Join the remote work revolution
Himalayas is the best remote job board. Join over 250,000+ job seekers finding remote jobs at top companies worldwide.
Free, customizable, and printable Artist samples and templates for 2026. Unlock unlimited access to our AI resume builder for just $9/month and elevate your job applications effortlessly. Generating your first resume is free.
Upgrade to Himalayas Plus and turbocharge your job search.
Upgrade to unlock Himalayas' premium features and turbocharge your job search.
Dynamic and visionary Art Director with over 10 years of experience in advertising and design. Proven track record of leading successful campaigns and creative projects that resonate with audiences and drive brand success. Skilled at collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver outstanding visual concepts.
Landing shows as an Artist can feel frustrating when you're up against many applicants. How do you present work so a curator notices it quickly? Hiring managers care about clear results, timelines, and reliable delivery rather than vague claims. Many artists focus on flashy layouts and buzzwords instead of listing dates and outcomes you can verify.
This guide will help you rewrite your resume to show measurable impact and clearer project descriptions. For example, change "painted murals" to "installed a 1,200 sq ft mural that drew 8,200 visitors." You'll get step-by-step edits for Exhibitions. Whether you're entry-level or mid-career, you'll finish with a resume that clearly shows what you do.
Pick the resume format that fits your career path and the job you want. Use chronological if you have steady gallery shows, residencies, or art jobs. This format lists your most recent work first.
Use a combination format if you want to highlight skills and projects above job titles. Use a functional layout only for big gaps or career shifts, and keep it simple.
Always use an ATS-friendly structure. Use clear section headings, simple fonts, and no columns, tables, or complex graphics. Put keywords from the job posting into your summary and experience.
Your summary tells hiring managers who you are and what you do in one short paragraph. Use a summary if you have art experience or a record of exhibitions and commissions.
Use an objective if you are entry-level, switching careers, or recently graduated. Tailor the objective to the role and show intent.
Strong summary formula: '[Years of experience] + [Specialization] + [Key skills] + [Top achievement]'.
Match words in your summary to the job listing. That helps both hiring managers and ATS parsing.
Innovative Artist with over 10 years of experience in contemporary art, focusing on abstraction and mixed media. Participated in numerous exhibitions and installations, showcasing a unique artistic vision that resonates with diverse audiences.
emily.tan@example.com
+65 9123 4567
• Adobe Photoshop
• Blender
• 3D Modeling
• Concept Art
• Animation
• Character Design
Creative and detail-oriented Junior Artist with a passion for creating immersive and visually stunning art in the gaming industry. Proficient in both 2D and 3D art creation, with experience collaborating in a team-oriented environment to deliver high-quality visual assets.
Focused on 2D and 3D animation, character design, and digital painting. Completed a capstone project that received recognition at the college's annual exhibition.
Paris, France • claire.dubois@example.fr • +33 6 12 34 56 78 • himalayas.app/@clairedubois
Technical: Art Direction, Character & Environment Design, Unreal Engine, PBR Texturing, Team Leadership
London, UK • emily.carter.art@protonmail.com • +44 7700 900123 • himalayas.app/@emilycarter
Technical: ZBrush, Substance 3D Painter, Maya, Unreal Engine, PBR Workflow
Experienced artist (summary): "10+ years as a mixed-media artist focusing on public murals and installations. Skilled in large-scale painting, project management, and community outreach. Led a city mural program that engaged 12 neighborhoods and reached 50,000 viewers."
Why this works: It states years, specialization, key skills, and a measurable achievement. The language matches gallery and arts program listings.
Entry-level / career changer (objective): "Recent BFA graduate seeking a studio assistant role. Trained in acrylics, model making, and digital design. Eager to support installation crews and learn gallery operations."
Why this works: It shows intent, relevant skills, and willingness to learn. The objective ties education to the job role.
"Creative artist with strong visual skills seeking opportunities to grow and collaborate on projects."
Why this fails: It uses vague words like 'creative' and 'grow.' It lacks years, a clear focus, and any measurable result. It misses keywords like 'public art' or 'installation.'
List jobs in reverse-chronological order. Show Job Title, Organization, Location, and dates. Add 3–6 bullet points for each role.
Start bullets with strong action verbs. For artists, use verbs like 'conceived,' 'installed,' or 'secured.' Use metrics whenever you can.
