Preparing an Arts and Cultural CV or Resume - Guides | Artsumé
Guide13 min read
Preparing an Arts and Cultural CV or Resume
A comprehensive guide to creating an arts and cultural CV that effectively presents your training, activities, and professional experience to galleries, grant committees, and arts organizations.
A comprehensive guide to creating an arts and cultural CV that effectively presents your training, activities, and professional experience to galleries, grant committees, and arts organizations.
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This guide is adapted from the Canada Council for the Arts' official guide on preparing an arts and cultural CV. For the original resource, visit the Canada Council for the Arts website. We've expanded and adapted their excellent framework to help artists build professional CVs for all types of opportunities, not just Canada Council grants.
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Quick Answer
An arts CV is 2-20+ pages and focuses on exhibitions, awards, and creative achievements (different from a traditional resume)
Use reverse chronological order, italicize exhibition titles, and maintain consistent formatting throughout
Include sections for public presentations, training (formal and informal), community collaboration, and work experience
Never include prices, sales information, or personal details like SIN/SSN on your arts CV
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Key Takeaways
Arts CVs are living documents that grow with your career—update them immediately after completing projects
Include both formal education and informal training (workshops, mentorships, self-directed learning)
Public presentations section is often the most substantial—list exhibitions, performances, screenings, and installations
Community collaboration activities demonstrate engagement and collaborative skills valued by grant committees
Formatting matters: use professional fonts (Times New Roman, Garamond, Helvetica) at 11-12pt and always export as PDF
Maintain one master CV with all details, then create focused versions for specific applications
Apply for teaching positions or arts administration roles
Your CV serves as your professional calling card in the arts world. It tells your story, demonstrates your experience, and shows how your work fits within the broader cultural landscape.
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Ready to build your CV? Create your free Artsumé account and start building your professional arts CV in minutes. Our platform automatically formats everything according to industry standards.
Unlike a traditional resume, an arts and cultural CV focuses on your creative practice, artistic achievements, and cultural contributions rather than just employment history. It's a living document that grows with your career and should be updated regularly.
Start your CV with essential identifying information:
Include:
Your full name, and any professional name or alias you use
Links to your arts and cultural website
Links to relevant social media accounts (Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Do not include:
Personal information such as your social insurance number (SIN) or social security number
Personal phone numbers, email addresses, or mailing addresses (unless specifically requested)
Date of birth or age
Marital status or other personal details
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Never include sensitive personal information like your SIN or social security number. If you're applying through Artsumé, your contact information is handled securely through your profile—you don't need to include it on your CV document.
Begin with a brief summary (no more than 250 words) that tells your story. This section helps readers quickly understand your practice and background. Consider including:
The type of arts and cultural work you do
Your field of practice (discipline), themes you work with, or the focus of your artistic activities
How you began your arts and cultural activities
Areas where you have specialized skills and knowledge
Key moments that shaped your journey or accomplishments you're proud of
The communities you work with or the public you want to reach
Information about how your practice, community, or region impacts your work
Training and learning in the arts can take many forms, both formal and informal. This section recognizes that artistic development happens in diverse ways:
Formal education:
College or university degrees (BFA, MFA, BA, MA, PhD)
Post-baccalaureate programs
Certificate programs
Continuing education courses
Informal and alternative learning:
Self-directed learning through online tutorials or courses
Webinars and workshops
Apprenticeships or learning on the job
Mentorships with established artists
Learning under the guidance of an Elder, family member, or community member
Artsumé's CV builder includes dedicated sections for both formal education and informal training. You can add workshops, mentorships, and self-directed learning alongside your degrees—all formatted consistently for you.
Artistic and Cultural Work Presented to the Public#
This is often the most substantial section of your CV. List all public presentations of your artistic and cultural work, including but not limited to:
Recordings, releases, and performances
Presentations, exhibitions, installations, screenings, and curatorial projects
Published work and readings
Public art installations
Online exhibitions and digital presentations
Open studios and studio visits
Keep listings concise but informative. Include as much of the following information as is relevant:
When was the work presented? (Year, or month and year)
What was the title of the work?
What was the type of presentation? (Exhibition, screening, performance, etc.)
What was your role? (Artist, curator, performer, etc.)
Where was the work presented and by whom? (Gallery name, venue, city, curator if applicable)
Tips for presenting your work:
Use reverse chronological order (most recent first)
Italicize exhibition and work titles
Clearly indicate when you received an artist fee ("paid artist fee")
Note when work was selected by a curator ("curated by [Name]")
Group independent works together under a heading like "Independent Projects" or "Self-Organized Exhibitions"
For group exhibitions, list your name among the participating artists
Include both physical and online exhibitions
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When you build your CV on Artsumé, all exhibition titles are automatically italicized, entries are sorted chronologically, and formatting is consistent throughout. You can focus on the content while we handle the presentation.
This section highlights activities that bring artists and community members together as creative partners. These collaborations demonstrate your engagement with communities and your ability to work collaboratively.
List any activities you have organized, worked on, or participated in, including:
Community art projects
Public workshops and educational programs
Collaborative installations
Social practice art projects
Community-based residencies
Participatory art events
Arts programming for underserved communities
Include as much of the following information as is relevant:
When did the activity take place?
What was the activity?
What was your role? (Lead artist, collaborator, facilitator, etc.)
Who were the participating community members or partners?
The easiest way to ensure perfect formatting? Build your CV on Artsumé. We handle all the formatting details—font choices, spacing, italics, and more—so you can focus on your content. Export to PDF anytime with one click.
Be honest and accurate: Only include verifiable information
Be selective: Focus on the most relevant and impressive entries
Be consistent: Use the same formatting and style throughout
Be specific: Include details that demonstrate the scope and impact of your work
Be professional: Your CV represents you—make sure it's polished and error-free
Remember, your arts and cultural CV tells the story of your creative journey. Take the time to present it thoughtfully, and it will serve as a powerful tool in advancing your career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlike a traditional resume, an arts CV can be 2-20+ pages depending on your career stage. Emerging artists typically have 2-4 pages, while established artists may have 10+ pages. Focus on quality and relevance over length.
Join thousands of artists who use Artsumé to build, maintain, and share their professional arts CVs. Our platform follows CAA standards and industry best practices, so your CV will always look professional.
