artist project description

How to write Project Descriptions, Technical Descriptions, and Artist Statements

Hello, welcome back to another episode of Art Discourse. Today we’re answer the question that: 

  “For written components, what information should be included in a project description and a technical description?”

This is such a great question because writing effective project descriptions, technical descriptions and artist statements are crucial elements to any grant application, gallery application or artist residency application.

PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS

What is a Project Description for an Art Application?

A project description is not an artist statement; it’s a focused account of what the project entails. To nail this section, specificity is key. Address the crucial questions: where, what, why, when, and how. 

Here’s an example from our own application for an Ontario Arts Council Emerging Artist Grant. For this grant Kyle was asking for funding to support research in non-toxic stone lithography. The project description outlined the purpose, materials, and the need of the research funding (created by a recent equipment donation).

Here is the actual project description from that grant application. 

Before starting my career in the arts, I worked with my father in construction. Here I quickly realized I had a passion for process, precision and the honing of a craft. These themes were central to my undergraduate work in printmaking, completed under the supervision of Otis Tamasaukskas, a renowned Canadian lithographer. With his guidance, I acquired technical ability in a variety of printmaking processes – intaglio, plate and stone lithography and screen printing. Since graduating, I have devoted my practice to advancing my understanding of printmaking traditions, as well as in researching new processes. These new methods are driven by a concern for the impact of printmaking on the environment, a subject which was absent from my artistic education.

As an artist working in a rural setting, there is significant consideration given to the impact my work has on the environment I live in. The materials I put down the drain affect my drinking water and my septic system. I have been independently researching non-toxic printing methods for the past ten years, and have successfully adopted and shared my results and methods of copper plate etching and polyermate printing. With this grant, I would push this research into the art of stone lithography. Stone lithography was a major focus of my practice during my undergraduate studies, but I have not been able to work in this process in my studio due to its high toxicity and the expense of purchasing materials.

I have recently received a large donation of lithography materials from Station Gallery including stones, all tools required for stone preparation and a lithography press. While I have the knowledge to work with these materials in a traditional practice, using acids and mineral spirits, I plan to develop a process that will avoid these highly toxic materials. I will spend twelve months researching and implementing methods of stone lithography that are both effective and environmentally sound.

Utilizing methods taught by leaders in sustainable printmaking (such as Dwight Pogue, Friedhard Kiekeben, and Zea Mays Printmaking Studio) I will explore a variety of possible methods. The funding provided by this grant will be used to:

• Purchase materials from D&S, a company creating plant-based biodegradable lithography solutions
• Adapt my studio to accommodate the printing of stones, including the development of a safe stone grinding solution for septic systems
• Artist fees associated with the research and development time
• Purchase of printing materials such as paper, drawing materials and ink.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS

What is a Technical Description?

While less commonly requested, a technical description provides an opportunity to delve into the logistics and details of your project. For instance, in the context of printmaking, the technical description may involve specifics on stone preparation, chemical usage, and even alternative methods like photo transfer.

When we are working on installation projects we always provide detailed technical information for the gallery or space that we are creating an installation for. In our project creating 1,000 screenprinted butterflies we drafted many plans to ensure that we could accomplish the goals of the project and the team we were working with knew how the piece would look in the end. To see this breakdown check out this post: Creating a Public Art Installation

Here is another example of a technical description we created for a large scale public art installation.

ARTIST STATEMENTS

What is an Artist Statement?

Distinct from the project description, an artist statement delves into the broader themes of your practice. It answers questions about the imagery you use, the chosen themes, material relevance, and any social or environmental aspects. The artist statement provides a conceptual backdrop to your entire practice.

Here is an example of Kyle’s artist statement that was used for the same OAC grant mentioned above.

I am a multi-disciplinary artist based in Prince Edward County, Ontario, where I own and operate Spark Box Studio, an artist residency, print studio and educational facility. My work has been exhibited in both Canada and the United States. I am a former professor of Art & Design at Loyalist College and hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Queen’s University. My solo projects have recently been featured in the Superradiance exhibition held at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre. 

Drawing on scientific findings and current events, I create work that has roots in collage. Diagrams, blueprints and schematics are the building blocks of my visual language. Starting with a selection of found images, I look for new ways of interpreting science and technology. I assemble these images into nontraditional compositions, which are redrawn and translated into prints. My preferred processes are relief print, screen print and etching.

The goal of my work is to balance the technical vernacular of scientific research with images that veer into the fantastical and absurd. My work explores the way the visual language of science confers credibility, developing a fictional scientific mythology to interrogate climate science, the environment and the impact we have on the planet. 

As the owner of a rural printmaking studio, I have spent thirteen years researching and implementing environmentally conscious printmaking methods. I have adopted safer forms of copper plate etching, using acrylic resists and ferric chloride instead of the traditional acid bath. I received an OAC grant in 2012  to research polyermate printing as a non-toxic alternative to traditional etching. In 2020 I received an OAC grant to research non-toxic stone lithography. These projects yielded excellent results, and these processes are essential to my current work.

LINKING IT ALL TOGETHER

When constructing your application, ensure that each component works independently yet references the others. For instance, in the grant application we shared the artist statement touched on the environmental aspects of Kyle’s printmaking practice, creating a subtle connection with the project descriptions focus on non-toxic lithography.

If you want to see how that grant turned out check out our video series about the whole process: Non-toxic Stone Lithography Grant Project

If you have a burning question, share it in the comments below or find our email on the about page. We’d love to answer it in our next episode!

Welcome back to another Artist Confessional. In this post, we're diving into the world of screen printing here at Spark Box Studio while printing my artwork "Tidal Power."

We're going to talk about the materials, the cost, the process, and the varying degrees you can alter the process to make it more DIY!

So, grab a seat and let's dive into the printing process!

When I left undergrad back in 2009, I didn't know how to go about printmaking outside of a university. 

How much does equipment cost? Where do you buy it? What are all the materials components necessary? And so on ...

I was really uncertain.

Maybe some of you feel the same way.

Let's look at each stage of my screen printing process along with the tools and materials I use, including their costs.

My process starts digitally. This isn't the same for everybody, some people work in an analog process. I create my drawings in Photoshop using a Huion Display Tablet and an M1 Mac Mini .

I like working digitally because I include a lot of finicky detail and with a digital drawing I can grow the image until I'm able to make large gesturals marks, even though they are a fraction of an inch. 

When all of the arting is said and done, it's time to take the file and translate it into individual stencils.

That means colour separating out the image. So if my print was going to have red, green, blue, and black, I would create four different stencils, one for each of those colors.

How I separate those colours?

In Photoshop, I work in layers, one layer for each of the colors. If I was working analog, I would have to drawn a stencil for each one of those colours.

Once I have the colours separated, I take the hue and saturation tool and rip out all of the saturation making each layer as dark as possible so that it is pure black or white.

How to print the screen print stencils

Now I need to print each colour onto a piece of positive film. 

W hat's a positive film? A positive film is a piece of plastic that has a adhesive coating on one side. It goes face up in your inkjet printer , this way, when the inkjet printer prints the ink stays in stuck to the adhesive.

STUDIO PREP FOR SCREEN PRINT

Coating your screens.

Once our image is great we're going to head into the print shop and coat our screens with a UV based emulsion . 

There is a wide variety of different types of emulsion. Some are for use with oil based inks, some are for water based inks, some are for long additions, others are for textiles and so on. 

Once your screen is coated you want to let it dry  in a enclosed box that is blocking light from coming in. We created a DIY cabinet with wood rails and a magnetic latch door. We generally leave our screens overnight to dry.

Shooting your screens

Once my  screens are dry I place them and my stencil into my UV exposure unit . The positive film is placed first with the ink face up and then we put our screen on top with the emulsion face down. Then we close the lid, turn on the vacuum seal and the light.  The UV light shinces through the plastic. The black ink will block the light, keeping that area of the screen unexposed but exposing all the other areas which will harden the emulsion.  

There are cheaper ways to expose screen, such as single point exposure systems with a bulb. The unit we use offers consistency and speed which is important for us and the way we work. 

