Artist CV Examples & Templates
- 30% higher chance of getting a job‡
- 42% higher response rate from recruiters‡
Our customers have been hired at:*Foot Note
Whether it’s photography, painting, sculpting, makeup, visual effects or other creative pursuits, artists need a proper CV and portfolio to display their skills and experience efficiently.
Keep reading to learn how to write an artist’s CV, and browse our templates to get inspired and create a document that is just as impressive as a work of art.
Get started by editing these artist CV templates, or check out our 40+ CV templates to find the right one for you.
Artist CV Example (Text Version)
Claudia Galarza
Los Angeles, CA 90001
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Summary Statement
Seasoned and accomplished artist with over a decade of experience creating impactful visual art across multiple mediums. Skilled in conceptualizing and delivering works for exhibitions, galleries, and private commissions, driving a 30% increase in attendance at curated shows. Recognized for fostering community engagement through public art projects, achieving 15% growth in local initiatives. Certified in advanced digital design, seamlessly integrating traditional techniques with modern technologies.
Core Qualifications
- Mixed-media
- Public mural design
- AutoCAD and SketchUp
- Creative problem-solving
- Advanced digital illustration
- Adobe Creative Suite
- 3D modeling and rendering
- Team collaboration
Education
Master of Fine Arts – Visual Arts • University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Arts – Art History & Studio Arts • University of California, Lo Angeles
Ls Angeles, CA
Work Experience
Artist • Self Employed
Los Angeles, CA • September 2022 to Current
- Complete an average of 150 commissioned artworks, generating over $200,000 in revenue and maintaining a 95% client satisfaction rate.
- Design and execute 10 public murals, enhancing local community engagement by 20%.
- Deliver workshops on mixed-media art techniques, attended by over 1,000 participants, increasing educational outreach by 30%.
Exhibition Curator • California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA • June 2017 to August 2022
- Curated 25 exhibitions, attracting over 10,000 visitors and increasing gallery revenue by 40%.
- Collaborated with over 40 artists to produce thematic exhibitions, enhancing cross-disciplinary dialogue.
- Developed promotional campaigns for exhibitions, boosting social media engagement by 50%.
Digital Artist • Creative Studios Inc.
Los Angeles, CA • March 2012 to December 2017
- Produced over 100 digital illustrations, contributing to $500,000 in project revenue.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by 25% through timely delivery of high-quality digital assets.
- Reduced project turnaround time by 20% by streamlining the digital illustration workflow, resulting in the timely delivery of over 150 high-quality assets annually.
Exhibitions
- “Explorations in Color,” City Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA – (2024)
- “Society and Digital Art, “City Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA – (2024)
- “Organic Boundaries,” The Loft Gallery, Seattle, WA – (2023)
- “Shifting Landscapes,” Los Angeles City Gallery, Los Angeles, CA – (2022)
- “Digital Meets Traditional,” Modern Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA – (2023)
- “Environmental Narratives,” Community Arts Center, Denver, CO – (2021)
- “Through the Artists Lens,” Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, CA – (2019)
- “Art and Modernism,” Los Angeles Art Studio – (2018)
Residencies
- International Artist Residency, Florence, Italy – (2022), Developed a mixed-media series on cultural heritage, resulting in a museum-acquired piece.
- Urban Art Residency, New York, NY – (2018), Focused on large-scale public art installations, including a weekly mural viewed by an estimated 5,000 people.
- Nature-Inspired Residency, National Park Service, Denver, CO – (2015), Created an eco-conscious series that was featured in local and online exhibitions.
Commissions
Corporate Mural – Los Angeles City Bank, Los Angeles, CA – (2024)
- Designed and painted a large-scale mural for the lobby of a tech company’s headquarters, incorporating elements of the company’s brand identity and mission, viewed by over 1,000 employees and visitors daily.
Wedding Invitation Artwork: Santa Monica City Plaza, Santa Monica, CA (2024)
- Produced hand-drawn illustrations for a couple’s wedding invitation suite, including floral motifs and personalized elements, contributing to a unique guest experience for 200 attendees.
