your own perspective. It helps you convey the deeper meaning or purpose of your work to the audience
- NAIA - Artists Information Statement
- NAIA was formed to address the needs and concerns of artists and artisans who exhibit and sell their work primarily at art festivals.
The NAIA version of an Artist Information Statement was developed after having shows ask us for some idea of what would be helpful. We hoped that this would be a version that could be applicable to most shows that want to include a statement but would like it understood that the NAIA version is a suggestion. We ask shows to not see this version as gospel! Not all artists are members of NAIA - please don't refer to your version as "The NAIA Artists Statement". - Luann Udell - 25 RANDOM THINGS: Action Steps for Your Artist Statement #1
- My article about using Facebook's "25 Random Things About Me" exercise to create an artist statement appeared in the FineArtViews newsletter this week.
People are asking me exactly how to do that-turn that list into their statement. Should they just make 25 Random Things into their artist statement?? - Luann Udell - 25 RANDOM THINGS: Action Steps for Your Artist Statement #2
- Why you need to jazz up that "perfectly good" artist statement of yours.
- Luann Udell - 25 RANDOM THINGS: Action Steps for Your Artist Statement #3
- The list is a) a warm-up exercise for learning to write easily about yourself.
And b) a source for snippets about yourself that get to the heart of what you do. - Luann Udell - 25 RANDOM THINGS: Action Steps for Your Artist Statement #4
- It's okay to laugh. It's okay to make other people laugh. And it's okay to write an artist statement about art-that-makes-us-laugh, too.
- Luann Udell - 25 RANDOM THINGS: Action Steps for Your Artist Statement #5
- Our stories are already inside us, waiting to come out. All we need is a truly sympathetic listener who will allow that to happen.
BOOKS: The Artist Statement
books on Amazon
Writing the Artist Statement
Published by Infinity Pub., 2002
In this book, there are three paths.
The whole track - from beginning to end - is a developmental sequence of information and exercises designed to ease you into writing an artist statement. The journey integrates the technical and professional levels of writing with an emotional and spiritual understanding of why you are doing this.
The fast track - the technical nuts and bolts on how to write an artist statement-can be pulled together from chapters: 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 24, 27, 28-39, and 41-44.
The contemplative track - a tapestry of psychological, philosophical, and spiritual information, which relates to a range of professional and personal pursuits besides the artist statement-can be found in chapters 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13-23, 26, 30 and 46."
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Usually ships in 24 hours
I'd Rather Be in the Studio!
For artists of all kinds. Offers easy-to-follow self-promotion practices that are practical and tested. The focus is on sharing the artwork directly with potential buyers through electronic and traditional communication outlets--in a manner that is comfortable, not artificial.. Includes online worksheets and downloads at idratherbeinthestudio.com.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Usually ships in 24 hours
Examples of Artists' Statements
- Artists Foundation: How to write an Artist Statement
- How to write an Artist Statement
Writing an artist statement sometimes can be harder than making the actual work.
Provides three examples of different types of statements - Martin Langford Prints - Designer of works such as Hungry City, Small World & Grapple
- example of a straightforward artist's statement written in plain English
- Sample Artist Statement | Art school resources - ArtStudy.org
- The following artist statement examples are provided as samples you can emulate. Don't copy them, but use them to identify how to sculpt your statement using ideas and words.
- NAIA - Samples / examples of possible approaches
- NAIA was formed to address the needs and concerns of artists and artisans who exhibit and sell their work primarily at art festivals.
SOME EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE APPROACHES to the production of an artist statement
How to address gaps and problems with your Artist Statement
- Art Biz Blog: What to do with a gap in your artist resume
- I received this question from Judith Glover. She asks:My resume from 14 years ago when I was a watercolor artist is impressive, but I didn't create art between then and now. My new work is totally different.
Business Perspectives for the business-like Artist
-
Resources for Artists - Selling Art Online Headquarters
-
This group is for visual fine artists who want to know more about where and how to sell their art online. Lenses included in this group all provide an in-depth and analytical review of your options. The emphasis is on the provision of links to...
-
The Art Business Headquarters
-
Resources for Artists - The Art Business This group is for visual fine artists who want to sell their art and/or learn more about the business side of being artist The emphasis is on the provision of links to advice, information and products for arti...
BOOKS: Writing a resume / CV
If the book you're reading is more than a couple of years old you need to check out more recent advice!
Resumes For Dummies
Is your job search stalling out after you submit a resume but before you're offered an interview?
With reinvented recruiting technology, unmanageable millions of resumes choking employer databases, and government mandates in the name of diversity, a gigantic change has occurred in the recruiting world over the past several years and it demands a fresh look at how you write and market your resumes.
Whether you're entering the job market for the first time, changing jobs, or changing careers, "Resumes for Dummies, 5th Edition" will show you the ropes and rules for a new era in recruiting and job finding.
With 85 per cent new content added since the previous edition, this up to date guide gives you the very latest strategies on how to create, and more importantly, distribute your resume in today's new job search environment.
