How to Create a Resume for a Job in the Arts

So, you want to work in the arts? That's awesome! It's a field with tons of cool jobs, from painting to acting to designing. But getting your foot in the door means showing off your amazing talent. And that starts with a great resume. Think of this as your guide to writing a resume that actually gets you noticed.

Understanding the Arts Job Market: It's Bigger Than You Think

First, let's talk about what's out there. The art world isn't just about famous painters. It includes all kinds of jobs! You have to understand the possibilities.

So many jobs! Really. Check these out:
- Visual arts: Painters, sculptors, illustrators...
- Performing arts: Actors, dancers, musicians...
- Design: Graphic designers, web designers, even fashion designers!
- Museums: Curators, educators, people who set up the cool displays.
- Writing: Authors, editors, the people who write the words you see.
Your portfolio is HUGE. Think of it as your art highlight reel. Make sure it's easy to find and amazing.
Networking is your friend. Go to events, meet people, and talk about what you do.
It's competitive. No lie. That's why your resume needs to shine.

Making a Resume That Pops: What You Need

Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. What needs to be on your resume to get you that dream job?

Read Also: How to Write a Cover Letter for a Marketing Internship

1. Contact Info: Make It Easy to Reach You

This is super basic, but super important. Get it right!

Your Full Name: Make it a little bigger than everything else.
Phone Number: The one you actually answer.
Email: Keep it professional. No funny nicknames.
Portfolio Link: The most important thing! Link to your website, Behance, whatever showcases your stuff.
LinkedIn: Only if it's up-to-date.
Where You Are (Optional): Just the city and state are fine.

2. Summary or Objective: Your "Elevator Pitch"

What do you want them to know right away? Pick one of these:

Summary (If you have experience): "I'm a graphic designer who helped increase website traffic by 20%." Short and sweet!
Objective (If you're just starting out): "I want to use my art history skills to help people love museums!"

Remember:

Keep it short.
Change it for every job.
Focus on what they want.
Use action words.

3. Skills: Show Off What You Can Do

List everything you're good at. Be specific!

Tech Skills: Software you know, like Adobe Photoshop. Coding? List it!
Art Skills: Painting, sculpting, knowing color theory...you name it!
"People" Skills: Communication, teamwork, solving problems. These are super important too!

For Example:

Graphic Designer: Adobe Creative Suite, Branding, Web Design, Communication.
Museum Educator: Art History, Public Speaking, Event Planning.
Photographer: Lighting, Photo Editing, Customer Service.

4. Experience: What You've Actually Done

List your jobs, internships, even volunteer work. What did you do? What was awesome about it?

Job Title: What you were called.
Company: Where you worked.
Dates: When you worked there.
What you did: Use bullet points! Show off those achievements!

Example:

Graphic Designer | ABC Marketing Agency | June 2018 – Present

Designed ads that brought 20% more people to the website.
Made cool social media images that got people talking.
Worked with the team to make new products look amazing.
Finished projects on time and on budget.

5. Education: Your School Smarts

List your degrees, diplomas, anything related to your learning. Include what you studied, where, and when.

Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts? List it!
Major: Graphic Design?
University: Where you went.
When You Graduated: Or when you expect to graduate.

6. Portfolio: Seriously, Link It Again!

Yes, again! Make it super easy for them to see your work.

Portfolio: [Your Link Here] - Check out my graphic design projects, including logos and websites.

7. Awards (If You Got 'Em): Brag a Little

Won an art contest? Got a scholarship? List it here!

8. Volunteer Work (If You Did It): Show You Care

Did you volunteer at a museum or art gallery? This shows you're passionate!

Making Your Resume Even Better: Pro Tips

Want to really stand out?

Change it for each job: Don't send the same resume to everyone.
Use keywords: Look at the job posting and use the same words.
Show, don't tell: Use numbers to show how you helped (like that 20% increase!).
Use strong words: "Designed," "Created," "Managed."
Check for mistakes! Have someone else read it.
Pick a clean layout: Make it easy to read.
Keep it short: One page is best.
Use a normal font: Arial or Times New Roman are safe bets.
Save as a PDF: This keeps your formatting safe.
Get advice: Ask a career counselor for help.