After the screen has been exposed  I take it out and put it into the spray booth and immediately start spraying it with water. The water stops the chemical reaction that is causing the emulsion to harden in spots when exposed to UV light. This will also wash away any of the emulsion that was not exposed to the UV based light revealing the image. 

Our print studio has a range of DIY to professional equipment and the spray booth is one of those places that DIY. 

The spray booth is constructed out of the  cheapest corner shower unit I could find at Home Hardware. It is raised up and cut in half.  The feature my DIY spray booth doesn't have that a professional spray booth does is a backlight wall which makes cleaning screens a lot easier.

Mixing Inks for screen print

I'm using Tri Art screen printing inks. These inks use a clear base and colour inks to achieve different levels of transparency.

Cutting Paper

For every print in the edition I need a corresponding piece of paper, which means I have a lot of paper to cut. 

We use archival printmaking paper which comes as large sheets. I cut these sheets down the the size of the print I am making. It can sometimes take hours just to cut and prep paper. I regret not investing in a paper cutter when we first opened the studio. Or purchasing one any time over the 15 years we've been running.  I t would expedite this step in the workflow.

SCREEN PRINTING THE EDITION

Setting up the printing station.

Another area of our studio that features many DIY elements is our screen printing station. I would love to invest in one of the crazy cool vacuum tables. But instead I have a donated desk that I reinforced in ( you can see that process this previous video ), which basic hinges attached. It does okay.  What this DIY stations has forced me to do is become really great at registration and my technical skills as a printmaker😄.

Other key elements at my printing station are:  clear acetate for registration, a squeegee (with custom diy squeegee holder),  some wooden blocks to help prop up the screen and keep it from touching the print, a bowl of water, our ink and paper, paper towel, some newsprint and spatulas.

For this edition I am going to work from the lightest color to the darkest color.

This print is called "Tidal Power" and was created for an exhibition at Blizzmax Gallery and as the print perk for our Patreon Community .

This print is part of my series exploring new and renewable energy sources. Specifically, it focuses on a double basin tidal generator as a solution to the challenges faced by traditional tidal generators. Unlike single basin designs, the double basin setup ensures continuous power generation by cycling water between two containers, allowing the generator to operate throughout the day, regardless of tidal fluctuations.

And there you have it!

Our printing journey from start to finish.

Thanks so much for joining me in the studio.

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How to Write an Artist Statement - All you Need to Know

Your artist's statement is your chance to talk not just through your art but about your art. You can use your artist's statement to reveal the concepts, philosophy, themes and ideas behind your artwork and this useful guide will tell you how!

What is an Artist Statement? 

 An artist's statement is as important as an artist's work. Simply put, the artist statement is a brief description of your artworks that shapes the viewers' perspective when they are looking at your art.

Think of it as your substitute when you are not present to answer questions related to your art. Art is subjective. People will look at your craft and evaluate it. So, it helps if you communicate your story to the viewer. Viewers often have questions about the art they are looking at. An effective artist statement answers those questions while you are not there.

Writing an artist statement should ideally be natural and free flowing because essentially, you are expressing your own story. However, it can seem challenging to put one together. 

Creative professionals write artist statements as part of their online portfolio. An online portfolio acts as your professional address and launchpad to find work opportunities and recognition. Artist statements go hand-in-hand with a online portfolio website . A website helps you gain credibility and legitimacy. Take a look at some great examples of artist portfolio websites .

Create your artist portfolio website  on Pixpa within minutes without any coding. Start your free trial. No credit card required .

Given below are a few valuable tips from professional essay writers that will help you to write a clear, concise, and compelling artist statement.   Here are stunning  great tattoo artist portfolio website examples  designed for your use. 

How to write an artist statement – The structure

Your artist statement is about YOU. So you must make it personal. Writing an artist statement is also an exercise for you to clarify your ideas about your work. 

• What is the intent and purpose of your art?
• What does it say about you as an artist?
• What keeps you motivated every day?
• What is your artist story?
• What questions are you often asked about your work?
• Who is your audience

You must establish the connection between what you are creating as an artist, and why are you doing it. How are you expressing your ideas with the medium of your choice?

Your artist statement is an introduction to your work and should be no more than 100 -150 words. The opening sentence should be distinct and captivating and draw the readers in. Begin with a short paragraph about the basic premise behind your work, artistic style, and vision. What do you want to say with your art? What is it that makes your work unique? What inspires you? What makes you stand out from the rest of the artists working in your space? 

Be honest about your work. Avoid repetition of words. Use simple language and short sentences that draw attention to, and illustrate your ideas to your audience 

The next paragraph should be a concise expression of the type of work presented and the artistic process. Describe your job, your favorite colors, and your technique as an. As a photographer, explain your work from a creative and technical standpoint.

An artist statement can be a full-page statement or a short statement, only focusing on your current project.

In a full-page artist statement, do remember to include the following:

• The reason behind creating your work and its history
• Overall vision
• The context of your work -Medium, artistic process, technique, and influences. Highlight what materials you work with and your sources and inspiration
• The expectations of your audience and how they perceive your work
• Your current work’s relation to your previous projects
• How your work fits with current contemporary art practice

Tip: While writing, do remember that you should avoid exaggerated statements and avoid pretentiously grand terms like 'the only one' or the 'best.'

Where is an artist statement used?

Remember, an artist statement complements your bio or resume.  It is an opportunity to help the reader envision your work before actually seeing it, and present a picture of who you are as an artist. 

Here are a few places where you may need to submit your artist statement:

• To a gallery owner or curator who needs details about your work.
• To a competitive event or an artist collective.
• When applying to graduate school
• When applying for grants or art scholarships
• When applying for a teaching position.
• To a reviewer who is writing about your work for a magazine or catalog.
• As an introduction to your creative work for potential buyers.

Along with your portfolio of works, you must have an artist statement ready at all times. It is the first point of communication between you as an artist and the viewer.

Examples of famous artist statements

Here are some artist statement examples that you can get inspired from:

Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, silkscreen print

"I long for the old days of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, stars who had real glamour and mystique. We only knew so much about their lives; the rest was a mystery… My fascination with letting images repeat and repeat – or in a film's case 'run on' – manifests my belief is that we spend much of our lives seeing without observing."

Leonardo da Vinci, Salvator Mundi. Wikipedia

"The beginnings and ends of shadow lie between the light and darkness and may be infinitely diminished and infinitely increased. Shadow is the means by which bodies display their form. The forms of bodies could not be understood in detail but for shadow."

Painting by Berthe Morisot

"It is important to express oneself… provided the feelings are real and are taken from your own experience… My ambition is limited to capturing something transient, and yet, this ambition is excessive."

From any of the sample artist statements above, you can understand that conveying the purpose of your art and your philosophy towards it is important.

Check out these great examples of  artist portfolio websites  for your inspiration and further examples of artist statements.

Tips for writing a compelling artist statement:

1. share the inspiration behind your art.

One of the best ways to introduce your art to the viewers is to write about the inspiration behind it. This lays a foundation before you begin to explain your artwork to your viewers. Inspiration can be a daily phenomenon or a particular incident. Regardless, explain it in as simple words as you can. This act accomplishes the principal goal of connecting with the viewer. Not doing so leaves a viewer unconnected, especially if it's abstract art. Without it, your art is a splash of multiple colors on canvas with nothing to make of it.

2. Shape the viewer's perspective

The next important thing to do when you write an artist statement is to explain your art in words that would shape the perspective of viewers. Your art is your viewpoint, and one can easily misunderstand it. To ensure that you and the viewer are on the same page, add a line or two to explain your art. But, restrain from divulging all the details about your work. Try to leave a little room for curiosity such that the viewer is bound to further inquire about your art.

3. Keep the artist statement as small as possible

If you are wondering how long should your artist statement be, then you should know that lengthy biographies drain viewers, especially when they are out to see beautiful art. A lot of fancy words make a statement boring and challenging to comprehend. A long-winded explanation makes the work appear insecure.

Some of the best artist statements are under 100 words. A rule of thumb that you can follow here is - the shorter, the better. Find an example of an artist statement that you can relate to and get inspired by ideas from it.

Consider this as the most critical point in your lessons on how to write an artist statement. An effective artist statement is anywhere from a hundred words to one-page-long. To bring your statement in this range, cut down on technical details and fancy words that you may have included in your artist statement.

