Remove the confusion from artist bios, statements, CVs and applications.
Clear, practical guidance that's simple to follow and easy to put into practice.
If you’ve ever second-guessed your artist bio, statement, CV, portfolio or application text, this handbook was created for you.
Written by an exhibiting artist and former exhibition coordinator, it offers clear, practical guidance to help artists prepare professional documents with confidence — without needing an arts degree or academic language.
Clear, practical and jargon-free. Designed to help you stop second-guessing and start applying with confidence.
Instant PDF download
33 pages | Templates | Examples | Practical guidance
A practical guide to writing artist bios, statements, CVs and portfolios.
Written by Caroline Borghetto, an exhibiting artist and exhibition coordinator with experience reviewing artist submissions and supporting gallery exhibitions from application through to installation.
Many strong artists struggle not with their work — but with explaining it clearly in applications.
Galleries, grants and residencies ask for the same documents again and again.
This guide shows you how to prepare them properly.
What You'll Leave With
✔ A professional artist bio you can reuse across applications
✔ A clear framework for writing artist statements
✔ A CV structure aligned with gallery expectations
✔ A stronger, more focused portfolio
✔ Greater confidence applying for exhibitions, grants and residencies
Who it’s for
Artists applying for:
exhibitions
prizes
residencies
grants
gallery opportunities
FAQ
Is this suitable for complete beginners and experienced artists?
Yes.
Is it relevant if I'm already exhibiting?
Yes.
Is this specific to one art medium?
No.
How is the handbook delivered?
Instant PDF download.
Why I created this…
Over the past several years, I've worked as both an artist and exhibition coordinator, supporting exhibitions from application through to installation and public presentation.
I've spent just as much time reading artist bios, statements, CVs and portfolios as I have writing my own.
I've seen talented artists miss opportunities not because of the quality of their work, but because they struggled to communicate it clearly.
This handbook was created to bridge that gap.
It is the guide I wish I had when I started!
Most artists don't struggle with the work.
They struggle with explaining it.
Writing artist bios, statements, CVs and portfolios can feel confusing, overly academic or unnecessarily complicated.
Yet these documents are often the first thing galleries, curators and selection panels encounter.
The Professional Practice Handbook for Artists was created to help artists prepare these documents with clarity, confidence and professionalism.
Preview
Is This You?
You freeze every time an application asks for an artist statement.
You wonder whether your artist bio sounds professional enough.
You've developed your practice through experience rather than formal arts training.
You're entering exhibitions, art prizes or open calls but aren't sure what selection panels are looking for.
You rewrite the same documents over and over again.
You know your work has progressed, but the professional side of being an artist still feels overwhelming.
If you recognised yourself in any of these, this handbook was written for you!
Inside You'll Learn How To:
✔ Write a professional artist bio that can be adapted across multiple contexts
✔ Develop artist statements that support the work rather than over-explain it
✔ Structure an artist CV that aligns with gallery expectations
✔ Build a stronger, more focused portfolio
✔ Approach applications with greater confidence and clarity
This handbook is for artists who are:
self-taught or returning to practice
based regionally or outside major art-school networks
applying for exhibitions, prizes, grants or residencies
unsure how to write about their work clearly
ready to present their practice more professionally
You do not need exhibition experience to benefit from this resource.
FAQ
Is this suitable for complete beginners and experienced artists?
Yes. The handbook is designed to support artists at all stages of practice.
Is it specific to one medium?
No. The frameworks apply across painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture and multidisciplinary practices.
How is it delivered?
Immediately after purchase as a downloadable PDF.
Will this help with gallery applications?
Yes. The handbook is specifically designed around the documents most commonly requested by galleries, grants and residency programs.
A practical guide to writing artist bios, statements, CVs and portfolios.
Written by Caroline Borghetto, an exhibiting artist and exhibition coordinator with experience reviewing artist submissions and supporting gallery exhibitions from application through to installation.
Many strong artists struggle not with their work — but with explaining it clearly in applications.
Galleries, grants and residencies ask for the same documents again and again.
This guide shows you how to prepare them properly.
What You'll Leave With
✔ A professional artist bio you can reuse across applications
✔ A clear framework for writing artist statements
✔ A CV structure aligned with gallery expectations
✔ A stronger, more focused portfolio
✔ Greater confidence applying for exhibitions, grants and residencies
Who it’s for
Artists applying for:
exhibitions
prizes
residencies
grants
gallery opportunities
FAQ
Is this suitable for complete beginners and experienced artists?
Yes.
Is it relevant if I'm already exhibiting?
Yes.
Is this specific to one art medium?
No.
How is the handbook delivered?
Instant PDF download.