Creating Your Profile#

Your artist profile is your professional presence on Artsumé. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every aspect of creating and maintaining a compelling profile.

Introduction#

Your Artsumé profile serves as your digital portfolio card and professional identity. It's what organizations see when reviewing your applications and what other artists see when exploring the platform. A well-crafted profile increases your chances of being discovered and selected for opportunities.

Prerequisites#

Before creating your profile, gather:

• Your artistic disciplines and practice areas
• A professional artist statement (2-3 paragraphs)
• A profile photo or avatar (optional but recommended)
• Your basic biographical information
• Links to your website and social media (optional)

Step 1: Access Profile Settings#

1. Log in to your Artsumé account
2. Click on your avatar in the top right corner
3. Select "Profile" from the dropdown menu
4. Alternatively, navigate to "Settings" → "Profile"

Step 2: Choose Your Handle#

Your handle is your unique identifier on Artsumé (e.g., @jane-artist).

Handle Requirements#

• Must be lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens (-), or periods (.)
• Must be between 3 and 30 characters
• Cannot contain spaces or special characters
• Must be unique across the platform
• Can only be changed once every 30 days

Choosing a Good Handle#

Good Examples:

• @maria-sculptor
• @john.painter
• @artstudio2024

Avoid:

• Numbers only (e.g., @12345)
• Too generic (e.g., @artist)
• Hard to remember (e.g., @x7k9m2p)

Step 3: Set Your Disciplines#

Disciplines help categorize your artistic practice and make you discoverable.

1. Click the "Disciplines" field

2. Select all disciplines that apply to your work:

   • Painting
   • Sculpture
   • Photography
   • Digital Art
   • Performance Art
   • Installation
   • And many more...

3. You can select up to 5 disciplines

4. Consider both your primary and secondary practices

Step 4: Write Your Artist Statement#

Your artist statement is a crucial part of your profile. It introduces your work to viewers.

Statement Structure#

A good artist statement typically includes:

1. What you make: Brief description of your work
2. Why you make it: Your motivations and inspirations
3. How you make it: Your process and materials
4. What it means: The concepts and ideas behind your work

Writing Tips#

• Be specific: Avoid generic phrases like "I explore themes"
• Show, don't tell: Describe your work concretely
• Keep it concise: Aim for 2-3 paragraphs (max 2000 characters)
• Write in first person: Use "I" statements
• Revise: Your statement can evolve as your practice develops

Example Artist Statement#

"My work investigates the intersection of memory and place through large-scale installations that incorporate found objects, textiles, and archival materials. Drawing from my experiences growing up in a post-industrial city, I create immersive environments that invite viewers to reconsider their relationship with forgotten spaces and overlooked histories.

Using techniques learned from my background in textile arts and sculpture, I transform discarded materials into contemplative spaces. Each piece begins with extensive research into the site's history, followed by a process of collecting, sorting, and recontextualizing materials that carry traces of past use.

Through these installations, I aim to create moments of pause and reflection, asking viewers to consider what we preserve, what we discard, and how memory shapes our understanding of place."

Step 5: Add Biographical Information#

Basic Information#

1. Birth Year (optional): Helps organizations understand career stage
2. Birth City (optional): Adds context to your practice
3. Headline (optional): A one-line description (e.g., "Multimedia Artist | Installation Specialist")

Location Information#

Add your current location:

• City: Your current city
• State/Province: State or province
• Country: Your country

Step 6: Set Profile Visibility#

Control who can see your profile:

1. Navigate to "Visibility Settings"

2. Choose your preferred visibility:

   • Public: Anyone can view your profile

     • Best for: Artists seeking opportunities and exposure
     • Your profile appears in search results

   • Private: Only you can see it

     • Best for: Artists who only want to apply to opportunities
     • Organizations can still see your profile when reviewing applications

   • Unlisted: Only people with the direct link can view it

     • Best for: Artists who want selective sharing
     • Your profile won't appear in search results

Step 7: Add Profile Images#

Profile Photo#

1. Click "Upload Photo" in the profile section

2. Choose an image file:

   • Recommended size: 400x400 pixels
   • Supported formats: JPG, PNG, WebP
   • Maximum file size: 5MB

3. Crop and adjust as needed

4. Click "Save"

Tips for Profile Photos:

• Use a clear, professional image
• Consider using a photo of your work or studio
• Ensure good lighting and composition
• Avoid cluttered backgrounds

Banner Image#

The banner appears at the top of your profile page:

1. Click "Upload Banner"
2. Recommended size: 1600x400 pixels
3. This is a great place to showcase your work or studio

Step 8: Add Social Media Links#

Connect your online presence:

1. Scroll to "Social Media" section

2. Click "Add Link"

3. Select the platform:

   • Instagram
   • Facebook
   • Twitter/X
   • LinkedIn
   • Website
   • Other

4. Enter your profile URL

5. Click "Save"

Step 9: Profile Completion Checklist#

Use this checklist to ensure your profile is complete:

• Handle selected and confirmed
• At least one discipline selected
• Artist statement written (2-3 paragraphs)
• Basic biographical information added
• Visibility settings configured
• Profile photo uploaded
• Banner image uploaded (optional but recommended)
• Social media links added (optional)
• Profile reviewed for typos and clarity

Step 10: Preview and Publish#

Before making your profile public:

1. Click "Preview Profile" to see how it looks to others

2. Review all sections:

   • Check for typos
   • Verify links work
   • Ensure images display correctly
   • Confirm visibility settings

3. Make any necessary edits

4. Click "Publish Profile" when ready

Examples#

Example: Complete Profile#

Handle: @sarah-photographer

Disciplines: Photography, Digital Art

Headline: "Documentary Photographer | Visual Storyteller"

Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA

Statement: "I create photographic narratives that explore urban environments and the communities that inhabit them. My work combines traditional documentary photography with contemporary digital techniques to tell stories of resilience, adaptation, and transformation in rapidly changing cities."

Visibility: Public

Portfolio Works: 15

Social Links: Instagram, Website, LinkedIn

Example: Minimal Profile#

Handle: @artist-john

Disciplines: Painting

Statement: Brief 2-paragraph statement

Visibility: Unlisted

Portfolio Works: 5

This minimal approach works if you prefer to let your portfolio speak for itself.

Troubleshooting#

Next Steps#

After creating your profile:

1. Add Portfolio Works: Showcase your artistic practice with portfolio pieces
2. Create Your CV: Build a comprehensive artist CV
3. Explore Opportunities: Start finding opportunities that match your practice
4. Read More Guides:
   • Building Your Portfolio
   • Creating Your CV
   • Applying to Opportunities

Related Resources#

• Profile Best Practices

Your profile is the foundation of your Artsumé presence. Take time to make it compelling and accurate. You can always update it as your practice evolves!