Write an artist resume by painting a picture — with words — of the value you can bring to an organization. Include a link to your portfolio so interested employers can see examples of your work. Create a narrative about your past experience, skills, and unique artistic approach by providing tangible examples of your achievements. This guide will provide valuable tools and insights to help you craft an accomplishment-driven resume and land your next interview.
Most Popular Artist Resumes
Artist Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This resume calls special attention to the artist’s portfolio and includes a section of exhibitions, showcasing tangible achievements and establishing the artist's reputation. Learn how to make your resume stand out here.
3D Animation Artist Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This resume outlines specific, well-known projects on which the artist worked, demonstrating experience with industry-leading companies and films. Learn more about resume skills here.
Art Director and Creative Lead Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This resume opens with a strong profile statement and includes statistics about key accomplishments under the professional experience section. Explore the best resume formats here.
Graphic Design Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This graphic design resume lists important skills and adds accomplishments and improvements the designer made during previous professional experience. Learn how to list your education on a resume here.
Photographer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This photographer resume lists the types of photography work and scale of the projects the photographer has worked with. Learn more about how to list certifications on your resume here.
Illustrator Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This illustrator's resume lists the scale of campaigns they have worked on and statistics about how much they have improved key business metrics. Learn about what to put on a resume here.
Makeup Artist Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
The resume showcases a range of makeup artistry skills and highlights experience across multiple settings, from freelancing to salon work. Learn about resume summary examples here.
Fine Artist Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Jacob's resume highlights his exhibition experience, showcasing his ability to collaborate with galleries while also underscoring his technical skills and teaching experience. Learn how to list your education on a resume here.
Painter Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Samantha’s resume effectively showcases her artistic work and experience in exhibitions, with specific examples of her involvement in both solo and group projects. Learn about resume skills here.
Animator Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
David’s resume emphasizes a wide range of animation techniques, highlighting his experience across different media formats and his technical skills in animation software. Explore resume objective examples here.
Graphic Artist Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Evan’s resume demonstrates a combination of both creative design skills and collaboration with clients, providing a balance of technical proficiency and practical application. Find out how to put relevant coursework on a resume here.
Freelance Artist Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Chloe’s resume highlights her ability to work independently and meet client expectations while also showcasing her technical skills and creative range. Learn how to list certifications on your resume here.
Makeup Artist Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Sophia’s resume emphasizes her versatility and skill set, showing her work across various high-profile events and her certification as a makeup artist. Learn about resume language skills here.
3D Modeling Artist Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Liam’s resume showcases specific projects and experience working with well-known companies, illustrating his depth of knowledge in 3D modeling and its application across industries. Explore resume summary examples here.
Illustrator Artist Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Benjamin’s resume highlights the variety of work he’s done, from books to animation, showcasing his versatility and skill across multiple types of projects. Learn how to list certifications on a resume here.
Art Director Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Olivia’s resume highlights her leadership experience, key collaborations with clients, and technical design skills, showing both her creative and managerial expertise. Learn how to make a resume here.
Painter Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Carlos' resume showcases his dedication to both creating art and promoting it, highlighting his work with galleries and the business side of being an artist. Find out how to list references on your resume here.
Freelance Animator Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Emily’s resume effectively demonstrates her experience as a freelancer, with a solid background in both client work and animation studios. It highlights her ability to manage projects independently while maintaining creativity. Explore how to list certifications on a resume here.
Makeup Artist Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Ava’s resume highlights her flexibility, showcasing her ability to work on various types of projects from fashion shows to weddings. It emphasizes her specialized makeup skills and hands-on experience. Learn about resume skills here.
3D Artist Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Benjamin’s resume emphasizes his technical and creative capabilities, showcasing both his practical skills and his ability to collaborate on large projects. Find out how to list your education on a resume here.
Cinematographer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Daniel’s resume highlights both his leadership and technical skills, making it clear that he has not only worked on high-profile projects but has also played a major role in executing the visual concepts. Learn more about resume summary examples here.
Digital Artist Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Madeline’s resume highlights both her freelance work and professional experience in game design, making it clear that she has the skill set and independence to thrive in various creative environments. Learn about resume fonts here.
Web Designer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Liam’s resume showcases his technical proficiency and results-driven approach to web design, emphasizing measurable impacts on business goals. Explore technical skills for resumes here.
Production Cinematographer Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Sophie’s resume emphasizes her hands-on experience in cinematography and her leadership role on high-budget productions. Find out how far back to list job experience here.
Concept Artist Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Jasper’s resume showcases his ability to contribute both creatively and technically, emphasizing collaboration with teams to execute a visual story. Learn how to put relevant coursework on a resume here.
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Artist Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write an Artist Resume
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
Set the stage for your resume with a profile summary highlighting your most impressive qualifications or explaining why you’re the right candidate for a position. Make it clear what type of artist you are by including terms such as graphic designer, makeup artist, or illustrator in the first sentence.
End strong by hinting at what you can do for a potential employer. For example, you might say you’re seeking a role where you can use your design talents to support a marketing team in driving more leads and conversions.
Professional Profile - Example #1
An art director with over 10 years of experience specializing in graphic design, character modeling, computer-aided design (CAD), and mixed media. A proven track record of defining visual aesthetics and artistic direction for premiere brands.
