
For artists navigating the professional world, understanding the difference between a curriculum vitae (CV) and a resume is essential. While both documents serve as tools to showcase your experience and skills, their purposes, structures, and audiences differ significantly. In the arts, where professional trajectories often involve a combination of exhibitions, teaching, and grants, the distinction is even more critical. This article explores the key differences, examines when to use each, and provides strategies for crafting these documents effectively.
What Is a CV?
The term “curriculum vitae” translates to “course of life” in Latin, reflecting its expansive scope. A CV is a comprehensive document that provides an exhaustive overview of an artist’s professional accomplishments, often stretching across multiple pages. According to How to Write About Contemporary Art by Gilda Williams, “A CV functions as an artist’s professional biography, detailing every aspect of their career, from solo exhibitions to residencies and publications. It is a living document that grows as the artist’s career evolves.”
CVs are typically used in academic, institutional, or grant contexts, where detailed documentation of one’s career is expected. In The Artist’s Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love, Jackie Battenfield notes that a CV is “essentially a record of credibility,” serving as proof of your activity and achievements within the art world. Key sections often include:
• Education and training
• Solo and group exhibitions
• Residencies
• Grants, fellowships, and awards
• Publications and reviews
• Professional experience, such as teaching or curatorial roles
Importantly, CVs are cumulative; they do not exclude past experiences as resumes often do. This inclusivity allows the document to serve as a comprehensive record of an artist’s trajectory, making it indispensable for applications to academic positions, residencies, or grants.
What Is a Resume?
By contrast, a resume is a concise, targeted document, usually no longer than one or two pages. Resumes prioritize brevity and relevance, tailored to a specific job or opportunity. While a CV emphasizes breadth, a resume emphasizes focus. As Williams explains, “A resume is an exercise in selection; it forces you to prioritize the most relevant aspects of your experience for a particular purpose.”
In the arts, resumes are often used when applying for non-academic jobs, such as positions in arts administration, gallery management, or design roles. Unlike CVs, resumes often include a “skills” section, where applicants highlight proficiencies in areas like software, project management, or languages. Battenfield notes that resumes are “about making connections between your experience and the needs of the position,” serving as a bridge between an artist’s skills and an employer’s expectations.
Key Differences: CV vs. Resume
1. Length and Detail
• A CV is exhaustive and can span several pages, while a resume is typically one or two pages.
• A CV includes every relevant experience, whereas a resume is tailored to a specific opportunity.
2. Audience
• CVs are aimed at academic or institutional audiences, such as universities, galleries, or granting organizations.
• Resumes are designed for employers in the job market, often outside strictly artistic contexts.
3. Format
• CVs often follow a chronological structure, listing experiences within categories such as “Exhibitions” or “Teaching Experience.”
• Resumes are more flexible and may use functional or skills-based formats depending on the job.
4. Purpose
• CVs document an artist’s entire career for the purpose of establishing credibility and a professional record.
• Resumes communicate specific qualifications for a particular job or role.
When to Use Each
Determining whether to use a CV or a resume depends on the context. For example:
• Use a CV: When applying for academic positions, artist residencies, grants, or exhibitions.
• Use a Resume: When applying for arts administration roles, freelance gigs, or jobs outside the art world.
It’s worth noting that some opportunities, such as gallery submissions, may request a “short CV” or a “bio-resume,” which blends elements of both formats. Battenfield advises artists to “read application guidelines carefully and provide exactly what is requested,” as misunderstanding requirements can jeopardize an otherwise strong application.
Crafting Effective Documents
1. For CVs
• Keep it well-organized and easy to read. Use clear headings for sections such as “Exhibitions,” “Education,” and “Awards.”
• Update it regularly. Battenfield emphasizes that “a CV is a living document,” and adding achievements promptly ensures accuracy.
• Avoid padding. Only include experiences that are directly relevant to your career as an artist.
2. For Resumes
• Tailor it for each job. Highlight experiences and skills that align with the position’s requirements.
• Focus on clarity. Gilda Williams advises, “Resumes should tell a story quickly. Use bullet points and action verbs to convey your contributions.”
• Include a skills section if relevant, particularly for roles requiring technical or administrative expertise.
3. General Tips
• Proofread meticulously. Typos can undermine your professionalism.
• Use consistent formatting, such as matching fonts and spacing.
• Be honest. Do not inflate your accomplishments, as this can backfire during interviews or references.
Understanding the differences between a CV and a resume is crucial for artists seeking opportunities across various professional contexts. While a CV provides a comprehensive record of your artistic career, a resume distills your experience into a focused, targeted narrative. Both documents are essential tools, and learning to craft each effectively will ensure you’re prepared for any opportunity that comes your way.
By recognizing the unique role each plays, artists can better navigate the professional landscape, whether applying for residencies, grants, or jobs. As Jackie Battenfield puts it, “Your career is built one opportunity at a time, and your CV or resume is often the first impression you make. Make it count.”
Works Cited
• Battenfield, Jackie. The Artist’s Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love. Da Capo Press, 2009.
• Williams, Gilda. How to Write About Contemporary Art. Thames & Hudson, 2014.
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