By Renee Phillips, The Artrepreneur Coach
"I became an artist for the same reason I became a writer – I wanted to tell my story."
~ Faith Ringgold
A biography contains much of the same information as a résumé, however, it is written in paragraph form, as compared to the listing form of a résumé. It often elaborates on your life’s story as it relates to your art career and the journey you took to get there. You can add some interesting features to the biography that will entice the reader.
A biography may accompany a résumé or ride alone. For the beginner artist this may be the best direction to go until you can list a sufficient number of credits in each category of the résumé such as “Exhibitions”, “Honors and Awards”, “Bibliography” and “Commissions.”
Why and When Do You Need An Artist Biography?
• To accompany your artwork on your website.
• To emphasize the most important achievements listed on your résumé.
• To use until you have substantial listings needed to prepare your résumé.
• To provide material for part of your cover letter.
• To accompany a press release to an art editor or feature story editor.
• To serve as an integral part of a brochure or catalogue.
• To provide to those interested in hiring you for a lecture, workshop or panel discussion.
• To serve as your profile on LinkedIn or other social media sites.
• To accompany a grant proposal.
What Might You Include in Your Biography?
• Where and when were you born?
• Where have you previously lived and where do you currently live?
• Did you come from a family of artists? What is your family background?
• When, where, and/or why did you begin to take interest in art?
• Did you study art in school, or were you self-taught?
• Did you go to college or art school? Where? What did you study?
• Did you receive any reviews or articles written about you on blogs, magazines or newspapers? Have you discussed your art on TV or radio?
• Did you study with well-known artists?
• Where did you study art? Did you earn any degrees?
• What one-person and group exhibitions did you participate in?
• Is your art in any important collections? Which ones?
• Have you traveled extensively? Where?
• What awards and other professional achievements have you earned?
• Have you served in other art art related roles such as curator, art writer, artists' advocate?
More Tips
• On your website keep your Artist Biography short and interesting.
• If your biographical information is too short (non-existent), you might want to add a short description of your artistic philosophy or approach to art or a quote about your work from someone in the arts who has credentials.
• Avoid writing about very personal accounts that are not related to your career or artistic vision.
• If you struggle with writing your biography consider getting some help from a professional writer. You may only require a little editorial polishing.
Are You Suffering from Writer's Block? Let Renee help you
Renee offers consultations and writing services to help artists with their presentation and promotional materials. Just send her an email to renee@renee-phillips.com and tell her what you need. She can offer proof reading to complete writing. Her fees are very reasonable and she will offer an estimate before she begins. Don't be one of the artists who fails to create properly written Resumes and Biographies.
Read examples of artist biographies, essays and more Renee has written for her clients: http://www.manhattanarts.com/ReneePhillips/writing.htm
How to Write Your Resume and Biography
Want to write it yourself?This e-Document will take you through the steps and provide many examples.
In this e-Document You will receive:
* Step-by-step advice ~ more than 30 tips that will guide you through the process.
* A detailed list of suggestions of what to include.
* Several samples of different Resumes and Biographies.
* Recommended especially for beginner, intermediate and advanced level artists.
Learn more about our e-Documents and special Back to School price.
Praise for Renee's e-Document "How to Write Your Resume and Biography"
"Before I had ordered How to Write Your Artist Resume and Biography I was making many mistakes and not promoting myself as well as I could. Your E-Doc showed me how to do it the right way. I now feel more confident that I am more professional. Even my dealer was impressed and she noticed a big improvement" ~ Betsy
