BUILDING PORTFOLIOS

To be competitive in today's art world, it is essential for artists of all disciplines to submit high quality portfolios, support materials, or work samples when applying for grants and commissions and searching for exhibition, performance and publication opportunities. Your portfolio, support material or work sample is a record of your artistic life and an extremely important tool in presenting your artwork in the best possible manner. Here are some resources for developing effective presentation and support materials.

Writing an artist resume

Get it Right the First Time:
  An Introduction to Creating Your Artist Resume
Great tips for artists in all disciplines. From Artist Trust.

Writing an artist statement

Your Secret Weapon:
  The Artists Statement as a Marketing Tool
The essentials in writing an effective artist statement. From Artists Register and reprinted with permission from The Crafts Report Magazine.

  Artist information statement
Advice for visual artists. From The National Association for Independent Artists.

  Artist Statement Essentials
Do's and don'ts of writing artist statements from Artist Trust.

Developing portfolios, work samples, and other support materials:

Visual Arts

Performing Arts

Literary

Visual Arts

  Developing Your Artist Portfolio
The essentials in developing an effective portfolio. From Visual Artist Information Hotline.

  Digital Image Tip Sheet
General tips for selecting, labeling and submitting digital images for review. From Artist Trust.

  Tips on How To Successfully Photograph Your Own Artwork - A Last Resort
Learn how to document your artwork and create good quality slides. From Artists Register and reprinted with permission from ArtAdvice.com.

  Proper Care and Labeling for Slides
A slide image may be the only record of the one-of-a-kind piece you just sold. Learn how to care for and archive your slides. From Artists Register and reprinted with permission from The Crafts Report magazine.

  Slide Tip Sheet
General tips for selecting, labeling, presenting and submitting slides for review. From Artist Trust.

Performing Arts

  Audio Work Sample Tip Sheet
Selection and presentation tips for submitting audio work samples. From Artist Trust.

The Vital Video
Tips for creating a well — crafted video work sample.
From Artist Trust.

Literary Arts

  Literature & Theater Manuscript Tip Sheet
General tips for selection and submission of literary and theater manuscripts. From Artist Trust.

  Preparing Scripts for Submission
Step-by-step instructions for preparing your theater script for submission. From The Playwrighting Seminars Web site created by Richard Toscan.

Looking for information on grant and proposal writing? Explore Grant Writing

For tips on publicizing and promoting your work, see Publicity and Promotion