4. Use an active voice

Write your artist statement in an active voice. It makes the tone more conversational as if you are speaking to your viewer in person. It establishes an instant connection with the viewer. Use online editing tools like  the Hemingway  App to ensure that your artist statement appears in the active voice. 

5. Avoid spelling and grammatical mistakes

One of the primary purposes of an artist statement is to draw the audience into your artworks and lead them to explore your art further. A sloppy artist statement puts a reader off, departing them with less interest or no interest in art at all. Inconsistency in writing, typos, and spelling errors might turn a viewer away.

You can use tools like  Grammarly  to avoid small grammatical mistakes. A well-punctuated, typo-free, artist statement is a joy to read.

Here's a simple list of do's and don'ts to sum everything up. You can use this as your artist statement format:

Do’s - Best practices to create a successful artist statement

• Keep your artist statement short
• Be specific and on the point
• Bring clarity, confidence and focus on your statement
• Write about 'Why' you created the artwork
• Use precise details such as where you are from, where you live, your medium and style of work
• Use active voice
• Always write in the first person. Use "I" instead of "you" in your sentences. This helps in writing a statement that is easily readable by the viewer. Do remember to keep your bio updated

A few DONT’S to remember while writing your artist statement:

• Don't be pompous. It shouldn't just highlight your accomplishments.
• Do not generalize or romanticize
• It should not be too long 
• Avoid grammatical errors
• Don't use unnecessary references or things unrelated to your work
• Do not use passive voice
• It should not read like a cliched vision statement
• Do not summarize your biographical information or CV in your artist statement

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Do get feedback about your artist statement from your friends, peers, and mentors, before you start using it. Make sure that you get at least three people to proofread it for you. A good practice is to have a friend read the artist statement aloud to you. Hearing it out loud can help you identify mistakes and assess the statement objectively.

Make sure that your artist statement converses in a simple language that everyone understands.

Remember, your artist statement will not just represent your work on your artist portfolio. It will also serve as an example of your professionalism and expertise. An effective artist statement will draw more people to your work, enhance their experience, and help them appreciate it.

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Artist Guide

How To Write The Perfect Artwork Description

When it comes to selling your art, the more information that you provide in your artwork description the better! After all, this is where your customer will turn to learn more about your piece.

The best artwork descriptions on Artfinder comprise two sections: one detailing the inspiration behind the piece and another presenting the bare facts .

The inspirational bit

This component of the description will need to refer directly to the artwork at hand. There's no perfect formula for this, however it does need to be engaging! Remember that it should reflect you and your personality, as well as your enthusiasm for your work.

You may wish to mention the following:

• What inspired you to create the piece?
• What techniques did you use and why?
• What does it mean to you?
• What does it represent in terms of your artistic work as a whole?

Bear in mind that along with our usual criteria for excellent listings , we look for detailed and inspirational artwork descriptions for our Art of the Day email feature. So if you tick all of the boxes, you are more likely to be selected!

The factual bit

It’s worth spending a little more time on this component to ensure that you have every possible factor that the customer could wish to know. The good news is, though, that you can then copy and paste the same formula into each listing and tweak it to make it relevant to your artwork.

• Materials used – include canvas type , materials used e.g. pastels or pencils
• Dimensions – include these in centimetres and inches for extra clarity
• Packaging - explain your packaging process. Will the work be packed in bubble wrap or rolled? Do you offer to ship artworks both rolled and stretched?
• Delivery - expand on your courier and shipping times
• Anything else to add? Maybe you want to encourage the customer to get in touch with you directly with any questions

Image courtesy of Marcel Garbi

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What is the perfect listing.

Let’s take a hypothetical situation. You’re shopping online for a special new coffee table. You find one you like the look of, but there’s no description and only one picture. Do you buy it?

The basics of secondary imagery

It's one thing to provide your customer with clear, well-lit images of your product. But by going that extra step further and presenting the artwork in context or with a frame, you remove that element of guesswork so frequently associated with purchasing online - how will it look in my home?

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Art Marketing

The art of writing about your art: from artwork description to artist statement.

If you’re reading an article titled “How to write an artist statement” there must be an important deadline on your horizon that requires you to write this description of what you do and how you do it as an artist . Usually, statements are a requirement along with a resume and portfolio for grants, exhibitions , masters, and degrees.

But why is writing an artist statement a synonym of stress , hours looking at a blank page, and clocks apparently ticking faster than they usually do? Well, most artists spend so much time immersed in their craft, that when it comes to putting it in words the task can be daunting. But no one knows what you do, how, and why you do it better than you . Writing an artist statement is just a matter organizing your ideas and opening yourself to share your work with others.

Why polishing your writing skills is key to growing as an artist or art business

Language helps us elaborate on a subject and create a connection with the reader. It’s also a tool to focus people’s attention on particular characteristics and even, to drive them to follow an action, like moving forward in the art buyer’s journey you have designed for people that have shown interest in your work.

Writing is an indispensable skill in a world where the digital and physical spaces are intertwined . Creative writing is an essential part of any art marketing strategy or communication plan that aims to promote your work and get it noticed online or offline. 

Plus, there are several instances where you will need to use your writing skills as an artist, for example:

-Creating your own business or professional website .

-Writing a blog post to engage with your audience.

-Coming up with a creative caption for your social media posts ,

-Improving your artwork descriptions for exhibitions or e-commerce websites .

-Describing your virtual exhibition or online art show .

-Crafting an artist statement or an exhibition statement .

-Updating your artist resume .

-Crafting an exhibition proposal.

-Writing invitations for an art show.

-Creating an art or artist newsletter or any email communication.

-Submitting your work for art fairs.

-Applying for scholarships, awards, grants, and residencies.

-Filling out your application for teaching opportunities.

-Drafting an art business plan.

How to break free from “writer’s block” as an artist

Have you ever faced the fear that only a blank canvas can produce? The same thing might happen when you face a blank page and the pressure to write. It happens to everyone, even the most prolific writers.

Writer’s block is only a period when your creative flow finds a roadblock, and there are many ways to break from it. Here are some ideas to spark your imagination and get you into writing:

– Record yourself: use the recording app on your mobile phone and freely talk about the subject you want to write about. After, you can listen to yourself, take notes, and turn them into text.

– Talk to a friend: a really good prompt to get you writing about any subject is leaving aside the pressure of sounding “artsy” or “professional”, and telling whatever you want to express in your own words like you would do in an intimate conversation with a friend.

– Use AI tools: technology is always there to help you, if you don’t know where to start you can use AI software to draft general ideas or even the structure of the text. Here are some proven ChatGPT prompts to write everything from an artwork description to an email.

– Feed your creativity: remember that Pablo Picasso quote, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working”? Well, sometimes, you need to work to get inspired. Read a book or an article about the subject you want to write about, listen to music that gets you in the right mindset, and even watch a movie or series that can give you a different point of view about that theme. 

Prompts to write about your artwork

If you want to exercise the way you write about your art and what you create, following creative prompts is a good way to take you to new places and express yourself beyond the canvas (or medium of preference). Here is a list of prompts, ideas, or phrases to follow and get you writing about your art and create a first draft: 

-I usually find inspiration in…

-I created this because…

-My primary emotion while making this was…

-My main influences are…

-I decided to work with this medium because…

-What you are looking at is…

-Through my creations, I’m investigating…

-I chose this subject because…

-The concept of this artwork came to me when…

-I could describe my creative process as

-What defines my body of work/collection/group of artworks is…

List of adjectives to write about your art

In their most simple definition, adjectives are words we use to describe characteristics of a certain subject. When you are writing about art, these are your tools to convey your impressions and ideas about a certain piece and communicate them to the reader.

Here is a list of art-related adjectives you can use to nurture your writing:

– About the style or genre: abstract, realistic, modern, contemporary, digital, postmodern, expressionist, mixed media, avant-garde, minimalist, pop art, pointillist, sculptural, surrealist. 

– About the subject: portrait, self-portrait, still-life, landscape, symbolic, figurative, seascape, mythological. 

– About the tone: expressive, symbolic, provocative, articulated, crude, defying, dramatic, dynamic, evocative, fragmented, gestural, harmonious, introspective, interactive, organic, subliminal, traditional, and experimental.

