What is an artist statement?
An artist statement is a tool for artists of all disciplines to convey essential elements of themselves and their work to an audience.
A good artist statement should speak to the artist’s practice overall while including elements that link it to the specific project or opportunity with which it is appearing. It is the who, what, how, and why of your work, written from your own perspective. By providing context to your work, your artist statement should create a deeper understanding in your audience.
Why do I need an artist statement?
An artist statement may be a required element for many opportunities, including grants, awards, scholarships, exhibitions, competitions, programs, and more. It is an industry-standard way of conveying information about yourself as an artist.
Fundamentals of an artist statement
An artist statement should be written in the first person (Using "I," "me," "my," etc.). It should be no longer than 3-5 paragraphs. When possible, the tone should match the work. An artist statement should also be regularly updated.
Guiding questions for writing an artist statement
Below are some areas of exploration and guiding questions that may help you in crafting your artist statement. These guiding questions should be used to help you write about your work, they should not all be addressed in your artist statement.
Exploring themes and topics:
- What does your work mean to you?
- What does your work aim to show/share with others?
- What do you hope people see in your work and what it provokes?
Exploring your inspiration:
- Are there others you look to for inspiration and guidance?
- Have you had any influential experiences?
- Why are you inspired by these people or experiences?
Exploring challenges:
- What difficulties do you face with your art or work?
- How do you combat these challenges?
- Do you have any stories or examples of how you have overcome these challenges?
Exploring your passion:
- What is your favourite thing about your art or work?
- Why do you enjoy being an artist in your field?
- What draws you to making the type of art that you do?
- How do you keep yourself motivated?
