FREE 5+ Artist Statement Worksheet Samples in PDF

Artists are one of the most creative people in the world. They can express different emotions, viewpoints, opinions, interests, and ideas in the art they create. Furthermore, their compelling works of art can influence people and inspire them a lot. But sometimes, art can convey different meanings to people and the purpose and inspiration of the artist’s work can be lost in translation when various people put in their own interpretation of it. That’s why an artist needs to have a statement to explain their work; the idea behind it and the methods they used to create it. If you’re an artist reading this and want to know how to make a statement to use for your work, you’re in the right place. Read the article to find out how to make an artist statement.

5+ Artist Statement Worksheet Samples

1. Artist Statement Worksheet

2. Personal Artist Statement Critique Worksheet

3. Sample Artist Statement Worksheet

4. Artist Statement Rough Worksheet

5. Artist Statement Project Worksheet

6. Artist Statement Application Worksheet

What Is an Artist’s Statement?

An artist statement is basically an artist’s written description of their work to help clarify the artist’s own ideas about their work to the viewers. Furthermore, it’s also a privilege for curators, gallery dealers, and the public to have access to the descriptions of your work since this will be useful when critics review your work, writers feature your work in magazines and newspapers, and video bloggers to showcase your work in their videos. an artist statement is also not limited to showing your art during public viewing, it is also important if you want to pursue teaching in fine arts, studying in arts graduate school, or proposing to sponsors to fund your work.

An artist statement has different types. The most common ones are:

• Full-page statement: This type of statement is most often used by artists because it generally describes their work, the methods they used, the history of their work, etc., and examples of their current work.
• Short statement:  Similar to a full-page statement, although it only focuses on one specific work of the artist.
• Short project statement: A quick statement about the specific project the artist is presenting.
• Short biography: A short description of the artist’s career as an artist and their major accomplishments.

How to Write an Artist’s Statement

1. Know Your Viewers

To start writing your statement, find out who your audience is. Your writing style and the content of your statement will depend on your audience. Even if your statement talks about your work, you also have to make sure that you’re communicating with your audience. Make sure they get the message of your work through your statement.

2. Introduction

Start your statement with an introduction to your work. Make your introduction pop so readers would be interested in reading the rest of your statement. Your introduction should open with the work’s basic ideas in two or three sentences or a short paragraph.

3. Details of the Statement

Consider what your statement will say about you as an artist and your works. The second paragraph should go into detail about any issues or ideas are presented in the work. You can use the following points below to guide you on writing your statement:

• Why have you created the work?  What are you trying to say in the work?
• What or who influences your work?
• How do your methods or techniques support the content of your work?
• What’s the best way someone has responded to your artwork?
• What questions are you asked most frequently about your work?
• What’s your artist’s story?
• Who is your art for?
• What do you expect from your audience and how they will react?
• How your current work relates to your previous work?

End your statement with a strong summary such as identifying the overall theme of your art in one to two short sentences.

4. Other Important Points to Keep in Mind

When writing the artist statement, refer to yourself in the first-person point of view. Make sure your statement is a clear, direct, honest, and concise reflection of yourself as an artist and your work. Organize your important points in your statement. Significant ideas must be at the end of each sentence to emphasize them.

FAQs

Once you reviewed your statement and revised it to make sure it captures the description of the essence of your artistry and your work, it’s time to print them and present them. You can present them in a binder with your resume, list of artworks, and reviews or articles that feature your work, which you can use for a panel to screen your art or apply for a job, hang it on a wall to inform viewers of your artwork during a public viewing, include in the application package of the grant you’re applying for, or to anyone who would benefit the information. To help you get started on writing the statement, download our free sample templates provided above!