– About the colors: bright, saturated, muted, subtle, bold, monochrome, contrasting, tonal, complementary, balanced, vibrant, warm and cool.

Want to continue expanding your vocabulary? Check these lists of art terms every creative should know: Part 1 and Part 2 .

Start writing about your artworks: “fill in the blank” exercises

Now that you know how to find inspiration, and even have a list of prompts to motivate you to write, it’s time to work on different formats that you will certainly use for career or art business purposes .

Take these “fill in the blank” exercises as a first draft for any of the suggested content, you should always revisit them, and edit them before publishing. Remember to always check twice for grammar and spelling mistakes.

How to write an artist’s statement

Artist’s statements are usually the welcome message to their exhibitions and related publications. This text is also a way to present themselves and their work in summary, covering the main information any art lover or potential collector should know about their body of work and the person behind it at first glance.

Draft your first artist’s statement with this “fill in the blank” example:

“(Artist’s name) is a (type of artist) whose work delves into ideas of (broad topic). This exhibition brings together (types of artworks) that explore (narrow theme).”

How to write a press release

Part of the success of a virtual or in situ exhibition relies on a killer art marketing strategy to promote it. One of the main assets you will need to prepare to get media attention and assistance is a press release. You can start working on your own with this exercise, just fill in the blank spaces:

“Press release title: (name of artists) presents (name of exhibition) at (venue or website)

(Artist’s name or collective) presents their latest exhibition (name of the art show) based on (overall theme) in (name and location of the venue or link to website for online shows) from (opening date) to (full duration of the exhibition).

Dive into the work of (artist’s name), who lives in (location), where they have developed a body of work focused on (themes). They have a background on (education or experience) and have been the recipient of (awards, grants, and residencies).

With their latest work (artist’s name) explores (themes), focusing on (subjects) through the use of (medium or technique). The exhibition conveys (visitor’s experience) as a result of the work with (name of curator).

Contact information: email, phone number, website, and social media channels”

Check Gita Joshi ’s prompts and recommendations for writing a press release on this exclusive ArtPlacer Academy webinar “ How to craft an art show proposal ”. Take the lesson by logging into your ArtPlacer account or starting your free trial.

How to write an artwork description

One of the most important texts you will write is an artwork description, this text is essential to drive traffic to your website, and e-commerce page, to get your art noticed by people looking for similar creations on social media. This is also used for gallery and exhibition purposes. 

With this basic “fill in the blank” form, you will be able to quickly come up with a draft for a description for any artwork:

“(name of the artwork) created by (artist’s name) on (medium) with (technique or style). This piece details/captures (subject matter) inspired by (theme).”

How to write a short bio for an artist

A short bio of you as an artist could be requested when applying for a job, when working on the “About me” page of your website, or the brochure of your next exhibition. This might be one of the texts that artists usually hesitate to write because it is difficult to summarize oneself in a few words, but with this “fill in” exercise you’ll come up with a starting paragraph for it.

Remember: your bio can be written in the first or third person depending on where you are going to present it and the tone you need to convey.

“(Artist’s name) is a (type of artist), based on/from (country, city). Born in (year), his/her/their work focuses on (main themes) which they explore through (preferred medium). They have a background in (expertise) having assisted to (academic background) and have worked with (previous commissioned work or general working background). They are inspired by (themes) and moved by the exploration of (subjects), they have been influenced by (general influences). They have exhibited their work in (previous exhibitions) and are the recipient of (awards, residencies)” 

Now that you know the basics, you can start working on your texts and polishing your writing skills to better communicate your vision as an artist!

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Proposal Template AI

Free proposal templates in word, powerpoint, pdf and more

Artist Proposal Template: A Comprehensive Guide + Free Template Download + How to Write it

The importance of an artist proposal template.

As an artist, I know the importance of creating a compelling proposal when applying for exhibitions, grants, or commissions. However, standard proposal templates don’t always cater to the unique needs and requirements of artists. That’s where an Artist Proposal Template comes in. This specialized template is designed to help artists showcase their work, communicate their vision, and stand out in a way that a standard proposal simply can’t. In this article, we will explore the significance of using an Artist Proposal Template and how it differs from a traditional proposal format .

Artist Proposal Template

• Introduction

My advice on the introduction section of the artist proposal template is to provide a brief overview of the proposal, including the purpose of the project and what you aim to achieve through it. This is your opportunity to grab the reader’s attention and convey the importance of your proposal.

Artist Statement

In this section, I would suggest including a persuasive and authentic artist statement that outlines your creative vision, inspiration, and artistic approach. Your artist statement should be compelling and help the reader understand your unique perspective as an artist.

Project Description

When writing the project description , it’s important to clearly define the scope, goals, and objectives of the project. Describe the concept, themes, and methodology you plan to use in your artistic endeavor. This section should provide a clear picture of what the project entails and how it will contribute to the arts community.

The budget section of the artist proposal template should outline the financial aspects of the project, including a breakdown of expenses such as materials, equipment, personnel, and any other costs associated with the project. It’s important to be transparent and realistic in your budget, demonstrating that you have carefully considered the financial requirements of your project.

In this section, you should provide a detailed timeline for the project, including key milestones, deadlines, and the overall duration of the project. It’s important to demonstrate that you have a clear plan for executing the project within a reasonable timeframe.

Supporting Materials

• When including supporting materials, such as images of your previous work, letters of recommendation, or press clippings, my advice is to choose materials that best showcase your abilities and accomplishments as an artist. These materials should reinforce the quality and potential of your project.

By using these examples and following the advice provided, artists can enhance their proposal template by ensuring that each section is clearly articulated, persuasive, and well-supported. Taking the time to craft a compelling artist proposal can significantly increase the chances of securing funding or support for your artistic endeavors.

Download free Artist Proposal Template in Word DocX, Powerpoint PPTX, and PDF. We included Artist Proposal Template examples as well.

Download Free Artist Proposal Template PDF and Examples Download Free Artist Proposal Template Word Document

Download Free Artist Proposal Template Powerpoint

FAQ for Artist Proposal Template

1. what is an artist proposal template.

An artist proposal template is a document that outlines the details of a proposed artistic project or collaboration. It typically includes information such as the artist’s biography, project description , budget, and timeline.

2. How can I use the artist proposal template?

You can use the artist proposal template by filling in the necessary details for your proposed project or collaboration. Customize the template to fit your specific needs and artistic vision.

3. What are the key elements of an artist proposal template?

The key elements of an artist proposal template typically include the artist’s biography, project description , timeline, budget, and any additional supporting materials such as visual references or previous work samples.

4. Can I use the artist proposal template for different types of artistic projects?

Yes, the artist proposal template can be used for a variety of artistic projects, including visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, and more. It is a versatile tool that can be adapted to different creative endeavors.

5. How should I format my artist proposal using the template?

You can format your artist proposal by following the guidelines and sections provided in the template. Be sure to organize your information in a clear and concise manner to effectively communicate your artistic vision and project details .

6. Is the artist proposal template customizable?

Yes, the artist proposal template is customizable. You can modify the sections, headings, and content to best fit your specific project and artistic style.

7. Where can I find a good artist proposal template?

You can find artist proposal templates online through various websites, design platforms, and creative resource hubs. Look for a template that aligns with your project needs and artistic vision.

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How to Write a Project Description

MAC’s team of program consultants. Left to right: Martine Friesen, Tracey Longbottom, Deirdre Tomkins, Cathleen Enns and Cheryl Miki.

For many MAC grant applications, you’ll be asked to fill out a section called the “project description.” This is where you have the opportunity to describe your proposed project in detail and why you want to do it.

For some applicants, this can be one of the most intimidating sections of a grant application. To help you navigate this section, we’ve asked our team of MAC program consultants for handy tips on writing your best project description.

1. Start strong

Within the first sentence of your projection description, try to answer the most important question: what are you going to do with this grant?

“Are you going to paint? Are you going to write poetry? Are you screening a film? Are you hosting an event? This should be clear right from the start,” says Martine Friesen, MAC program consultant.

2. Answer the 5 W’s (and H)

Make sure the project description answers the six big questions:

What are you going to do with this grant?

Who will you be working with?