Quantify impact: list audience numbers, budget sizes, commissions, grant amounts, or wall sizes. Compare results like 'increased attendance by 30%.' Use the STAR method to structure stories when you need depth.
Also include freelance projects as roles. Put client or venue names and short results for each project. Keep bullets concise and keyword-rich for ATS.
"Conceived and led a 10-panel mural series for the Main Street Corridor. Managed a $18,000 budget, led a team of four assistants, and completed the project two weeks early. Program drew 8,200 visitors during the first month."
Why this works: It opens with a clear action verb, shows scope and budget, lists team management, and provides a measurable audience result. Recruiters and ATS see key terms.
"Painted murals for community projects and worked with volunteers to complete pieces across the city."
Why this fails: It describes duties but lacks numbers, budgets, or outcomes. It misses concrete results and measurable impact an employer can evaluate.
Include school name, degree, location, and graduation year. For recent grads, add GPA, relevant courses, and honors when they support your art practice.
Experienced artists can keep the education section brief. Move certificates and residencies to a separate section if they matter more than the degree.
List art residencies and certificate programs under education or a dedicated credentials area. Include dates and any grant or fellowship awards.
BFA, Painting and Drawing — Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI. Graduated 2016. Awarded the Student Choice Exhibition Prize, 2016.
Why this works: It shows degree, school, date, and an honor. The award adds credibility and helps a hiring manager scan for achievements.
Bachelor of Arts — State University. 2014.
Why this fails: It lists basics but lacks major, location, or relevant honors. It misses details that link education to your artistic skill set.
Use these impactful action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities:
Consider adding Projects, Residencies, Grants, Publications, or Languages. Pick items that prove your process and reach.
Projects and residencies show focus. Grants and awards show external validation. Publications and teaching show influence. Keep entries concise and results-oriented.
Public Art Project — Downtown Mural Initiative, Bradtke-Jones Community Arts, 2022. Designed and installed a 1200 sq ft mural. Managed a $12,000 grant and a four-person crew. The mural increased foot traffic and local press coverage.
Why this works: It lists the project, the partner organization, budget, crew size, and clear outcomes. It proves leadership and community impact.
Residency — Local Arts Center, Summer 2019. Worked on new paintings and met other artists.
Why this fails: It notes participation but gives no results or specifics. It misses outcomes like exhibitions, community work, or grants that would show value.
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software tools that scan resumes for keywords and structure. They look for section titles, dates, skills, and certifications. They can reject a file if they can't read it.
For an Artist, ATS checks for keywords like "MFA", "BFA", "portfolio", "installation", "site-specific", "exhibition", "gallery", "curation", "residency", "grant", "oil painting", "acrylic", "mixed media", "sculpture", "Adobe Photoshop", and "Art Direction". Use those terms naturally in your text when they match your experience.
Common mistakes hurt your chances. You might swap exact keywords for creative synonyms. You might hide dates in headers or footers. You might omit critical skills like software or certifications. You might load your file with images of work instead of linking to an online portfolio. Those choices can stop ATS from finding your fit.
Keep entries concise. Lead with measurable details. Say "Solo exhibition at X, 2022" instead of vague claims. Link to an online portfolio URL in plain text. That helps both ATS and hiring teams read your history.
Skills
Oil painting; Acrylic; Mixed media; Sculpture; Installation; Site-specific work; Adobe Photoshop; Adobe Illustrator; Portfolio: http://portfolio.example.com
Work Experience
Resident Artist, Kunze, Crooks and O'Reilly — 2021–2023
Led a site-specific installation for the fall exhibit. Coordinated with curator Issac Glover on logistics and gallery layout. Wrote grant proposal that secured $12,000 for materials.
Why this works
This lists clear section titles. It uses role, employer, and dates on one line. It includes keywords like "site-specific", "installation", and software names. It shows a measurable result and a portfolio link in plain text.
| Creative CV |
| Selected Projects (see images) |
Recent Works
Worked with Lubowitz, Sipes and Ortiz on many projects. I make immersive experiences and have shown in several places. Images are embedded in the file.
Why this fails
ATS often cannot read tables or embedded images. The section title "Creative CV" hides standard headings. The text avoids exact keywords like "installation" and "portfolio URL". ATS may skip key details and not index your skills.
Pick a clean layout for an Artist role. Use reverse-chronological order if you have steady gallery shows, commissions, or arts jobs. Use a skills-first layout if you freelance or switch mediums often.
