by Kathy Gulrich
 

Yep, I said two.  The first resume is the one you write for galleries, shows, grants, and so on.  This is your 'public' art resume.  The second one - called an 'annotated' or 'documentary' resume - is just for you.  It does not go public. 

In a nutshell, your annotated resume is the resume that keeps track of all the details that are important to remember - but not appropriate to share with the world.
 

1 - Why You Need One

Here's a quick test:  Think about an art show or exhibition that you were in a year or so ago.

Have one in mind?  Okay, ask yourself these questions about that show:
 

• Which piece(s) of artwork did you show? 
• Was it a juried show? 
• Were the jurors or curators affiliated with any schools or galleries? 
• Did you sell your work? 
• How many pieces, and for how much? 
• Who bought them?

If you're like me, your recollection of the show is pretty darn fuzzy.  Imagine how much fuzzier it'll be in another couple of years!

That's why now is the best time to gather all the details about your shows (and awards, and collections), and get them written down.

You'll find that having all the information you need - in one place - is an incredible time-saver when you're planning for your future shows. 

How?  You'll know - at a glance - which shows worked well for you, and which didn't. 

You might also use this information to find new places to show your work:  If a guest juror chose your work for one show, they might consider it for another.

And from a totally practical standpoint, I love having one simple document that does the job of several 
bulging file folders of old show information!
 

2 - How to Write One

Now this is the easy part - because this resume is for your eyes only.  That means absolutely no worry about format or spacing or making things look great.  Wahoo! 

(Truth be told, I don't even run spell-check on mine....)

What kinds of things should you include?  Well, every time you add an exhibition or collection or award to your 'regular' resume, add as many of the following as you can to your annotated resume:
 

• exact show dates
• show (or award or gallery, or venue) name
• whether juried, invitational, etc.
• location (address, phone, website, etc.)
• curators, jurors, gallery directors - names, contact info, and any affiliations
• work submitted/accepted
• any awards
• any work sold (or donated)
• buyer's name/contact info

Plus any other information that seems important!
 

3 - A Peek at Mine

Enough talking about it.  Instead, I'll share what a couple of entries look like on my resumes.

On my 'regular' resume, I just list the year and location of the shows (no months, show names, etc.) like this: 

My annotated resume, however, lists the same show like this (names/contact info have been changed):

September 29 - November 1, 2003 - "Feed the Body, Feed the Soul", Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 South Monument Avenue, Hamilton, OH 45011. Pat Smith, Director of Exhibitions, 513-555-5555, fax 513-555-5555, www.fittoncenter.org.  Juror Mary Jones, Professor of Art, State University, Columbus, Ohio. DONATED wax resist, watercolor, Sumi ink painting 'Manhattan Blooms' (4"Hx6"W).

One more example....

On my art resume, simply:

Same show, on my annotated resume:

February 1 - March 14, 2003 - "Small Works", JURIED, Washington Square East Galleries, New York University, 80 Washington Square East, New York, NY 10003 - Juror:  Helen Smith, Owner/Director, Smith Gallery, Brooklyn; Mary King, Gallery Director - 'Spirit Dance' Sumi Ink, **sold 'Spirit Dance' to (buyer's name/address/phone) for $XXX.

When you write your annotated resume, feel free to include anything at all that you want to remember about the event.  I can assure you that you'll be happy to find notes like, "on the fifth floor, no elevator," or "took six months to get paid," before you re-book that show!
 

4 - When to Write Yours

Let's face it, your memory isn't likely to get any better.  And those file folders stuffed with show information are not likely to get any thinner. 

So just get it done.  (It really is pretty easy.)

And I can tell you from my own experience:  Once you get the info transferred to your annotated resume, tossing out that big pile of no-longer-needed file folders and photocopies and reminders and forms feels pretty darn good!