When will this project take place?

Where will this project take place?

Why do you want to do this project? Why is it important to you, or your community?

How are you going to do it?

The “why,” says Cheryl Miki, MAC program consultant, can be the most difficult to answer – but also one of the most vital!

“One of the hardest questions an artist can ask themselves is: so what? Or, who cares?” says Cheryl. “If you can’t say why your project is important, it can be hard for the assessors to deem it important.”

Cathleen Enns agrees: “The ‘why’ is super important. When I do consultations with artists, I ask them to think about their art form, what’s happening in the world, why they’re interested in it, why others might be enriched by it… the assessors want to know about that.”

3. Be clear and concise

Try to communicate your ideas in simple terms that everyone can understand. Even if your project is very complicated or difficult to describe, break it down and help the assessors understand what you’d like to do.

In particular, avoid art speak:

“Art speak is the jargon that’s been developed for specific art forms that not everyone can understand,” says Cathleen.

4. Write in first person

Some artists hire grant writers to draft applications for them. Even if this is the case, it’s important for the grant to be written in first-person perspective from the applicant themselves.

❌ John Doe will write a screenplay.

✔️ I will write a screenplay.

Most applications are written in first-person, so applications that are written in third person can stand out and seem less authentic.

If you’re writing a grant application on behalf of an arts group or an organization, you can use the personal pronouns “we,” “us,” and “ourselves.”

5. Consider your audience

When MAC is assembling an assessment panel, we try to include a variety of artists, arts/cultural professionals, and Knowledge Keepers from different communities, artistic disciplines, and perspectives.

This means your application will be assessed by a well-rounded and diverse panel. However, this also means that not every assessor will be intimately familiar with your artistic process.

“Many of our grant panels are multi-disciplinary, which means the assessors have a variety of backgrounds,” says Tracey Longbottom. “Make sure than anyone can understand your application – from a Northern elder to an artist in a totally different discipline than you are.”

6. Look at the assessment questions

The assessment questions are a list of questions that the assessors answer to evaluate whether or not to fund an application. You can find them at the end of any grant’s program guidelines.

The most common assessment areas are:

• Feasibility : how possible it is to complete the project
• Impact : how the project will affect you or your community
• Artistic merit : the project’s artistic value

7. Get feedback

Once you’ve written your application, consider asking a friend or community member to look it over (preferably someone who has received a grant before). Make sure they can clearly understand what you’re proposing.

“Because they don’t have the same intense interest in the success of your application, someone else may be able to see the pitfalls of where you’re missing information,” says De Tomkins.

As well, you can always book a consultation with a MAC program consultant to look over your application and give you feedback before you submit it! Visit our Contact Us page for more information.

We hope this blog has given you some useful tips on writing a project description for your next MAC grant application!

Have an idea for a topic we should cover on our blog? Let us know by emailing [email protected] .

If you have any questions, contact the MAC Helpdesk .

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6 Steps to write a great art project´s statement

The project statement is, together with your portfolio , one of the most important tools to present and promote your art. As you can see on our website, project statements are always required to apply for competitions and residences , to inform curators, and for press releases. So it is good to have one ready to be sent out.

Your statement should describe and provide some insight into your project. The quality of the text will have a strong influence on the way your project will be perceived by the reader. This is why it is essential to take the time needed to make a good statement.

Of course describing your artistic practice in words can be a difficult task for an artist. Try to see it as a chance to clarify your ideas, and an opportunity to get new perspectives on your work. It is highly likely that your work will benefit from this experience. The first statement is always the most difficult one, afterwards you will only need to adapt it for the different purposes at hand and make updates.

Let´s see how to make a great statement in 6 steps:

As a first step, you will have to decide about how long your statement is going to be. The length always depends on the purpose of the statement. It can vary from say 100 words to one page. This will determine how many details you are going provide about your project.

If a guideline is not given to you by the art opportunity, the best length is about half a page. Remember that most of the readers are going to skim over the text and not read it entirely. So, it is very important that you keep your statement short, structured and straight to the point.

In a second step, take notes as you might do when you were explaining your work orally to a stranger. The explanation should be simple and honest.

Here are some basic questions which might be helpful to you:

• What does your project consist of?
• What are you trying to achieve through this project?
• How does it relate to your artistic practise?
• Did you already do a similar project?
• What materials is it made of?
• Why do you use these materials?
• Which ideas are you exploring through this project?
• Does your work relate to certain art theories or philosophies?
• Which artists or movements do influence your project?
• Do you expect a certain reaction from your audience?

Now that you have a lot of notes, try to extract the key elements and relate them to each other. This will build the core of your statement that you might want to improve by reviewing it several times.

Note that if you want to write a press release, you should also include personal information about your nationality, education, exhibitions, and the prizes you have won. This will inform the reader about the stage of your artistic career.

3. Structure

Structuring all this information will allow the reader to grasp the essentials quicker. As you want to positively influence the way readers perceive your work, make it easy for them to understand your statement. On this basis, you might want to structure your statement in three parts:

• An introduction which should announce what your project consist of;
• The main part where you give more details and elaborate the ideas behind your work;
• The final part which summarizes the key elements of your project in a few sentences.

Always write the statement in present tense and in the first person, this will make your text more personal and more alive, and thus much more interesting to the reader.

Furthermore, your statement should explain your ideas very clearly without being too complex or technical. To achieve this, stay consistent in your ideas, get rid of everything that is not necessary, and go straight to the point.

Avoid general statements which do not provide much information and convey your confidence by using a clear vocabulary. Don´t hide a possible uncertainty behind words that only scholars can understand. Likewise, be honest to yourself and your art and don´t try to write things that, in fact, are not in your work just because they sound good.

While writing, always remember that you want to invite people to get acquainted with your art practice and not exclude them.

5. Correction

Ask two people – for instance, one who knows your project and one who does not - for their opinion about your statement. Both of them should understand your thoughts and get interesting insights into your work out of it. Be open to criticism.

Make sure not to have any spelling and grammatical mistakes in your statement. For this you can use one of the many corrections programs on-line.

Finally, pay attention to the presentation of your project statement, a good-looking layout is much more appealing to the reader and will make her/him more receptive to the content.

Choose a layout and fonts which will not distract the reader from your statement. Rather than fancy fonts, select classic ones like Helvetica or Arial in a size between 11 and 12 points. Check some layout and typography rules on-line.

• Posted 05.09.2017

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How To Write An Artist Profile And Description

by Visual Artists Association | Artist Basics , Exhibitions

How you describe yourself and your artwork is a key part of creating loyal fans. This is your opportunity to present your story and showcase your originality.

To be truly unforgettable and grab the interest of your readers, simply follow these 12 steps for success.

•   Define your target audience, so you can have well-defined appropriate copy. If you look at successful artists in your niche, they clearly know their audience. Think about who you would like to visit your website and who you want to work with or buy your art.
•   Think like you are a reader, whether it is a seasoned collector or novice. Write copy that the average person who doesn’t have a background in art can relate to.
•   Avoid jargon and being overly technical, so you don’t alienate people.
•   Decide the hook. Make your ‘hero’ story clear and relatable. At some point you made the decision to devote your life to become an artist. How did you decide this was your calling?  What gave you the courage to pursue your passion? Readers and collectors’ will find your origin exciting.
•   Include your main motivation in describing individual pieces. What inspires when you create art? What is the meaning behind it? Where does it come from? What is the style and what techniques do you use?
•   Only include what is relevant.
•   Use short sentences. You then won’t lose people through disinterest.
•   When writing headlines and body copy, avoid using conditional words aka weasel words. For example, maybe, hopefully, wish, try, could or perhaps . Instead use command works such as will and can .
•   Use copy that people can connect to emotionally. Be congruent, inject your personality. Don’t be afraid to be candid or authentic.
• Test your copy. Ask a trusted non-art based friend to review. Proof-reading and copy editing is essential. Making small changes like altering a headline or font can make a big impact.
• Be consistent in the tone of your copy across all channels (your website, social media, SEO etc).
• Check, check and check again. As an artist you are constantly evolving, so you need to keep content and tone fresh. Review your main channels every 6 months.

Finally, remember you are original… there is only one you, so make sure your copy shines!

