Quick Start Guide

Quick Start Guide

Create your account, add your first portfolio work, and submit an application. This takes about 10 minutes.

Create your account

1. Go to the Artsume homepage and click Sign Up
2. Choose how to sign up: email/password, Google, or another provider
3. Verify your email by clicking the link in your inbox
4. Select your role (Artist or Organization)

Set up your profile

After signing up, you'll create your artist profile.

Choose your handle

Your handle is your unique username (like @jane-artist). It must be lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens, or periods. You can change it later, but there's a 30-day wait between changes.

Add your disciplines

Select the disciplines that match your practice: Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Digital Art, and so on. You can pick multiple.

Write your artist statement

This is a short description of your work that appears on your public profile. Two to three paragraphs works well. Need help? See our guide to writing artist statements.

Set visibility

Choose who sees your profile:

• Public — Anyone can view it
• Private — Only you can see it
• Unlisted — Only people with the direct link

→ Full guide: Creating Your Profile

Add your first portfolio work

1. Go to Portfolio from your dashboard
2. Click Add New Work
3. Upload your main image (JPG, PNG, or WebP, max 10MB, at least 1200px wide)
4. Fill in the details: title, year, medium, dimensions, and description
5. Add up to 2 more images if needed
6. Click Save Work

For best results, use high-quality images with good lighting. Include multiple angles for sculpture or 3D work.

→ Full guide: Building Your Portfolio

Find opportunities

1. Click Explore in the navigation
2. Filter by type (grants, residencies, exhibitions), discipline, location, or deadline
3. Click an opportunity to see eligibility, required materials, and deadlines

Submit an application

1. From the opportunity page, click Apply Now
2. Fill out all required fields: personal info, application questions, and portfolio selections
3. Select which portfolio works to include

4. Review everything, then click Submit Application
5. You'll get a confirmation email

→ Full guide: Applying to Opportunities

Track your applications

Go to My Applications from your dashboard. Each application shows its status:

• Draft — Not yet submitted
• Submitted — Successfully sent
• Under Review — Being evaluated
• Shortlisted — Selected for further consideration
• Accepted — You got in
• Not Selected — This one didn't work out

Click any application to see details and updates.

→ Full guide: Managing Applications

Your dashboard

Your dashboard shows your stats (applications, portfolio works), recent activity, upcoming deadlines, and quick actions like adding new work.

Next steps

Now that you're set up, explore these guides to get more from Artsume:

• Creating Your Profile — Add more details, a banner image, and social links
• Building Your Portfolio — Add more works and organize by series
• Creating Your CV — Build a professional artist CV
• Best Practices — Tips for stronger applications

Ready to find opportunities? Browse open calls, grants, and residencies →