Professional Profile - Example #2
A freelance artist and painter with three years of experience creating stylized watercolor paintings and charcoal drawings using unorthodox conceptual approaches. Achieved recognition in various art exhibitions, including the Pioneer Works Gallery in New York.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Although there’s no substitution for your actual artwork, you can provide context for your pieces by crafting impactful bullet points in your professional experience section. Highlight your creative approach to art by showcasing your most compelling achievements. For example, if you worked on feature films as a 3D artist, mention specific projects and studios to make a lasting impression on the hiring manager. If you designed a new art logo to enhance marketing efforts for a brand, showcase the impact of your artistic contributions using key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics.
Professional Experience - Example #1
Art Director, 3D Artist, Dreamworks, Duluth, GA | October 2017 – present
- Develop complex character animations and concept drawings for a variety of feature films, including “How to Train Your Dragon 3,” “Abominable,” and “The Bad Guys”
- Create impactful facial expressions and body language to enhance emotional resonance of film sequences and ensure alignment with directorial vision
- Coordinate with the animation team, producers, and director to define character and art designs during pre-production
Professional Experience - Example #2
Art Director, Max Clothing Inc., Lawrence, KS | May 2017 – present
- Develop a holistic approach to concept design for a large portfolio of clothing product categories generating $30 million in annual revenue and ensure alignment with global brand guidelines, standards, and identity
- Create innovative custom artwork and character designs for a clothing company featuring franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, and DC
- Lead a team of over 20 artists to create concept art and sketches for new clothing products and deliver presentations and pitches to stakeholders
3. Include relevant education and portfolio
List degrees relevant to your work as an artist or the position you’re applying for. Consider any certifications you have, too. For example, a Certified Graphics Communications Manager or Adobe Illustrator credential might differentiate you from other applicants.
Artists should also include portfolio links. Avoid simply linking to your social media or LinkedIn profile; create a relevant application portfolio. If you want to demonstrate graphic design skills, consider making your own portfolio website — otherwise, you might use an existing portfolio platform.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Animation
- Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA – May 2013
Portfolio
Template
- [Name]: [site URL]
Example
- Art Portfolio: www.marloenfingerpaintings.com
4. List pertinent key skills
The type of skills important for your resume depends on your field. For example, a fine artist applying for illustration or set design work might highlight design, painting, and drawing skills. However, an art director seeking work in a museum or gallery might want to include skills such as exhibition management or project leadership.
Consider the list of common skills for artist resumes below to get an idea of what to include. Always ensure the skills are relevant to you and your experience.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| 2D animation | 3D animation |
| Adobe Creative Suite | Branding |
| Character modeling | Concept development |
| Creative thinking | Design |
| Exhibition or gallery setup | Fine art |
| Graphic design software | Image editing |
| Mixed media | Multimedia |
| Painting | Portfolio |
| Project management | Sketching |
How To Pick the Best Artist Resume Template
Choose an artist resume that illustrates your professionalism but gives a little nod to your creative personality. A few design elements are not completely out of place on an artist’s resume, but balance them with readability. Consider how your resume might convert to various digital formats and whether design components impede employer access to your resume file.
For many artists, a resume and portfolio are essential. Select a template that allows you to include a portfolio link near the top of the page.
Frequently Asked Questions: Artist Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for artist resumes?-
Start sentences and bullet points with action verbs to draw the reader into the narrative of your resume and make it more scannable. Action verbs also position you as a candidate who gets things done. For example, “designed 10 character sketches each week” is stronger language than “responsible for weekly character sketches.” Here are some action verbs you might want to use on your artist resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Build | Collaborate |
| Communicate | Construct |
| Create | Design |
| Develop | Direct |
| Draft | Establish |
| Evaluate | Implement |
| Partner | Persuade |
| Place | Publish |
| Review | Sell |
| Suggest | Supervise |
How do you align your resume with an artist job description?-
Figures published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that job opportunities for artists are increasing at an average growth rate, with about 6% growth through 2031. A competitive resume aligned with employer requirements increases your chance of landing a job in this market.
Read the job posting carefully to understand what the hiring organization wants and how they discuss it. When applicable, ensure you use their language to describe your skills and experience. For example, if a job posting lists digital asset management as a required skill and you helped convert a college art collection to a digital archive, use the employer’s phrasing when listing that accomplishment on your resume.
What is the best artist resume format?-
Reverse chronological is the ideal resume format for artists in most instances. This allows you to display your most recent and relevant work history toward the top of your document. Functional resumes should be avoided, even at the entry level, as this approach doesn’t provide a framework to capture your projects and achievements. If you lack a robust work history, feature your academic and independent projects above your professional experience.
What’s the recommended length for an artist resume?-
The recommended length for an artist resume is one page, especially for professionals with under 10 years of experience. A two-page resume can work for those with substantial accomplishments or a longer career, but only if it’s concise and highly relevant to the role. Tailoring your resume to the job and highlighting your strongest qualifications are key to success.
Stick to listing work experience from the last 10 to 15 years, as this period is most relevant to employers. Summarize or omit older positions unless they’re crucial for your application. A focused and streamlined resume will help capture the hiring manager’s attention.
Use a cover letter to connect more personally with a potential client or employer. For example, you might say how much you enjoyed a specific exhibit in a gallery or why you believe you’re the right artist for a certain brand. Check out our artist resume cover letter example for some other ideas.
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