• A cover letter
• An artist resume (also known as a Curriculum Vitae)
• An artist statement
• Visual materials (such as slides, photographs, videotapes, etc.)
• A press packet (your reviews, catalogue excerpts, etc.)

Portfolio Development

Your portfolio is a valuable tool in your arsenal as an artist, and it is often the first opportunity you have to impress and influence those in charge of making the decisions and choices that affect you and your work. 

By developing and preparing a professional portfolio, every artist is taking a step towards ensuring her or his own success.

In general, a portfolio consists of various presentation materials representing both the artist and her or his work. 

Some artists will have a very detailed and complex portfolio, but the basics almost always include: an artist résumé and bio, an artist statement, work samples, press clippings or reviews of artwork, and, if appropriate, a query or cover letter. 

The artist's portfolio is an evolving assortment of credentials that can be modified and tailored for any particular audience. 

Artist Résumés and Bios

Just as an employment résumé outlines employment history, experience, and skills, an artist résumé details the accomplishments, endeavors, knowledge, and abilities of an artist. There are many common conventions that all professional résumés should follow. Remember, an artist résumé is not an “artistic” résumé. You want to present yourself and your accomplishments in a professional manner.

Typically, an artist résumé is one to four pages in length. Most artists have two versions of their résumé prepared: a long version and a one- or two-page version. 

The artist résumé is different from a curriculum vitae or artist bio. The c.v. is a record of all professional activities within academic careers, and is intended for use in academic situations only. An artist bio, while containing information similar to the artist résumé, is presented in a different format than the résumé. An artist bio is most often written in the third person and in paragraph form, and it highlights the information present on your résumé.

Artist Statements

In some instances you will be asked for a general artist statement, and in other circumstances you may be asked to provide a statement about a particular artwork. The best tip to start with is to limit the length of your statement to one double-spaced page maximum. Your artist statement should discuss both the conceptual (your ideas, concerns, and how they manifest themselves in your work) and technical or formal aspects of your artwork. Your statement may include information on any influences you feel inform your work. Keep it simple, concise, and straightforward.

Portfolio Design

Your work must be presented in a professional manner. Choose only finished work for your portfolio. 

Always show your best work.

Plan your portfolio carefully.

A good portfolio should have continuity and provide viewers with a clear idea as to what your vision is.

Your work samples are the most important component of your portfolio. Work samples can range from slides and photographs to manuscripts, disks, and videos, depending on your artistic discipline. 

You have seconds to impress a viewer with your work! 

It should be organized by subjects or different styles. 

Black and white images and color images should also be grouped separately for easier viewing.

Your work should be presented in an appropriate portfolio case or shipping case.

Cases are usually available from good local photography or art supply stores. You can also purchase them online*.

All artists should supplement their work samples with a work sample description sheet. This sheet should include all pertinent information such as titles, dimensions, materials, date completed, length of performance, where preformed, your role in the performance, and any other technical, synoptic, or descriptive information that can inform your work. If submitting work samples to a competitive application process, ask the sponsoring organization how your work will be viewed, how much time the panel or judge will spend reviewing your work samples, and what the selection process is like. These types of questions can help you select the appropriate work samples to include in your application. It is the administrator's job to answer these types of inquiries and to assist artists in preparing their applications.

Editing Your Artwork

Your portfolio must be well-edited, and you may not be the best judge of your own work.

Since it is often difficult to be objective about your own work, you might have someone you respect view and critique your portfolio prior to showing it to anyone really important. This will ensure that the work you show is your strongest work.

Limit the number of pieces you are showing to no more than twenty. You might even consider as few as ten. 

Common Sense

The main objective of your first visit/interview is just to introduce your work to the client/employer. Make the experience of looking at your work as pleasant and positive as possible so that you can come back another day. 

Present only one thematically unified or otherwise cohesive body of work. If you have more than one body of work to show, show your strongest work first.

Be friendly, positive, polite, and courteous. Avoid being rude or inconsiderate. Keep in mind that you are asking a decision maker to hire you. 

Through your words and actions, indicate that you place great value on that person's time and opinions. 

Are you making his or her job easier or more difficult? 

You should learn as much as possible about the company before your interview. 

Show them that you know and care about what they are doing. 

Perspective

Remember, your work doesn't stand alone. 

Just as packaging plays an increasingly important role in product marketing, you are as integral to your presentation as your images.

A successful portfolio presentation is absolutely necessary if you expect to become hired.