I've met a lot of wonderful artists and crafters at shows since graduating Sheridan College. I don't know why, but somewhere along the way I started asking if the better established folks had Curriculum Vitaes (CVs), and astoundingly, none of them did. In fact, no one had a clue to what a CV might be - I guess a benefit to a traditional education is 'insiders information'.
WHY do you want it?
-Some exhibitions, residencies, awards and projects require you to submit a one (1) page CV with your application.
-Artists don't usually fit into a traditional resume. There's not often a, "Two years at McDonalds, FT."
-Furthermore, artists can run their lives very differently. A CV allows you to curate a list of the individual experiences you have.
-After a long, wonderful career as an artist (especially if you start off thinking you'll just be a hobbyist), a long-form CV is wonderful to look back on.
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| My Curriculum Vitae |
HOW do you write it?
It's pretty easy. Just figure out what categories your art experience fall under, and then list them in the way you find most appropriate. I rearrange my layout depending on what will be most important to the people I'm sending the CV to.
You can include information such as (but not limited to);
-Self-employment
-Art shows
-Collaborations
-Exhibitions
-Residencies
-Teaching Experience, and
-Guild Memberships
You also list more obvious things like;
-Education
-Awards, and
-Volunteer Experience
By the way, you want two versions:
First CV: A one (1) page CV suitable for sending out with applications.
-This is a trimmed down version that includes only your best and/or most relevant experience.
Second CV: A long CV that includes everything you've ever done.
-As you gain more experience you may find yourself deleting certain entries, and that's okay too.
