Creating Your Profile
Creating Your Profile
Your profile is what organizations see when reviewing applications and what other artists see when browsing the platform. Here's how to set it up.
Choose your handle
Your handle is your unique username (like @jane-artist).
Requirements:
- Lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens, or periods only
- 3 to 30 characters
- Must be unique
- 30-day wait between changes
Good handles: @maria-sculptor, @john.painter, @artstudio2024
Avoid: Numbers only, generic names like @artist, random characters like @x7k9m2p
Choose carefully
You can change your handle later, but there's a 30-day cooldown. People trying to find you may get confused by frequent changes.
Set your disciplines
Disciplines help organizations find artists with specific expertise.
- Click the Disciplines field
- Select up to 5 that match your practice: Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Digital Art, Performance, Installation, etc.
- Include both primary and secondary areas if you work across media
Write your artist statement
Your statement introduces your work to viewers. Aim for 2-3 paragraphs (under 2000 characters).
What to include:
- What you make
- Why you make it
- How you work (materials, process)
- What ideas drive your practice
Writing tips:
- Be specific—avoid vague phrases like "I explore themes"
- Use first person ("I create..." not "The artist creates...")
- Describe your work concretely
- Revise as your practice evolves
Example:
My work investigates memory and place through large-scale installations using found objects, textiles, and archival materials. Growing up in a post-industrial city shaped my interest in forgotten spaces and overlooked histories.
I transform discarded materials into contemplative environments. Each piece starts with research into the site's history, then collecting and recontextualizing objects that carry traces of past use.
Through these installations, I ask viewers to consider what we preserve, what we discard, and how memory shapes our understanding of place.
Add biographical information
Optional fields:
- Birth year — Helps organizations understand your career stage
- Birth city — Adds context
- Headline — One line like "Multimedia Artist | Installation Specialist"
Location:
- City, state/province, and country
- Helps organizations find local artists
- You can hide this from your public profile if you prefer privacy
Set visibility
Control who sees your profile:
- Public — Anyone can view it. Best if you want to be discovered. Your profile appears in search.
- Private — Only you see it. Good if you just want to apply to opportunities. Organizations still see your profile when reviewing applications.
- Unlisted — Only people with the direct link can view it. Doesn't appear in search.
Upload profile images
Profile photo:
- Recommended: 400×400 pixels
- Formats: JPG, PNG, WebP
- Max size: 5MB
- Use a clear image—your face, your work, or your studio
Banner image:
- Recommended: 1600×400 pixels
- Appears at the top of your profile page
- Great place to show your work or studio space
Add social links
Connect your online presence: Instagram, website, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, etc.
Only add links you want organizations to see. If your personal social media is casual, consider separate accounts for your art practice.
Review and publish
- Click Preview Profile to see how it looks to others
- Check for typos, verify links work, confirm images display correctly
- Click Publish Profile when ready
You can update your profile anytime as your practice develops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's next
- Building Your Portfolio — Add works to showcase your practice
- Creating Your CV — Build a professional artist CV
- Applying to Opportunities — Find and apply to opportunities
Topics
Related Tutorials
Best Practices
Best practices for artists and organizations on Artsume: profile optimization, portfolio presentation, application strategies, and review processes.
Customization
Customize your Artsume experience: profile settings, organization branding, form templates, and email preferences.
Quick Start Guide
Set up your Artsume account, add portfolio works, and apply to your first opportunity. A 10-minute walkthrough for new artists.