Writing an Artist Statement

Artist statements give specific background on your artistic approach, inspiration, and decisions. You need to prepare them for gallery shows, entering contests, grant applications, potential job interviews, and for Senior Seminar and other studio classes.

Getting Started
Assess what you need the statement for. A class? A job? A contest? Each will have its own set of specific guidelines to follow or questions to answer. For our purposes, let's say your artist statement is for a seminar proposal. List the following information:

• What type of medium do you work in? Why?
• Are you working on an extended project, or a series of work? What is it?
• Why does this subject matter appeal to you?
• What do you hope to express or learn by working on this project?

Format
Statements should be brief—no more than a page—and allow the viewer to understand why you made certain choices about your art when they review your work. A good formula to help you get started is the following three-paragraph version:

I. Opening Paragraph—Introduces your project.

• What are you working on? Describe medium, size, significant details.
• Why is it important to you?
• Where did the inspiration for this project come from?

II. Second Paragraph—Introduces you as an artist

• How long have you been working in this medium?
• From where else do you draw inspiration?
• Why is being an artist important to you?

III. Third Paragraph—Goals

• How has this project helped you develop as an artist/how do you hope it will help you develop?
• Why is it important to you to work on this project in such a concentrated manner as a seminar class?

By answering these questions, you will be organizing your proposal in a clear and thoughtful manner. This is only a guide—each type of statement you write will have different goals, so keep that in mind.

And remember: Visit the Writing Center or the Career Services Center at any time for more help.