The Complete Guide to Artist CVs: CAA Format, Templates & Examples
Create a professional artist CV using CAA format. Free templates, section breakdown, and examples for emerging to established artists.
The Complete Guide to Artist CVs: CAA Format, Templates & Examples
Your artist CV is more than a list of accomplishments - it's your professional narrative. Whether you're applying to galleries, grants, academic positions, or residencies, a well-crafted CV following the College Art Association (CAA) standard format can open doors that talent alone cannot.
This complete guide covers everything you need to create a professional artist CV that meets industry standards and showcases your unique artistic journey.
Quick Answer
- An artist CV differs from a resume: it's longer, grows throughout your career, and uses reverse chronological order within each section
- The CAA (College Art Association) format is the gold standard for US galleries, museums, and academic institutions
- Key sections include: Contact Info, Education, Solo Exhibitions, Group Exhibitions, Collections, Bibliography, Awards/Grants, and Related Experience
- Your CV should be clean, consistent, and tailored to each opportunity type
Key Takeaways
- Artist CV vs Resume: CVs are complete (2-20+ pages) and grow over time; resumes are concise (1-2 pages) and fixed
- CAA Format: The College Art Association standard is recognized by galleries, museums, and universities across North America
- Section Order: Solo exhibitions typically come before group shows; education before exhibitions for emerging artists
- Formatting Rules: Use consistent fonts, italicize artwork titles, and include city/country for all venues
- Living Document: Update your CV immediately after completing projects - don't wait for application season
Artist CV Section Priority
| Section | Priority | When to Include |
|---|---|---|
| Contact Information | Required | Always at top |
| Education | Required | Degrees and training |
| Solo Exhibitions | Required | When you have any |
| Group Exhibitions | Required | When you have any |
| Awards/Grants | High | Shows recognition |
| Residencies | High | Shows commitment |
| Collections | Medium | Notable collections |
| Publications | Medium | Reviews, catalogs |
What Is an Artist CV?
An artist CV (curriculum vitae) is a complete record of your professional artistic life. Unlike a traditional resume that summarizes qualifications for a specific job, an artist CV documents your entire creative career - every exhibition, award, publication, and professional activity.
The word "curriculum vitae" means "course of life" in Latin, which perfectly describes its purpose: to tell the story of your artistic development and achievements over time.
Your artist CV serves multiple purposes in the art world:
- Professional documentation - It's the official record of your artistic career
- Credibility builder - Demonstrates your track record to galleries and curators
- Grant requirement - Nearly all grants and fellowships require a CV
- Academic necessity - Essential for teaching positions and visiting artist roles
- Historical record - Preserves the details you might otherwise forget
Artist CV vs Resume: Key Differences
Many artists confuse CVs and resumes, but they serve different purposes in different contexts.
| Aspect | Artist CV | Resume |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 2-20+ pages (grows over career) | 1-2 pages (fixed) |
| Content | Comprehensive artistic record | Targeted skills summary |
| Time Scope | Entire career | Last 10-15 years |
| Focus | Exhibitions, awards, creative work | Job-relevant experience |
| Updates | Ongoing (add everything) | Per-application (selective) |
| Audience | Art world (galleries, grants, museums) | Employers, HR departments |
When to use an artist CV:
- Gallery submissions and exhibition applications
- Grant and fellowship applications
- Academic positions (teaching, visiting artist)
- Museum acquisitions and collection submissions
- Press and publication requests
- Artist residency applications
- Curatorial opportunities
When to use a resume:
- Non-art jobs (even related ones like museum administration)
- Commercial design positions
- Part-time work outside the arts
- Positions that specifically request a resume
- Corporate or business contexts
The CAA Standard Format
The College Art Association (CAA) is the leading professional organization for artists, art historians, and visual arts professionals. Their CV format has become the industry standard across North American galleries, museums, and academic institutions.
Founded in 1911, the CAA sets professional standards that the art world relies on. When you follow CAA format, you're speaking the same professional language as curators, gallerists, and grant reviewers.
