Professional Practice Handbook for Emerging Artists
A practical guide to artist bios, statements, CVs, portfolios and applications.
Written by artist and exhibition coordinator Caroline Borghetto.
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
Emerging artists applying for:
exhibitions
prizes
residencies
grants
gallery opportunities
FAQ
Is this suitable for complete beginners?
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.
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 Emerging Artists was created to help artists prepare these documents with clarity, confidence and professionalism.
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.
Preview
Clear documents. Confident submissions. Professional presence.
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 designed for:
Emerging artists
Art school graduates
Artists preparing exhibition applications
Artists applying for grants or residencies
Artists refining their professional documentation
You do not need exhibition experience to benefit from this resource.
FAQ
Is this suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. The handbook is designed to support artists at all stages of emerging 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
Emerging artists applying for:
exhibitions
prizes
residencies
grants
gallery opportunities
FAQ
Is this suitable for complete beginners?
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.