What is an artist's statement? Where can I find samples?
An artist's statement is a written document that introduces you as an artist. It explains why and how you make your art, along with other facts about you and your art. An artist's statement could be about a particular work or your entire body of work.
Many applications for awards, grants, fellowships, schools or jobs require an artist's statement.
Artist's statements typically contain:
- A few sentences on your personal relationship with art in general as well as why you do what you do.
- Your medium: paint, clay whatever. Why that's the right medium for you. Your favorite canvas size, tools you use. Does anyone assist you?
- Your current work: why you depicted whatever, if you work in more than one medium why you chose the medium for a particular work. What it means to you. What you hope it means for anyone looking at your work.
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Staff-recommended websites
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Staff pick
Maryland Institute College of Art
Build Your Professional Package
Career resources for artists, including a pdf and podcast on preparing artist statements. The pdf has a sample of an artist statement and an artist bio.
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Alexandra Copley
How to create a photography artist statement,bio,resume and CV
A cluttered presentation but full of great ideas plus many examples. From an experienced photographer.
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Staff pick
EBSQ,an online artist community and portfolio site
How to Write an Artist's Statement
Offers a list of questions to ask yourself while coming up with your statement. Answers many common questions about artist's statements.
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Carrie Acosta
How to Write an Artist Statement
Succinct advice from a professional photographer and instructor
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ArtBusiness.com
How to Write an Artist Statement: Explaining the Unexplainable
You can call it a diatribe or a manifesto, but it's good advice from "an art consultant, advisor, author, and independent appraiser."
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Art Business Info. for Artists
TIPS: How to write an artist statement
A well organized guide from a "business of art" site.
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How to Write a Good Artist Statement and Resume
Your artist’s statement should be like this article: "short, to the point, and easy to read."
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Staff pick
Welcome to Your Artist Statement!
A site devoted to the business side of being an artist. Includes several articles about artist statements and samples. (Many sample links don't work, but some do.)
Staff-recommended books
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Guide to Getting Arts Grants
Find: Amazon | Free eBook
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The Artist's Guide to Grant Writing
Find: Amazon | Free eBook