Public Art Commission – City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA – (2022)
- Designed and painted a large-scale mural titled Modern Flora as part of a downtown revitalization project, seamlessly integrating natural elements with contemporary architectural themes. Featured in Los Angeles Monthly, the mural has since become a prominent visual landmark in the area.
Private Commission – Luxury Residential Complex, Los Angeles, CA – (2021)
- Created and installed a custom sculptural piece for the lobby of a high-end residential building, using sustainable materials and integrated lighting to craft an immersive experience.
Relevant Skills
- Proficient in generating innovative ideas and translating concepts into visually compelling works across various mediums.
- Expertise in painting, sculpture, mixed media and digital art tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and 3D modeling software.
- Skilled in planning, organizing, and executing large-scale art projects, meeting deadlines and managing budgets effectively.
- Adept at working with clients, curators and teams to produce cohesive and impactful projects, including public and community art installations.
- Experienced in creating art that resonates with diverse audiences, enhancing gallery attendance and participation in art initiatives.
Important CV Sections
Contact information
Begin writing your CV with a section at the top of your CV to display your contact details as follows:
- Full name
- City
- State
- ZIP code
- Phone number
- Professional email address
If you have a LinkedIn profile, online portfolio or professional website, add those as well.
Professional summary
Your professional summary works as an elevator pitch that can hook the hiring manager into reading more of your CV. It’s an opportunity to introduce yourself and quickly summarize your most impressive skills and accomplishments.
Here is a sample professional summary for a 3D artist CV:
“Detail-oriented 3D Artist with six years of experience in 3D modeling, texturing, rigging and animation. Proficient in industry-standard software such as Blender, Maya and ZBrush, with a proven track record of producing high-quality gaming, film, and digital marketing assets. Skilled in collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet project deadlines while maintaining artistic vision. Adept at optimizing 3D assets for real-time rendering and ensuring seamless integration into production pipelines.”
Skills
Your skills section should include six to eight soft skills and hard skills that showcase your ability to perform the role effectively.
These are six skills you can include in your CV for an artist:
- 3D Modeling and sculpting: Expertise in creating detailed and realistic 3D models using tools like Blender, Maya or ZBrush.
- Texturing and shading: Proficient in developing textures, materials and shaders using software like Substance Painter or Photoshop, ensuring lifelike and visually striking assets for animations or games.
- Animation and rigging: Experienced in bringing characters and objects to life through rigging and animation.
- Collaboration: Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams to align artistic goals with project timelines and technical requirements.
- Problem-solving: Adept at using problem-solving skills to identify and resolve creative and technical challenges in production.
- Attention to detail: A keen eye for intricate details to ensure that all assets meet the highest artistic standards and contribute to immersive visual experiences.
Work history
A CV includes a detailed work history section listing every employment experience in reverse-chronological order with their corresponding dates, locations and company names.
Add three measurable achievements to every job listed to boost your chances of landing an interview and show your capacity to go above and beyond your job duties. Here’s an example:
3D Artist | Mample Studios
Los Angeles, CA | January 2020 – January 2025- Spearheaded a texture optimization process, reducing asset load times by 25% without compromising visual quality.
- Contributed to a marketing campaign by producing 3D renderings and animations for promotional materials, increasing campaign engagement by 35%.
- Mentored two junior artists, improving their workflow efficiency by 40% through regular feedback and technical training sessions.
Education
List every academic or educational training program you’ve attended after high school. Remember to include the name of each school or program, location and dates of attendance.
See our guide on how to make a CV for additional information and examples from career advice experts.
See why MyPerfectResume is a 5-star resume builder
Action Words for Your CV
Powerful action verbs reduce wordiness and convey a strong sense of proactiveness as a professional.
Consider adding these action verbs to your artist CV:
- Adapt
- Animate
- Capture
- Collaborate
- Conceptualize
- Create
- Design
- Develop
- Enhance
- Illustrate
- Model
- Optimize
- Render
- Revamp
- Sculpt
- Visualize
Explore our library of over 300+ CV examples for additional inspiration.
