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Writing an Artist Statement: Home

A guide to writing about your art

What is an artist statement?

An artist statement is the main way, and sometimes the only way, you will communicate with an audience about your work.  A successful artist statement will give your viewers a deeper understanding of your work by highlighting the aspects that are most important to you.

 

Artist statements are living documents that will change over time as your work evolves.  The statement is typically used for grant proposals, graduate school, residencies, job applications, exhibitions, your website and publicity.  Remember to keep the audience in mind--- the statement you write for class might cater to a different audience than the statement on your website, but they should both leave people wanting to see more of your work.

 

An artist statement is essential to your art practice and career, and this guide will point you towards resources to help you craft your ideal statement!

 

A black line drawing by artist William Steig of a person with four sets of eyes looking in different directions. The figure is sitting at a desk and scribbling on a piece of paper with a pen and ink. There is a caption written at the bottom of the drawing that says "writer's block."Steig, William (American cartoonist, 1907-2003). Writer’s Block. Ink and graphite on paper, n.d. William Steig Collection, University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Kislak Center, JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.19121075.