Artist Portfolio Handbook

An arts portfolio is a package of information that outlines your history and experience as an artist. Whether you are a painter, carver, musician, storyteller, actor, dancer, filmmaker, bead worker or any other type of artist, an arts portfolio is a necessary tool. It is also important for arts organizations or collectives to have a portfolio record of their activities in the arts.

This handbook has been designed to provide you with some basic tips and templates to get your arts portfolio started. Through reading this handbook, you will be introduced to several key components that come together to form an arts portfolio package. If you are an individual artist, you will find guidance on how to write an artist’s biography, as well as an artist’s statement and artist’s resume/CV (curriculum vitae). You will also receive tips on how to bring together photo, video or audio samples of your work. If you are a member of an arts organization, group or collective, this handbook will offer you useful information about
documenting the history of your organization, as well as clarifying key intentions that motivate you as a group.