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.