By Shirley-Ann O’Neill

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How To Write A Successful Art Proposal (Easy Tips For Artists)

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Tips For Writing An Art Exhibition Proposal For The First Time

As artists, we’re usually pretty confident with making something visual. In most cases, it’s the very process that drives our work. But there are a lot of other skills outside of our visual practice that creative individuals need in order to be successful, and writing an art proposal is one of them.

In general, writing will always be an important tool to possess when you’re within the creative industries; whether you’re drafting an artist statement , updating an artist CV or simply explaining your art to people . So, knowing how to write an art proposal comes under a long list of jobs that an artist will have to do, especially if they’re preparing for an exhibition of some sorts.

What is an art proposal?

An art proposal is a document that lays out an individual’s creative ideas for some kind of event, project or piece of work. It can come under various names such as a gallery proposal, exhibition proposal or project proposal. Usually, such proposals result in exhibitions, but they’re also used to fill artist residencies, grants and other art projects.

What matters here is your ability to clearly communicate your ideas, intentions and realisations through a written format. The text needs to persuade a reader through its excitement and potential, whilst also being realistic. Of course, images of your best and relevant work are needed too, but convincing your reader through your words will ultimately lead to a successful application or not.

You may find that the advice in this article is applicable to other types of proposals, and to an extent this is true. However, art proposals are very different from residence applications or grants. For example; artist grants require a more detailed explanation as the establishment you’re applying to needs to know that you are a worthy recipient and that the project will be mutually beneficial. For help with these types of proposals, The White Pube has a growing funding library resource of successful examples that anyone can view. We took a deep dive into the topic of funding applications over in our art club , with an informative art talk available to watch and replay.

How to write an art proposal for an exhibition?

Preparing to write an art proposal.

Hopefully you’ve started this whole process in good time with the deadline still being some weeks away. Preparation is key in this scenario, as jumping in with all of your spiralling ideas can throw you in different directions. 

Do your research

Starting early gives you time to do some critical research behind the gallery or institution you’re approaching. How can you explain why a gallery should work with you if you know nothing about them? 

Take a look at their previous exhibitions and artists they’ve worked with in the past to see if you can draw comparisons. The space you’re looking to exhibit in may be suited for one kind of practice more than another, so before wasting your time sending a proposal, artists should make sure their work fits the site that they’re looking into. By contextualising your proposal in relation to the gallery’s history and agenda, you’re showing that you’re invested in their collective vision as well as your own. It may even help to reach out to the artists that had previously worked with the institution.

Read the instructions carefully

This sounds obvious, but you can never read their instructions too many times. This is particularly important if the gallery or organisation has a dedicated application process that you need to fill in. Don’t ruin your chances by simply attaching a document in the wrong format or sending one too many images. Your art proposal may be great, but if you haven’t matched their requirements, your work will be disregarded. 

What to write in an art proposal?

It’s difficult to know how to write an art proposal straight off the bat, even with the knowledge you would have acquired through some prior research. If the application process doesn’t already outline direct questions or you’re just pitching a potential idea; start by asking yourself these basics so you don’t miss important things:

• What will I make / what have I made? Describe its visual properties, including scale and materials. Consider health and safety implications and how you would install. You could include an art title here if you have one.
• What are the influences behind the work? Include your most pertinent inspirations and what the art is trying to communicate.
• What does this work do for your practice at the moment in time? Why is it important to your career as an artist?
• How does this proposed idea benefit the gallery/project/organisation? How does it link to their vision?
• How does the work respond to the site that you wish to display it? Consider the surrounding community that will see the work.

By following these points, you should have already formed a solid base of text that covers everything that the reader could want to know. Now it is about perfecting this draft so that it reflects your practice in the best possible light.

What format should an art proposal be?

There’s no one size fits all when it comes to artist proposals, as they will all require individual and particular elements depending on what gallery or institution you’re applying to. Some will be multiple page documents with various attachments, whereas others will simply be a 1 page project proposal. It can be difficult to know what an exhibition proposal should look like, therefore it’s very important to read the specific requirements or ask if you’re unsure.

Some proposal formats are very structured, with the gallery already having an existing application form for you to fill in, similar to Dark Yellow Dot’s open call applications . These types of proposals prompt you to include certain things with their specific questions, so as it may feel easier to complete, be sure to answer the question directly and give the reader what they’ve asked for. Also look out for the character limits on these, as they’ll often indicate how many words you can use. Make sure you get all your main points explained clearly within the restrictions.

Other organisations may ask you to send proposals via email, in which case the format is down to you. These types of art proposals can range from heavily structured to more elusive written text, a bit like Phyllida Barlow’s exhibition proposal example for the Tate . It’s up to the artist to decide how to write an art proposal, but here are some main tips for keeping it in line with the industry standard. 

Start by introducing yourself in an artist bio or artist statement.

This doesn’t mean you need to include your life story; just a bit about where you’re currently practising in and where.

Make sure the first few sentences of the proposal part are strong, summarising your ideas in a captivating way.

You want the reader to have a clear, initial sense of what your work is about and create enough excitement around your art that they continue reading.

Use simple language, writing clearly and concisely.

Try to avoid throwing in art jargon and over-complicated terms to impress the reader. The most important thing is that they understand what you’re trying to convey.

When addressing the actual exhibition plans, be specific.

It doesn’t help to be vague as the gallery needs to know whether your plans are viable for their space. Talk about the individual works you will show in detail, with a brief overlook on how this relates to your practice as a whole. It may be useful to consider the practical installation process here.

With images, it is always best to go with quality over quantity.

Using high quality photos shows you’re a professional artist that takes their practice seriously. If you’re not regarding your own work highly, then you can’t expect someone else to. Remember to use accessible file formats, especially if there are specific ones indicated in the requirements, like JPG, PNG and more.

To go with the images, you will usually require an image list too.

These can be relatively simple with a clear annotation describing what is in the photo. Make sure each label matches with the right photo through numbering them. See below for an example.

[Artist’s name]

[Birth year]

[ Title of the artwork ], [Year created]

[Medium used to create]

[Optional brief description, sometimes including the place in which it’s being shown]

– The art exhibition proposal should look smart, professional and clean. Avoid making it stylized and fancy (unless you’re asked to) otherwise you’ll end up distracting the reader from the important content. Leave the visual elements to your high quality photos and ensure the text is readable. Where the formatting isn’t indicated, it’s best to opt with a text size of 11 or 12 in the New Times Roman font style and a line spacing of 1.5.

– Don’t forget to include your contact details and links to your artist website , portfolios or social media accounts that show more of your creativity and talent.

Are you struggling to turn your art proposals into successful applications? Try putting some of these tips into practice and see if it makes a difference!

Keep all your copies of art proposals in neatly organised folders

By tracking your applications; you’ll be able to identify which areas you need to improve and build a collection of varying proposals which will help you write similar new ones when needed.

Don’t be afraid to ask the gallery or organisation some questions

If it’s a fairly large establishment, they may not take direct queries regarding individual proposals and instead offer general advice; but it doesn’t hurt to try. It’s also beneficial for them to make sure the proposals they receive are in line with their requirements, limiting the amount of time they’ll waste on rejected ones. 

Start the proposal process early.

It’s simply not as easy as sitting down one evening and writing. An art proposal takes a fair amount of preparation as we’ve discussed above. Consider the time it will take to organise high quality photos of your work, to research the gallery, to allow for their replies to your questions and for you to formulate your ideas.

Galleries receive hundreds of proposals even when they don’t advertise their open calls, so don’t expect an immediate response. Use your time to apply to other opportunities whilst you wait. After all, the more proposals you send off, the more likely you are to be successful.

Ask for feedback.

If you’re lucky, the gallery or institution may be able to send you some constructive feedback on why your proposal was rejected. Make note of what they say on another document or simply re-do the original to use as a template for future applications. This is the perfect way to improve your art proposals off the back of an unsuccessful attempt.

The whole process of writing an art proposal can be demanding, and with a few rejected applications it can be easy to give up. However, that moment when you get it right and see your vision come to life makes all the hard work worth it. So, our best advice is to keep at it and believe in your art because sooner or later, someone else will too.

HOW HAVE YOU HAD SUCCESS WITH WRITING ART PROPOSALS? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.