Keep length to one page for early and mid-career artists. Use two pages only if you have long lists of exhibitions, residencies, and public commissions.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Keep consistent line spacing and margins so your work reads easily.
Prioritize white space and clear headings. Use simple section titles: Summary, Exhibitions, Commissions, Residencies, Education, Skills, and Selected Works. Use bullet lists for achievements and dates to help quick scanning.
Avoid heavy graphics, complex columns, or embedded images that confuse an ATS. Put portfolio links and images on a separate website. Use plain text captions and short project descriptions on the resume.
Common mistakes include cluttered layouts, inconsistent dates, tiny fonts, and long paragraphs. Don’t list unrelated jobs without showing transfer of skills. Don’t use nonstandard fonts or bright colors that hurt readability.
Match your resume to the role you seek. Tune language to galleries, arts managers, or grant panels. Keep it tight, scannable, and honest.
<!-- HTML snippet for a clear Artist resume header -->
<div style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif; font-size:11pt;"><h1>Wallace Lockman</h1><p>Multimedia Artist | linktoshowcase.com | (555) 123-4567 | city, ST</p></div>
<h2>Selected Exhibitions</h2><ul><li>2024 — Group Show, Brakus, Cronin and Gislason, City</li><li>2023 — Solo Show, Orn-Hegmann, City</li></ul>
<h2>Selected Works and Commissions</h2><ul><li>Public mural commission, City Arts Council, 2022</li></ul>
Why this works: This layout uses clear headings and simple fonts. It gives dates and venues in short lines. The design stays scannable and ATS-friendly.
<!-- HTML snippet with common formatting problems -->
<table style="font-family:Georgia; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td><h1>Dominique Moore</h1><p>Artist</p></td><td><img src="portfolio.jpg"/></td></tr></table>
<div style="column-count:2;"><h2>Exhibitions</h2><p>2024 Solo show at Streich-Leannon. 2023 Group show at Rice-Bernhard. 2022 residency at Feest Inc.</p></div>
Why this fails: The two-column table and embedded image can break ATS parsing. The text blocks run together and feel cramped. Recruiters may miss key dates or links.
Writing a tailored cover letter matters for an Artist role. Your letter shows your voice and creative fit. It complements your resume and explains why you want this specific role.
Start with a clear header that lists your contact details, the date, and the company's contact if you know it.
Opening paragraph: State the Artist position you want and show genuine excitement for the company. Mention where you found the job posting. Name one strong qualification up front, like a relevant exhibition, technique, or award.
Body paragraphs connect your experience directly to the job. Use short, concrete examples of your work or projects. Highlight specific technical skills, such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, digital illustration, or mixed media. Mention collaboration, project management, and your public-facing skills when relevant.
Keep sentences short and active. Use one technical term per sentence when you must. Tailor language to the job posting by echoing keywords from that listing.
Closing paragraph: Reaffirm your interest in the Artist role and the company. State confidence in your ability to contribute. Ask for a meeting or portfolio review. Thank the reader for their time.
Tone and tailoring: Keep your voice professional and warm. Write like you talk to a friendly mentor. Customize every letter. Avoid generic text and recycled paragraphs.
Finish by proofreading for clarity. Keep each sentence direct. Let your personality and work ethic come through.
Dear Hiring Team,
I am writing to apply for the Artist position at Adobe. I learned about this opening on your careers page. I bring seven years of mixed media practice and experience creating public artwork.
I build projects that blend digital illustration and hand-painted media. I led a community mural that engaged 250 residents and increased local foot traffic by 15 percent. I also designed a limited-edition print series that sold 300 copies online in two weeks.
I work fluently in Procreate and Adobe Illustrator and sketch daily with ink and gouache. I collaborate with designers, curators, and fabricators to meet deadlines and budgets. I enjoy workshops and teaching, and I have led five studio classes for adults and teens.
At my last gallery, I managed the installation of ten site-specific works. I coordinated materials, timelines, and technical drawings. I kept the project on time and under budget.
I am excited about creating artwork that supports Adobe's creative community. I would welcome the chance to discuss my portfolio and ideas. Please let me know a good time for a meeting or portfolio review.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Ava Martinez
Putting together a resume for an Artist takes care and clarity. You want to show your creative work, not hide it behind vague phrases.
Small mistakes can make curators or galleries skip your application. Fix these common errors so your work gets noticed.