Best Skills for Your CV
Carefully read the job description to identify key skills required for the position and add them to your resume to increase your chances of passing ATS.
Here are a few examples of relevant skills to include on an artist CV:
- UV mapping
- Lighting and rendering
- Character design
- Visual storytelling
- Scene composition
- Motion graphics
- 3D printing preparation
- Game asset optimization
- Procedural modeling
- Color theory application
- Communication skills
- Time management skills
- Creativity and innovation
- Critical thinking skills
- Adaptability
- Leadership skills
Certifications for Your CV
Certifications can enhance an artist CV by showcasing specialized skills and a commitment to professional development.
Here are some certifications a 3D artist might include in their CV:
- Autodesk Certified Professional: Maya
- Professional Artist & Game Design Certification – Unity
- Professional Certification in Digital Sculpting – Gnomon
- Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
We recommend creating a separate section on your CV to list relevant certifications. Refer to our example of an artist CV to see how you can craft this section.
Pair your CV with a matching cover letter
FAQ
What’s the best format for an artist CV?
A proper artist CV format is well-organized and maximizes readability. Follow these formatting tips to ensure your CV is optimized:
- Clear and consistent layout: Use bold headings and subheadings to divide your CV sections.
- Professional text: Select a professional font such as Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri and maintain the same font size throughout. Typically, between 10-12 points for body text and 14 points for headings.
- Reverse chronological order: Present CV sections in reverse-chronological order to place the most recent information first.
What is the difference between a CV and a resume?
The difference between a CV vs. resume depends on three main aspects:
- Length: CVs tend to run several pages because they detail your professional experience and often include additional sections, while a resume focuses on the most relevant aspects of your work history.
- Purpose: CVs are typically submitted for scientific, medical and academic positions. Resumes can be used to apply to any job.
- Location: Resumes are the standard document for applying for U.S.-based positions, while CVs are the standard worldwide.
How do I write an artist CV with no experience?
Writing an artist CV with no experience can feel challenging, but focusing on your education, skills, personal projects, and related activities can create a strong impression. Follow these tips:
- Include transferable skills that show you can perform the role without professional experience.
- Mention artistic projects or coursework from your academic years.
- Add volunteer work or internships related to the job role.
- Mention artistic conferences or panels you’ve attended.
Best Practices
- Tailor your CV to the target artist job.
- Include keywords from the job description throughout your CV.
- Format your CV so that it is easily readable by ATS software and human eyes.
- Use quantifiable accomplishments to highlight your innovative and proactive qualities.
- Create a generic artist CV.
- Lie about your work experience or skills.
- Include irrelevant information like ethnicity or age.
- Forget to proofread.
Interview Tips
Research the company or institution.
Arrive at the interview with a clear understanding of the company and its needs. The interviewer will likely ask what you know about the company, so this will be an opportunity to show you took the time to prepare and have a genuine interest in the job.
Practice common interview questions.
While it may be difficult to memorize all your answers, practicing common interview questions will help you feel more confident when responding and better understand what you want to communicate.
Start by reviewing the most common interview questions, such as:
Prepare questions for the interviewer.
Your interviewer will ask if you have any questions at the end of your conversation. Show them your commitment to the job by preparing thoughtful questions that display curiosity and professionalism. Here are a few:
- What level of creative freedom do 3D artists have in designing and conceptualizing assets?
- How do you handle feedback and revisions during the creative process?
- How would you describe the company culture?
- Does the company encourage professional development or provide training opportunities for artists?
Bring a document with references.
Professional references will be helpful if the hiring manager decides to proceed with your application.
Create a list of two former colleagues and a former manager willing to vouch for your abilities to perform the artist role.
If this is your first full-time job, ask a former professor, volunteer coordinator or internship manager willing to evaluate your capabilities positively.
How we reviewed this article
Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process.
Rate this article
Artist
Natalia is a Content Writer based in Puerto Rico and a Certified Professional Résumé Writer. She is dedicated to leveraging her writing expertise to help job seekers reach their career goals.
