This two-part workshop is designed for artists at any stage of their career who need to craft or refine their artist statement and biography. Essential for portfolios, gallery submissions, and grant applications, a compelling artist statement and bio are vital tools for communicating an artist's intent and background to an audience. In this interactive session, participants will learn the key elements of effective artist statements and bios, understand how to tailor their narratives to different audiences, and engage in hands-on activities that include peer reviews and edits. The workshop will cover strategies for clear and engaging writing, avoiding common pitfalls, and expressing one’s artistic vision succinctly and powerfully. Participants will leave the workshop with a polished artist statement and bio ready for professional use.
This is a LIVE online hands-on workshop that invites local, regional, and national artists. As such, it also serves as a networking opportunity for artists to connect and share their practices.
This is a two-part workshop, with intentional time for reflection and editing in between. Participants should be prepared to write their draft, and edit others in-between the two sessions.
The two sessions are October 5 and 12th, from 1-3pm EST.
Participants will receive the Zoom link and materials one week before class starts.
Course Outcomes for Students -
- Understanding of Core Components: Participants will learn the essential components of both artist statements and bios, including what information should be included and how it should be structured to engage different audiences.
- Improved Writing Skills: Through guided exercises and examples, artists will improve their ability to write clearly and effectively, focusing on using active voice, engaging language, and avoiding jargon.
- Peer Feedback and Revision Techniques: Participants will engage in peer review sessions, providing and receiving feedback that will help refine their drafts. They will also learn revision techniques to further polish their statements and bios after the workshop.
- Tailored Artist Statements and Bios: Artists will learn how to tailor their statements and bios for various purposes, such as exhibition proposals, grant applications, and public presentations, ensuring that their writing aligns with the specific requirements and expectations of each context.
- Increased Confidence in Self-Presentation: By the end of the workshop, participants will gain confidence in their ability to express their artistic vision and background through written words, enhancing their professional presence in the art world.
- Completion of Drafts: Each participant will leave the workshop with a draft of their artist statement and bio, along with actionable steps and tools to finalize these documents for professional use.
Requirements -
This class is designed for emerging artists to midcareer artists looking to write their artist statements and bios for the first time, or to edit their current one.
Materials -
We encourage artists to bring their computers and/or notebook for writing. We also encourage artists to have photos of their work, and/or bring in a small selection of work so the class and facilitator can understand their style.
About the Facilitator -
Mallory Shotwell (she/her), the Founder and Director of Cultivate, an artist-run initiative in Grand Rapids, Michigan, shares a career that spans across arts administration, curation, and personal artistic exploration. With over a decade of experience, Shotwell's leadership at Cultivate has been pivotal in steering strategic gallery management and spearheading innovative educational programs. Her efforts have significantly contributed to fostering a vibrant art community that thrives on dialogue and collaboration.In her curatorial work, Shotwell has demonstrated a keen eye for nurturing both emerging and established artists, creating exhibitions that not only provoke thought but also foster artistic exchange. Through her curatorial projects, she aims to challenge perceptions and engage audiences in critical discourse on contemporary issues. This dedication underscores her belief in the power of art to connect, confront, and enlighten.Parallel to her roles in arts administration and curation, Shotwell's personal art practice delves into the exploration of the intersection between traditional mediums and digital innovations. Her work is deeply engaged with the narratives of human experience, employing a range of techniques from drawing and painting to new media and alternative photographic methods. This multidisciplinary approach reflects her commitment to articulating the complexities of the human condition through art.Her current body of work is the project "Suspended Self: the Liminal Space of Breast Cancer," a collaborative initiative with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This project, which compiles over 1500 narratives from women confronting breast cancer across the United States and Europe, stands as a testament to Shotwell's belief in the transformative power of art. It showcases her dedication to using art as a platform for social change, dialogue, and healing, epitomizing her efforts to dissolve the boundaries between art and activism.Overall, Mallory Shotwell's work with Cultivate, her curatorial endeavors, and her personal art practice form a compelling narrative of dedication to enriching the cultural landscape. Her career is a testament to her advocacy for the arts as a tool for education, societal transformation, and the advancement of artistic expression. Mallory's work has been exhibited with the Other Art Fair, presented by Saatchi Art, THELMA Sadoff Center for the Arts, the Indiana Green Invitational, the Pyle Center, Heckscher Museum of Art, and has partnered with organizations such as Pod Save America, the Bubbler, as well as numerous arts councils and organizations across the Midwest.
