How to write a CV for the arts

Clare Whitmell - Guardian

In the arts, where 'mosaic-style' careers paths are common, it's best to write a CV that paints a picture of your overall
career path, rather than documenting every single job or project
Arts professionals face unique CV writing challenges. Few earn a living exclusively from the arts, and the lack of defined
career structure often leads to a range of work and projects, with no consistent pattern of employment or employer. In a
live Q&A on performing arts and drama, Tom Maguire, chair of the Standing Conference of University Drama Departments
refers to this as a "mosaic career", where staying in the sector means "developing new skills and turning the skills you
have in new directions."

General guidelines
Develop more than one CV
You'll probably need different CVs to target different roles or industries, with one CV for arts and another for non-arts work.
Remember, though, skills or experience gained in one sector may be appropriate for another. Don't underestimate the
usefulness of admin or business skills in the arts, for example.

You may also need different CVs for different purposes. In the Quiz the film executives Q&A, Michael Berliner says: "Many
cinematographers will have a film CV and a commercials CV."

Be selective and concise

Aim to emphasise your overall career path, rather than documenting every single job or project. Rob Young, of the London
Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, suggests that a one page CV is appropriate for people starting out in theatre.

Be careful how you project yourself. Too many unpaid jobs can signal a lack of experience or confidence in your abilities.
Kate Elliott, of BECTU, says: "I'd prefer to see other unrelated paid work alongside a couple of unpaid positions in theatre
roles."

Highlight the practical value of qualifications and training

Make the value of your skills or education clear. For example, an MA is useful especially in management roles where you'll
need an understanding of government policy or business development. Marion de Mello Catlin, an independent cultural
development and communications professional, writes: "Arts people are (now) being required to understand research,
data, statistics, PIs (performance indicators), social and economic impacts, finance, etc."

Suggested CV format
Name, contact details (Include your website or LinkedIn URL – an online presence can help establish you as a
professional and increase your connections in the sector).

Profile/skills
Understand and clarify your niche. Writer and artist Alistair Gentry says: "You have to be the only person who can do what
you do in the way you do it. I have (a niche) and I definitely carved that niche. It wasn't sitting there waiting for me to just
slot in... "
In your profile you can also include specific, vocational skills gained through experience or training; and professional
affiliation membership if required for the role. Alternatively, you can create an Education / Professional Affiliations section.

Professional experience
Include self-employment and freelance work, voluntary activities, funded work and opportunities you've created yourself,
such as where you've partnered with other individuals or organisations.

Where possible, focus on tangible results to quantify your achievements. For example, practising artist, writer, lecturer and
curator Rosalind Davis suggests quantifying how many people came to events, or how much money was raised.

You don't need to organise this section chronologically. You can have different sub-headings, organising your work history
to reflect different types of activity, such as festivals, community projects and so on.
Consider an "Additional experience" section for non-arts work, emphasising any useful crossover skills, experience or
achievements.Add details of practical placements, mentoring or work shadowing.

Education history
If you have little professional experience, you can make your education section more prominent by moving it to under your
profile / skills section. Keep it brief, spotlighting your most relevant education and training.

Include a covering letter

This helps make sense of a diverse work history – especially if you can highlight relevant projects and skills, and your
commitment to the industry.