Why CAA Format Matters
Using CAA format signals professionalism. When a gallerist or curator reviews hundreds of applications, a properly formatted CV:
- Shows you understand the industry - You know the professional norms
- Makes information easy to find - Reviewers can quickly locate what they need
- Demonstrates attention to detail - A skill that matters in creative work
- Creates consistency - Your CV will match other professional artists' documents
- Reduces friction - Reviewers don't have to translate unusual formats
Core CAA Sections (In Order)
The standard CAA format includes these sections in this order. Note that not all sections apply to every artist - only include sections where you have entries.
- Contact Information
- Education
- Solo Exhibitions
- Group Exhibitions
- Collections (Public and Private)
- Bibliography (Publications, Reviews, Catalogs)
- Awards, Grants, and Honors
- Residencies
- Teaching and Lectures
- Related Professional Experience
- Commissions (if applicable)
- Public Art (if applicable)
Section-by-Section Breakdown
1. Contact Information
Your CV should begin with essential contact details, clearly formatted at the top. This section should be immediately visible and professionally presented.
Include:
- Full legal name (as you want it to appear professionally)
- City and state/province (full address not required)
- Email address (professional, ideally yourname@domain)
- Website URL (essential in today's art world)
- Phone number (optional but recommended)
Format Example:
JANE SMITH
Brooklyn, NY | janesmith@email.com | janesmith.com
Privacy Note
Never include your full street address, Social Security number, birth date, or personal details like marital status on your artist CV. This information is not relevant to your professional qualifications and raises privacy concerns.
2. Education
List your formal education in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Include the degree, field of study, institution, city, state/country, and graduation year.
Format:
MFA, Painting, Yale School of Art, New Haven, CT, 2019
BFA, Studio Art, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL, 2015
Certificate in Printmaking, Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC, 2013
What to Include:
- Graduate degrees (MFA, MA, PhD)
- Undergraduate degrees (BFA, BA, BS)
- Significant certificate programs from recognized institutions
- Relevant continuing education from established programs
What to Exclude:
- High school education
- Workshops (put these in a separate section)
- Incomplete degrees (unless currently enrolled)
- Online courses (unless from prestigious institutions)
If you're currently enrolled, write: "MFA Candidate, Painting, [School], Expected 2026"
3. Solo Exhibitions
Solo exhibitions are your most important credential as a visual artist. They demonstrate that a gallery or institution believed in your work enough to dedicate their entire space to it.
Format:
2024 *New Horizons*, Blue Gallery, New York, NY
2023 *Material Investigations*, Space One, Los Angeles, CA
2022 *First Light*, Project Room, Gallery Name, Chicago, IL
Formatting Rules:
- Italicize exhibition titles (this is standard CAA practice)
- Include full venue name, city, and state/country
- Use consistent date formatting (year only, or month/year)
- List in reverse chronological order
- Distinguish between exhibitions in commercial galleries vs. alternative spaces if desired
What Counts as "Solo":
- Single-artist exhibitions
- Two-person shows (some artists list these separately as "Two-Person Exhibitions")
- Project rooms or dedicated installations
- Solo presentations at art fairs
4. Group Exhibitions
Group exhibitions demonstrate that curators and institutions have selected your work to be shown alongside other artists. They show you're participating in broader art world conversations.
Format:
2024 *Emerging Voices*, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL
*Summer Group Show*, Blue Gallery, New York, NY
2023 *Annual Juried Exhibition*, Art Center, Denver, CO
*New Acquisitions*, Private Collection, San Francisco, CA
Organization Options:
- Strictly reverse chronological (most common)
- Separated by venue type (Museums, Galleries, Alternative Spaces)
- Separated by geography (International, National, Regional)
- Curated selections with "(selected)" in section header
For extensive exhibition histories, consider listing only selected group exhibitions with "(selected)" noted in the section header. This is standard practice for established artists.
5. Collections
List public and private collections that have acquired your work. This demonstrates market validation, institutional recognition, and the longevity of your work.