You'll learn:
- why most generic online resumes fail;
- how to customize resumes for each job opening;
- new quick ways to find the right jobs;
- how to use meta search engines to your advantage;
- why both digital and print versions of resumes are still needed;
- how to use resumes interactively;
- the resume basics that still knock em dead;
- how to create resumes for your life's changing phases;
- and, what to do after you send them your resume.
Includes a wealth of sample resumes organized by industry and career field, experience level and age, and special circumstances along with tips on choosing professional resume help and other valuable resources.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Artist's Biography / Resume / CV
Your life as an artist
- Art Biz Blog: What? No resume?
- It's tough to put together a resume when you're just beginning. If you find yourself in this situation, follow these two pieces of advice: Start a file labeled "Resume." Drop into it anything and everything that will one day appear on your resume: honors, awards, teaching, public collections
- Art Biz Blog: Format for your artist resume
- Today's post expands upon this week's Art Marketing Action Newsletter: "Keep a Master Resume." Below is a suggested order for your artist resume. Note that the most important thing will go at the top.
- Art Marketing Action: Work On Your Biography - Art Biz Blog
- Artists need biographies for grant applications, websites, and more. This provides a very simple approach to writing a bio.
Generic advice for writing a resume or CV
- Monster.co.uk - CV advice
- Find CV Advice and other CVs & Applications articles. Get your job advice from the career experts at Monster.
- Career advice from Monster.co.uk - free CV templates
- Find Free CV Templates and other CVs & Applications articles. Get your job advice from the career experts at Monster.
- CV writing
- CV,Cover Letter and Interview Information
- Resume
- CvTips.com is a job search info centre. Resume, CV, Cover Letter and Interview
guide. Here you can find CV Examples and information on how to write a CV.
Keeping records for your resume/CV
- Art Biz Blog: Exhibition Records for Your Art
- When I worked in museums, our registrar usually kept three files for each object in the collection: the object file, the donor file, and the artist file. The object file contained the entire history of that piece, including its provenance, conservation, and exhibition records. If you want to see you
An Artist's Statement for Online Galleries
- Your Member Profile: How to Make a Great First Impression | Imagekind Blog | Buy, Sell, Create and Discuss Art
- Your Member Profile: How to Make a Great First Impression
Your artist statement and biography are how you connect with your internet buyers, but writing about yourself can be tricky! Be sure to describe what you do, your materials, your inspiration%u2026 anything that relates to your artistic process.
Making A Mark
Katherine Tyrrell's blogging portfolio about: - Making a mark creating drawings with pastels, pencils and pen and ink - Art projects - Notable Artists - Developing art careers - Art blogs and blogging about art - Reviews of art books and exhibitions - Inf
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byLove This Lens?
- Rate this lens:
- Email it
- Favorite it
- Lensroll it
Comments and Feedback
comments are welcome - but please do not spam
Anybody can comment BUT please note that:
* All comments are moderated before publication
* All html is stripped out of comments. Spam is not published.
* All suggestions about the inclusion of websites will be reviewed but will only be published if the website is added. (This is to avoid spam)
* Please do not ask me to rate your lens (see Squidoo FAQs). However I do check out your lenses if you comment.
-
Reply
- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Sep 3, 2009 @ 7:01 am
- My sister is an artist but I'm pretty sure she doesn't have an artist's statement written. I'm working with her to bring her into the internet to realize that she can market her work to a larger audience than just local patrons. A helpful resource.
-
Reply
- sema sema Aug 7, 2009 @ 1:54 pm
- I am an artist and your lens was very useful lens.I am off to writing my artist statement .I somehow avoid elaborating on it.
-
Reply
- BuffaloKid BuffaloKid Apr 14, 2009 @ 11:10 am
- You have an incredible amount of useful art-related lenses, and this one is no exception. I'm favoriting it so I can read it again and look through more of the resources you have here. I definitely need to work on this.
-
Reply
- Bibleanswers Bibleanswers Feb 21, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
- I'm not a serious artist, but this seems like a remarkable resource for anyone who is! My 13yo dd is currently a serious artist planning to work in the field when she is grown, so I enjoy coming across information like this for future reference. 5*
Who is makingamark?
-
Who is Making A Mark?
-
I'm an artist with a very wide range of interests who enjoys learning about art, making art and sharing information about art. I've combined all my information sites with sections of my other websites and blogs to highlight my main interests and acti...
and finally......
by makingamark
Explore related pages
Online Art Galleries and Stores - Resources for Artists- Any number of services want to help you to get your ORIGINAL ART online - but do...
Who is Making A Mark?- I'm an artist with a very wide range of interests who enjoys learning about art,...
Art History & the History of Art - Resources for Art Lovers- This is about (1) Art History - the study of art over time and how this can be a...
The Art Business - Resources for Visual Artists- Do you want to know more about the business side of being an artist? Or maybe yo...
- Who is Making A Mark?
- I'm an artist with a very wide range of interests who enjoys learning about art,...
Sell Art Online - Resources for Artists- Do you want to know how to sell art online - or improve your knowledge of e-comm...