Don’t forget you can always share your art with us! Become the next Artist of The Month or tag us on Instagram @darkyellowdot.

Thank you for reading and if you found this article useful, share it around, that makes us happy. To receive updates and more posts like this just join our mailing list, everyone is welcome.

NEED MORE ADVICE?

Articles to help:.

12 Tips On Preparing For An Art Exhibition For The First Time

How To Write An Artist CV When You Don’t Have Much Experience

How To Write An Artist Statement That People Will Want To Read

SITES TO HELP:

F unding Library I The White Pube  

Artist Proposal | Tate

COURSES TO HELP:

The Art Of The Proposal: How To Create Web Proposals That Win Projects

Write Your Artist Statement In 3 Simple Steps

Write Winning Proposals For Freelance Jobs: The Ultimate Guide

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How to write exhibition, artwork & object descriptions

There’s an art to writing compelling exhibition and artwork descriptions. Read on to find out tried and true tips for successfully introducing your exhibition, artworks and objects to your visitors.

Writing Your Exhibition Description

Writing artwork or object descriptions.

The Exhibition Description acts like the entry text panel in a bricks and mortar exhibition space. It is the first piece of text visitors will see and read before they enter your exhibition and it should explain the themes, ideas, concepts and inspiration behind your exhibition.

We have compiled some pointers to help you write a compelling description and successfully introduce your exhibition to your visitors, so keep reading!

1. Include the ‘Big Idea’

The ‘big idea’ of your exhibition answers the question “What is this exhibition about?”. When writing your exhibition description it is important to make sure you include the Big Idea so your audience can understand and make sense of the themes and ideas you are presenting to them through your artwork.

It is also good practice for exhibition description writing to start with the specific and then move to the general, start with the present and work to the past.

This is the opposite to how we normally write as we like to paint the overall picture (no pun intended) before we get to the nitty gritty details. But if you introduce what you are trying to do now first, you can take your audience on a journey as you explain why you are doing this and how it fits into the big picture.

2. Don’t Repeat Your Bio

It is easy to think you have to talk about yourself and the artists being exhibited in the Description. However, this is not going to get the ‘big idea’ across to your audience and they will have to keep reading to the end before they think  “Oh, this is what I’m about to see”.

Instead, on The Exhibit, the Exhibition Entry page has several prominent links to the Exhibitor profiles of the artists, curators, galleries or cultural institutions involved in the exhibition. And on each individual artwork page inside the exhibition, visitors can also read the artist’s bio information (please note this feature isn’t available for Collections Pro users). So there’s no need to feel as though you have to repeat information about yourself in the description as this information is all easily accessible to your visitors elsewhere throughout your exhibition.

3. Avoid “Artspeak”

The art world has a tendency to use lots of jargon and w*nky concepts which are particular to the discipline of art. However, not all these words and ideas will be understood by your visitors and you don’t want to write your description just for visitors who are art professionals or who have done a degree in fine art. If you make your visitors feel stupid, because they don’t grasp the language you are using or the points you are trying to make, they will disengage from your exhibition.

4. Don’t dumb it down too much

But to continue on from the point above, you don’t want to do the opposite either. You don’t want to make your exhibition writing seem like it is for dummies, by over simplifying your language and avoiding central concepts and ideas. Instead write in a direct and friendly way and as though you are talking directly to your audience in person.

5. Keep the structure short and simple

Lastly, if you keep in mind that your Exhibition Description is the same as the entry text panel in a bricks and mortar exhibition space, this will help you keep your description short and concise. You are not writing a long winded essay but instead a description introducing your exhibition concept and rationale. You want to give readers just enough information so they feel engaged and confident to click through into your exhibition and excited to start viewing the artworks.

It is also good practice to keep your overall structure clear and easy to read. This means using shorter sentences and avoiding any dense descriptions. You want to make it seem like you are talking directly to your visitors through your description.

Artwork or Object Descriptions are the blurbs which accompany each of the artworks or objects in your exhibition. They are just like the wall labels which are pinned next to each artwork or object in an offline exhibition. On The Exhibit, Artwork or Object Descriptions are automatically accompanied by the artwork’s title, manufacture date, medium, and size, as well as the artist’s name and a link to their biography. (Note: the artist’s biography information and link doesn’t appear on individual artwork/object pages for Collections Pro users)

Artwork or Object Descriptions are not required in your exhibition for each artwork/object, but when you take the time to add them, they do boost your online exhibition and give your visitors more information.

The more information you can provide, the more engaged your visitors will be with your exhibition, this is because they will grasp what you are trying to achieve and what emotions you are trying to illicit through the art and objects.

To really engage your visitors through your Artwork or Object Description copy, here are some of our tried and true tips:  

1. Don’t make descriptions chronological

You have to remember that even the most diligent visitors aren’t stopping on every artwork/object and reading every description. So, we recommend making each artwork/object description stand alone and able to be read independently of any others, because as soon as visitors read a description that assumes they’ve read a previous one, they end up confused and frustrated.

2. Make it Beneficial

Visitors to your exhibition are looking to find something out when they read your descriptions. If you provide something beneficial to them, an insight into the artist’s creative practice, what the artwork imagery means, or the historical significance or story of the object, you will hook them in. And once they’re hooked, they’ll delve deeper into your exhibition, read more of the other descriptions, look closer at your images and maybe even buy a piece if you have ‘for sale’ works in your exhibition.

3. Tie in the Big Idea

The Big Idea which you introduce in your Exhibition Description can’t just appear just once in the introduction—it has to be a thread that weaves its way through the whole exhibition. This links all the artworks together and creates an overall sense of purpose. Visitors will also be able to follow and make sense of your visual narrative from the first artwork/object to the last artwork or object in your exhibition if you do this.

4. Be concise

Some of the points we have mentioned in our Exhibition Description writing tips above, also apply to your Artwork or Object Description copy. Your Artwork or Object Descriptions also need to avoid any jargon and artspeak, avoid talking down to your audience, and be structured in a simple and readable way.

With Artwork or Object Descriptions, shorter is definitely better, so make sure you get straight to any points you are making. If you’re referencing a historical period, art movement or artist, maybe add a short sentence explaining what or who this is. That way your visitors with art or historical knowledge are reminded and those new to your exhibitions are able to learn something which helps them understand your artwork and objects.

Hopefully you find these tips helpful? If you have further questions about exhibiting on The Exhibit, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] .

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8 Steps to Writing a GREAT Art Proposal! (Complete Guide)

Being a successful artist isn’t just about creating great art. When you sign up for an art career, you must be ready to be both a creative artist and a skillful writer. Almost all artists write documentation, proposals, and in some cases, grant requests to further their art careers.

An art proposal is arguably the most important of all these writings that you may have to make as an artist.

You may be required to write an art proposal to feature your work in art shows or exhibitions or to receive a grant to support your artistic goals. Here, what matters isn’t the quality of your art but your ability to write a captivating business proposal that will persuade your reader to include your work or offer you grant funding .

Since you’re already an excellent artist, in this article, I’ll focus on the eight steps to writing an excellent art proposal that is sure to supercharge your art career.

Table of Contents

1. Gather Some Background Information About the Event/Reader

(This article may contain affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you make a purchase)

It may sound counterintuitive, but the first step to writing an excellent art proposal isn’t putting your pen to paper or thinking about what to write. It’s actually researching your reader or readers, who they are, and what they’re looking for.

You should start by going through the guidelines for the grant or exhibition for which you’re writing the proposal . This step will give you a huge insight into the kinds of art the curators need for the show, or are looking to fund, enabling you to tailor your proposal to meet their requirements.

To amplify your chances of receiving a successful reply from your proposal, you can check if there were past iterations of the event or grant. If so, you may be able to contact some of the past successful artists for advice in writing your art proposal.

You should also read all the official documentation and guidelines released by those in charge of the event to learn how you should write the proposal. The depth of your research doesn’t matter much if you don’t know the guidelines for writing the proposal itself.

Once you’ve gathered as much information as necessary, you can proceed to the next steps of writing your art proposal.

2. Plan Effectively and Start Early on Your Art Proposal

Starting the proposal way before the deadline doesn’t only give you time to plan and come up with creative project ideas, it also gives you time to spot and correct your mistakes early before it’s too late.