Format:
Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA
Progressive Art Collection, Cleveland, OH
Private collections in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan
Guidelines:
- List public collections (museums, universities, corporations) by name
- For private collections, you may list by collector name if permission granted
- Or simply note "Private collection, [City/Country]"
- Some artists group private collections: "Private collections in [countries]"
- List in order of prestige or alphabetically - pick one and be consistent
6. Bibliography
Document all publications that feature your work - articles, reviews, catalogs, and mentions. This section shows critical engagement with your work.
Format:
Smith, John. "Rising Stars in Contemporary Art." *Art Forum*, March 2024.
Jones, Sarah. Exhibition catalog essay. *Solo Show Title*. Gallery Name, 2023.
"Best of 2023." *Hyperallergic*, December 2023.
Interview by Maria Garcia. *Art Monthly*, Issue 42, Fall 2023.
What to Include:
- Published reviews of your exhibitions
- Feature articles about your work
- Exhibition catalog essays
- Interviews (print, online, podcast)
- Significant blog features from recognized publications
- Books that feature your work
Formatting Notes:
- Use consistent citation style (Chicago style is common in art)
- Italicize publication and book names
- Include author name when known
- Note if you wrote the piece yourself
- Include page numbers for print publications (optional)
7. Awards, Grants & Honors
Recognition from foundations, institutions, and competitions validates your work externally. This section demonstrates that others have invested in your career.
Format:
2024 Artist Fellowship, Jerome Foundation, Minneapolis, MN
2023 First Prize, Juried Competition, Museum Name, City
2022 Grant for Individual Artists, City Arts Council, $10,000
2021 Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant
What to Include:
- Grants and fellowships received (funded)
- Competition awards and prizes
- Honorable mentions from prestigious competitions
- Artist-in-residence selections (or list separately under Residencies)
- Nominations for major awards (e.g., "Nominated for Turner Prize, 2024")
- Scholarships for educational programs
Note on Amounts: Including grant amounts is optional. Some artists include them to demonstrate funding level; others prefer not to.
8. Residencies
Artist residencies show that competitive programs have invested in your development. They demonstrate your ability to work in new environments and engage with communities.
Format:
2024 Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Madison, ME (Summer)
2023 MacDowell, Peterborough, NH (6 weeks)
2022 Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Omaha, NE (3 months)
Include:
- Program name
- Location (city, state/country)
- Duration or dates
- Any notable outcomes (exhibition, publication, commission)
9. Teaching & Lectures
Academic and educational activities demonstrate expertise, mentorship abilities, and community engagement.
Format:
2023-Present Adjunct Instructor, Foundation Drawing, University Name, City
2023 Visiting Artist Lecture, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL
2022 Workshop Leader, "Introduction to Encaustic," Art Center, City
2022 Visiting Critic, MFA Program, School Name, City
Categories to Include:
- Academic positions (full-time, adjunct, visiting)
- Visiting artist lectures and talks
- Workshops taught
- Critiques and studio visits at educational institutions
- Jury and review panel participation
- Guest lectures in courses
10. Related Professional Experience
Include relevant experience that isn't purely artistic but demonstrates professional competence and art world engagement.
What to Include:
- Museum or gallery employment
- Arts administration positions
- Curatorial projects
- Art handling or installation work
- Fabrication experience
- Studio assistant positions (especially for well-known artists)
- Art-related freelance work
Formatting Best Practices
Typography
Your CV should be easy to read and professional in appearance.
Recommended Fonts:
- Serif: Times New Roman, Garamond, Georgia, Baskerville
- Sans-serif: Helvetica, Arial, Calibri, Avenir
Size: 10-12pt for body text; your name can be slightly larger (14-16pt)
Margins: 0.75" to 1" on all sides
Line Spacing: 1.15 to 1.5 for readability
Consistency Rules
Consistency is the hallmark of a professional CV. Apply these rules throughout:
- Dates: Pick a format and stick with it (2024 or January 2024 or 01/2024)
- Locations: Always include city and state/country for every entry
- Titles: Always italicize exhibition and artwork titles
- Spacing: Use consistent spacing between entries and sections
- Alignment: Left-align text; optionally right-align dates
- Section headers: Use the same formatting for all headers
File Format
Always submit as PDF unless otherwise specified. PDF preserves formatting across devices and operating systems, prevents accidental editing, and looks professional.
