How to write an artist’s CV or bio
Practical tips for putting together a clear, professional artist CV or biography.
What is an artist’s CV?
The focus of an artist’s CV (or biography) is to highlight your artistic training, exhibition history and significant career achievements. Importantly, it should be simple, clear and easy to read with well-defined categories.
Your CV should be one page, two at maximum (although you will mostly be featuring your CV on your website). The layout should be kept simple. Stick to standard font and font sizes and always proofread. Always make sure the CV is up to date.
Key details to include
- Personal details: name, phone number (optional), website, email and any social media showcasing your work
- Education or training: short courses, BA/Honours/post grad and academic achievements
- Exhibitions: listed in chronological order starting from the most recent exhibition. Solo shows and group shows can be grouped together if you are an emerging artist. Experienced artists may choose to separate these and only include selected exhibitions
Further information you may choose to include, where relevant:
- Grants and awards you have received
- Any significant commissions you have completed
- Significant collections which include your work
- Current gallery representation or agent
- Any publications, reviews or catalogues
- Artist residencies
- Art-related employment
- Professional memberships
Example CV
Jo Bloggs
Email: [email protected] · Instagram: @j.bloggs
Born 1981 Poland. Lives and works Biloela, QLD, Australia.
Education
- 2017 Master of Fine Arts, The University of Melbourne
- 2013 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Griffith University
Exhibitions
Solo
- 2026 Elegant animals, Banana Shire Regional Art Gallery (touring to Rockhampton Art Museum and Shepparton Art Museum)
- 2026 That’s what I want, Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts, Townsville
- 2021 All the things I’ve never seen, The Condensery, Toogoolawah
- 2019 More and more, Artisan, Brisbane
- 2017 Unrefined objects, Kings ARI, Melbourne
Group
- 2025 Bold and beautiful, Banana Shire Regional Art Gallery
- 2024 North Queensland Ceramic Awards, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville
- 2024 Queensland Regional Art Awards (touring exhibition)
- 2022 Tiny, Caloundra Regional Gallery
- 2017 MFA Grad Exhibition, Margaret Lawrence Gallery
Collections, residencies and awards
Collections
- Shepparton Art Museum
- St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne
Residencies
- 2026 Auckland Studio Potters
- 2021 Fremantle Art Centre Residency
- 2020 Asialink Residency, Singapore
Awards
- 2025 Regional Arts Fund Project Grant
- 2017 John Smith Award, Most Outstanding MFA Student