Artist Statement Outline

Communications 6N1950

Now that you have raw material from your brainstorming, this outline will help you shape it into two distinct statements. You do not need to use everything, and new ideas may emerge as you work. The outline is a planning tool, not a contract. If your draft goes in a different direction, that is fine.

Exhibition Artist Statement

Audience: Tutors, peers, other artists. These readers understand studio practice and want to know about your process and ideas for this particular body of work.

What tone do you want to strike?

Reflective · Curious · Honest · Warm · Playful · Serious · Exploratory · Direct · _____________

What will you include?

From your brainstorming, select what feels most important for this statement:

Something about the physical or mechanical (materials, process, the act of making):

Something about the thinking or feeling (ideas, questions, what making gives you):

Something about the visible or invisible (what you hope viewers notice, backstory, influences):

Something specific to the exhibition work (what you made, why, what is not obvious):

How might you begin?

A rough opening line or idea (this can change):

Website Artist Statement & Bio

Audience: The public, potential clients, grant providers, collaborators. These readers may not know art terminology. They want to understand who you are and how to work with you.

What tone do you want to strike?

Approachable · Professional · Friendly · Confident · Inviting · Conversational · Clear · _____________

What will you include?

Your journey or background (brief—where you started, where you are now):

What you make and how (materials, forms, what your practice looks like):

What draws you to this work (why you keep doing it, what it gives you):

Who you would like to work with or what opportunities interest you:

How will you invite connection?

What do you want readers to do next? How will you close?

Before You Draft

I have identified what makes each statement different (audience, tone, content).
I have selected a few key points for each statement from my brainstorming.
I have a rough idea of how I might begin each one.
I understand that my first draft will be imperfect, and that is fine.

Remember: Your draft does not need to be 350 words of polished prose. Aim for 150 words that capture your main ideas. You will have time to expand and refine during the feedback and revision stages. Start where you are. Write what is true.