File naming convention: LastName_FirstName_CV_2024.pdf or LastName_CV.pdf
Never submit as a Word document, Google Doc, or other editable format unless specifically requested.
CV Examples by Career Stage
Different career stages call for different CV strategies. Here's how to approach your CV based on where you are in your career.
Emerging Artist (0-5 Years Post-Education)
Recommended Section Order:
- Contact Information
- Education (your primary credential)
- Group Exhibitions
- Awards/Grants/Scholarships
- Residencies
- Related Experience
Tips for Emerging Artists:
- Education is your primary credential - keep it near the top
- Include student exhibitions and thesis shows
- List scholarships and academic awards (they count!)
- Include relevant part-time work (gallery assistant, art handler, etc.)
- Don't pad with irrelevant information - quality over quantity
- A 1-2 page CV is perfectly acceptable
Mid-Career Artist (5-15 Years)
Recommended Section Order:
- Contact Information
- Education
- Solo Exhibitions
- Group Exhibitions (selected)
- Collections
- Awards/Grants
- Bibliography
- Teaching
Tips for Mid-Career Artists:
- Solo exhibitions should now precede group shows
- Begin curating your group exhibitions (list "selected" shows)
- Collections section becomes increasingly important
- Bibliography should be growing
- Teaching and lectures demonstrate expertise
- 3-6 pages is typical
Established Artist (15+ Years)
Recommended Section Order:
- Contact Information
- Solo Exhibitions (selected)
- Group Exhibitions (selected)
- Collections
- Bibliography
- Awards/Grants
- Education
Tips for Established Artists:
- Education moves toward the bottom (experience matters more now)
- "Selected" exhibitions are expected - no need to list everything
- Collections and bibliography become primary credentials
- Consider a brief artist statement or project summary at the top
- May be 10-20+ pages for active careers
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Formatting Errors
- Inconsistent dates - Mixing "2024," "Jan 2024," and "January 2024" looks sloppy
- Missing locations - Every venue needs city and state/country
- Wrong italics - Exhibition titles should be italicized, not venue names
- Poor hierarchy - Section headers should be clearly distinguishable from entries
- Typos and errors - Have someone else proofread before submitting
- Bad file names - "CV final final v2 (1).docx" is not professional
Content Mistakes
- Including prices or sales information - Never appropriate on an artist CV
- Listing every group show - After 10+ shows, curate for relevance
- Exaggerating credentials - Easily verified; damages reputation permanently
- Including personal information - Age, marital status, children not relevant
- Forgetting to update - Outdated CVs suggest inactive practice
- Padding with irrelevant entries - Quality over quantity always
Strategic Errors
- One-size-fits-all approach - Tailor section emphasis to each opportunity type
- No website - Include your URL so reviewers can see images
- Sending Word documents - Always PDF unless specifically requested
- Ignoring instructions - Follow application guidelines exactly
- No contact information - Make it easy for people to reach you
How Artsume Simplifies Artist CVs
Building and maintaining an artist CV can be time-consuming. Every time you complete a project, you need to update your CV - and then remember to do it consistently across all your application materials.
Artsume automatically generates CAA-formatted CVs from your profile entries. When you add an exhibition, award, or education entry to your Artsume profile, your CV updates automatically.
Benefits of using Artsume for your CV:
- Always current - Update once, reflect everywhere
- Proper formatting - CAA standard format applied automatically
- Multiple versions - Generate tailored CVs for different applications
- Integrated applications - Apply to opportunities with your CV already attached
- Professional presentation - Consistent, clean formatting every time
- Time savings - No more manual formatting and reformatting
Create Your Artist CV with Artsume
Join thousands of artists managing their CVs and applications in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Next Steps
Your artist CV is a living document that will grow and evolve throughout your career. Start with a clean template, follow CAA formatting standards, and update regularly. With a professional CV in hand, you'll be ready to pursue opportunities with confidence.
Ready to streamline your artist CV? Create your free Artsume account and let us handle the formatting while you focus on making art.
Last updated: January 2025
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