Avoid vague project descriptions
Mistake Example: "Worked on several art projects and installations over the last five years."
Correction: Be specific about medium, role, and outcome. Instead, write: "Created a 12-piece mixed media installation for the 2023 Riverside Exhibit. I designed the lighting, fabricated sculptures, and coordinated a team of two assistants."
Don't omit a portfolio link
Mistake Example: "Portfolio available on request."
Correction: Put a direct link to your online portfolio or Instagram. For example: "Portfolio: https://yourportfolio.com — features paintings, video work, and installation photos."
Skip irrelevant job details
Mistake Example: "Worked retail at a shoe store for three years. Managed inventory and sales."
Correction: Only list roles that show transferable skills. For example: "Gallery Assistant, 2019-2021 — handled artwork installation, client liaison, and inventory for rotating shows."
Use sloppy formatting that hides visuals
Mistake Example: A single dense paragraph with dates, roles, and exhibitions all mashed together.
Correction: Use clear sections and bullet points. Example layout: "Exhibitions: 2024 'Echoes' solo show — Blue Gallery; 2022 'Local Voices' group show — City Arts Center."
Let typos and grammar errors slip through
Mistake Example: "Recieved grant from the local art fund. Exhibitted work in three shows."
Correction: Proofread or ask someone to check. Correct example: "Received a grant from the Local Art Fund. Exhibited work in three regional shows."
These FAQs and tips help you shape a clear, focused Artist resume and portfolio. You’ll find quick answers about format, length, skills to list, and how to show your work so curators and galleries notice your strength.
What key skills should I list on my Artist resume?
List technical skills like painting, printmaking, digital illustration, sculpting, or photography.
Include curatorial, exhibition planning, grant writing, and studio management skills when you have them.
Which resume format works best for an Artist?
Use a hybrid format: a short professional summary, a clear exhibition/experience section, and a dedicated education and skills area.
Keep layout simple so hiring managers and curators can scan your credits and links quickly.
How long should an Artist resume be?
Keep it to one page if you have under ten years of public-facing work.
Use two pages only for extensive exhibitions, residencies, and publications.
How should I showcase projects and my portfolio?
How do I explain gaps for studio practice or freelance work?
State the gap honestly and name what you did, like studio projects, residencies, teaching, or commissions.
List outcomes, exhibitions, or sales from that period to show continued activity.
Lead with a concise artist statement
Write one or two sentences that explain your work focus and process. This gives curators quick context before they scan credits.
Quantify exhibitions and outcomes
Use numbers where you can. List solo shows, group shows, grants, sales, and residency months. Numbers make impact clear and fast.
Prioritize a clean portfolio link
Put one obvious link or QR code at the top of your resume. Make sure images load fast and label works with title, year, medium, and size.
Tailor your resume to the opportunity
Match what you highlight to the gallery, residency, or job. Emphasize exhibition types, teaching, or grant experience that the role values.
You’ve got the creative edge; now make your Artist resume show it clearly.
Ready to update your resume? Try a simple template or a resume builder, then share your draft with a mentor or peer for quick feedback.
The resume highlights Nandi's leadership skills by mentioning her role in leading a team of 10 designers and copywriters. This experience is crucial for an Artist role where collaboration and guidance of creative teams are often essential.
Nandi effectively uses quantifiable results, such as a 30% increase in customer engagement and a 75% rise in social media reach. These metrics showcase her impact and effectiveness in previous roles, which is appealing for an Artist position that values measurable success.
The skills section includes relevant competencies like 'Adobe Creative Suite' and 'Visual Storytelling', which are directly applicable to the Artist role. This alignment helps in passing through ATS filters and capturing the attention of hiring managers.
The introduction could be more tailored to the specific Artist role. While it mentions experience and collaboration, it could benefit from a stronger emphasis on artistic vision or specific artistic styles that align with the target position.
The resume mainly features roles focused on design and art direction. Including a broader range of artistic experiences or different artistic mediums could enhance Nandi's appeal for diverse Artist roles.
A portfolio link showcasing Nandi's artwork or design projects would significantly enhance her resume. As an Artist, visual proof of her abilities is critical and can set her apart from other candidates.
The experience section effectively highlights notable achievements, such as "Conceptualized and executed over 15 major art installations" and receiving the São Paulo Contemporary Art Award. This demonstrates the candidate's proven impact and recognition in the field, which is essential for an Artist role.
The introduction succinctly presents the candidate as an "Innovative Artist" with over 10 years of experience. This immediately positions Lucas as a seasoned professional, capturing attention and setting the tone for the rest of the resume.
Lucas effectively uses quantifiable results, such as "attracting over 10,000 visitors annually" and a "30% increase in visitor engagement". These metrics provide tangible evidence of impact, which is compelling for galleries and art institutions.
The skills section includes general terms like "Contemporary Art" and "Mixed Media" but could benefit from more specific techniques or tools relevant to the Artist role. Including terms like "digital painting software" or specific styles could enhance relevance and ATS compatibility.
While community engagement is mentioned, specific examples of projects or initiatives that fostered community relationships are missing. Enhancing this section with concrete examples could strengthen the case for Lucas's impact in community-focused art initiatives.
The education section provides basic information but lacks depth. Adding relevant coursework, projects, or exhibitions during the BFA program could showcase Lucas’s foundational skills and artistic development, making this section more robust.
The work experience section highlights significant contributions, such as a '20% increase in user engagement' and 'reducing load times by 30%'. This quantitative data effectively showcases Emily's impact, essential for an Artist role in the competitive gaming industry.
Emily's skills section includes key tools like 'Adobe Photoshop' and 'Blender', which are crucial in the art creation process for video games. This alignment with industry standards enhances her suitability for the Artist position.
The introduction effectively communicates Emily's passion and proficiency in both 2D and 3D art. This sets a positive tone for the resume and aligns her goals with the requirements of the Artist role.
While the experience section mentions contributions to user engagement and performance optimization, it could benefit from more specific outcomes related to the artistic elements. Providing examples of how her art directly impacted the game's success would strengthen her candidacy.
The internship at Artistic Creations lists general responsibilities but lacks quantifiable achievements or specific projects. Adding measurable results or notable projects would better showcase her growth and effectiveness as a Junior Artist.
The summary could be more tailored to emphasize unique artistic strengths or style. Highlighting specific artistic achievements or visions would create a stronger connection to the desired Artist role.
You show direct lead experience managing a 28-person art team on a AAA open-world title. That detail proves you can guide cross-discipline teams, keep visual fidelity across 12 biomes, and handle the scale Ubisoft typically seeks in a Lead Artist role.
You include strong metrics like a 35% cut in asset iteration time and a 22% reduction in texture memory. Those numbers show you improved pipelines and performance, which matters for real-time game delivery and engine teams.
Your skills note Unreal Engine, PBR texturing, and pipeline standards. Those keywords match Ubisoft hiring filters and show you understand real-time workflows, naming conventions, LODs, and texture streaming practices.
Your intro reads strong but stays high level. Add one sentence that names the engine, tools, and leadership outcomes you want at Ubisoft. That will tie your value directly to the job and help ATS match your profile.
Your skills list lacks common tool names like Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Houdini, and shader tools. Add these and mention version control or build systems. That improves ATS hits and proves hands-on pipeline knowledge.
Your bullets show impact but mix project scope. Tie each metric to a project or milestone and note timelines or delivery results. That helps hiring managers judge your delivery rhythm and the scale of your wins.
You use clear metrics to show impact, like "120+ high-quality assets" and "reduced asset iteration time by 30%". Those numbers make your contributions tangible and help Studio Meridian see the business value you deliver for game and cinematic projects.
Your resume highlights pipeline wins such as a modular material library and automation scripts that cut handoffs by 40%. That shows you solve production bottlenecks and improve artist throughput, a key skill Studio Meridian will look for in a senior artist.
You list mentoring six artists and coordinating with concept, animation, and tech teams. That proves you guide teams and sync with other departments, which matters for senior roles that balance hands-on work with team and process ownership.
Your intro reads strong but stays general. Tailor it to Studio Meridian by naming relevant project types, target art style, or tech they use. A short line about delivering cinematic character art for triple-A pipelines will tie you directly to their needs.
Your skills list contains key tools but stays short. Add terms like "retopology", "baking", "LOD optimization", "lookdev", "Houdini", and engine-specific pipeline steps. That boosts ATS match and signals deeper technical fit for game and cinematic jobs.
You link to a profile but don’t highlight specific showreel items. Call out 2–3 portfolio pieces tied to the achievements you cite and state reel runtime. That helps Studio Meridian quickly verify quality and confirms your delivery on the claims.