There are more steps to writing a “great” proposal than you think, and you can’t perfectly estimate the amount of time each step of the proposal will take . Completing the proposal with weeks to spare is better than completing it one minute late.

You’ll need some time to come up with the idea for the proposal, take photographs, write a rough draft, self-edit it to produce the final piece, and hire an editor if needed. After all these steps, you may have to format it to meet the readers’ requirements before your proposal is complete.

While none of the steps above are easy, doing them with a lot of time to spare will eliminate those minor mistakes that show up as a result of working under pressure.

3. Gather The Perfect Images For Your Art Proposal

When writing an art proposal, you’ll be required to include images 100% of the time. The pictures you include in your proposal will represent your artwork to the reader of your submission, so they have to be the very best you can produce.

The best way to reproduce your images is to probably not do it yourself. Using your smartphone to take pictures of your artwork to include in an art proposal is the worst idea, and you shouldn’t even think about doing that.

Your smartphone camera is designed to take casual pictures of people and things, not professional high-quality images of artwork and paintings. You can always hire a professional photographer to reproduce your artwork in a quality that’s usable for an art proposal .

Also, it’s important to note that not all photographers are capable of taking the professional quality images that you should include in your proposal. Before paying a photographer to take pictures of your artwork, ask them for samples of their previous work and decide if they’re good enough to go in your art proposal.

If you can’t afford or find a qualified professional photographer, you can take pictures of your artwork yourself. However, you should avoid using your smartphone camera, no matter how good the photos may look on the screen.

You can always rent a standard mirrorless or DSLR camera with appropriate lighting to reproduce accurate images of your art pieces that will compel the reader to consider your proposal.

If you can invest in a DSLR and the time required to learn the basics of art photography, you can even make some extra income by helping other artists create digital images of their artwork.

4. Write The First Draft of Your Art Proposal

After conducting your research and getting your images ready, you can start working on the actual proposal. Of course, you should always start by writing a draft, which is just an early version of the proposal where you don’t care a lot about mistakes.

In the proposal draft, you should write out the introduction, which typically includes details about you and what kind of art you create. Your introduction is an essential part of your proposal, as most people that read a proposal won’t even make it past the introduction if it’s not compelling .

If your introduction can’t convince the reader to see what you’ve got in store throughout the rest of the essay, there’s no reason why you should be considered for the grant or exhibition. Your introduction should also introduce how the grant or show will be important for your career and how you are a worthy addition or recipient.

The body of your artist proposal will depend on the end goal. For example, if you’re writing to get a grant from an organization, your proposal should reflect that, and if you’re trying to get your work into an exhibition, your submission should show why they would want to consider your art.

Generally, writing a grant proposal for your project is usually more tasking than writing one to get your artwork into a show. When applying for a grant, you must show in the project description that the project will be impossible without the assistance of the grant, and you must also show that the grant will be beneficial to the company (or funding agency) in the long run .

At this stage, your primary focus should be getting the words on paper, not making it perfect. Your first draft is still far from the final copy you’ll submit, and therefore, there’s room for mistakes.

Check out 7 Steps to Better Writing at Amazon if you’d like to improve your writing skills.

5. Improve Your Writing Skills

If you aren’t very strong in writing essays and proposals, you can learn to become somewhat better if you start early enough. However, you don’t have to be the best writer in the world to write a winning art proposal; remember, you’re more of an artist than a writer.

However, you still need some good writing skills to encourage the reader to read through your proposal. For example, suppose you make so many grammatical errors that your text is borderline unreadable. In that case, the chances are high that the reader will abandon your proposal before making it all the way through.

Your grammatical skill isn’t the only factor at play when it comes to writing a proposal. You must also learn to persuade with your writing. Persuasive writing is an art itself, and it’s learnable if you’re willing to put in the required time.

I’ve found that the best way to tackle any grammatical errors and make my text as clean and easy to read as possible is to use the Grammarly browser extension. It’s way more than just a spell checker. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help me write my sentences in a way that’s more enjoyable to read.

If you’re not used to writing essays and proposals, taking your time and using a program like Grammarly will go a long way in ensuring that you can write well enough to become one of the successful candidates for the grant or exhibition.

The Artists Guide to Grant Writing (Amazon)

6. Hire an Editor to Edit Your Art Proposal

An excellent way to bypass your lack of expertise in writing is by hiring someone who is experienced in improving writing from inexperienced writers. Just like you hired a photographer to take professional photos of your artwork, hiring an editor can play a crucial role in ensuring that your proposal is of professional quality.

There are freelance writers willing to write your proposal from scratch, but it’s recommended to write it yourself. You should only use an editor to check and correct grammar, formatting, composition, tone, and style issues.

When hiring an editor for your art proposal, you should go after a developmental editor . A developmental editor is one willing to hold your hand and lead you through the entire process, answering all the questions you may have about proposal writing.

However, it’s important to note that a developmental editor will cost you more than an editor that just proofreads your write-up to make recommendations and corrections.

To get the most from your investment, it’s best to read what previous clients have to say about the editor you’re hiring. For instance, you don’t want to pay an excessive amount for an editor that will simply run your work through a spell checker.

7. Format the Art Proposal

After writing your art proposal and having your editor work on it, it’s time to format it into the final copy that you’ll submit. This is the easiest step in the whole process of writing a proposal, but it’s also easy to mess it up.

First, you’ll have to set the right typeface, font size, and color. The sheer number of font options available in Microsoft Word will tempt you to use something fancy like Comic Sans MS or Monotype Corsiva.

However, using these kinds of fonts is an indication that you didn’t take the proposal seriously, and, likely, your proposal won’t even be read.

Sometimes, the organization or group behind the grant or exhibition will require a specific typeface and font size. In these cases, you should always stick with the requirements .

However, if there are no specific requirements, you should choose Times New Roman font with a 12-point font size. Also, the line spacing should be set to 1.5, as this produces the most readable and professional documents.

Finally, if the guidelines require inserting the images of your art into the document, you should find strategic positions to insert them. Otherwise, you can send the images as separate attachments in the email.

8. Submit Your Art Proposal and Wait For a Response

If you followed all of the above guidelines properly, you should have your art proposal ready days before the deadline. Submitting early is a good sign that you value the grant or exhibition, but you shouldn’t rush to submit with errors in the proposal when you have days to spare.

You can also follow up if you think it matters to ensure that your correspondence has been received and is being reviewed by one of the relevant decision-makers.

For many artists, this can be the most difficult part of the proposal writing process . It can take weeks or even months sometimes before you hear back about a successful proposal. So be patient, but also don’t waste this time by just hanging around waiting to hear back.

I’d encourage you to continue writing proposals for other exhibitions and grants. Having many lines in the water will increase your chances of getting a positive response to one or more of your artistic proposals.

Final Thoughts

Writing art proposals is a necessary task that you’ll want to learn to perfect to succeed as an artist. So don’t be intimidated by the process, and know that every time you write a proposal, you’re going to get better at it.

Before long, you’ll have a series of winning proposal templates ready to go for every type of art proposal so that you won’t have to start from scratch every time .

More From Artistry Found

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References:

• Artist’s Statement – Wikipedia

Bryan is an artist living in Las Vegas, Nevada who loves travel, ebiking, and putting ketchup on his tacos (Who does that?!). More about Bryan here.

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How to write a creative brief for an artist.

What is a creative brief.

How to write a creative brief? Well first you must know what a creative brief is! A creative brief for an artist is a document or communication that outlines the objectives and expectations for a creative project. It is a clear way for the customer and the artist to understand one another. Whilst a freelance artist brief doesn’t have to be a formal document, it is important to give answers or information relevant to the project to the artist. By providing a clear and comprehensive communication, the artist is able to create an artwork that fulfills the customers requirements. A brief also reduces risk of the final product not being accurate.

Why do you need a brief?

A creative brief helps establish clarity and direction, giving the artist a clear and concise description of the project’s goals and requirements. Having a detailed brief will prevent miscommunication and down the line prevent repeating, fixing or changing large components of the project.

On a larger team, a freelance artist creative brief keeps all members aligned and focused on the end goal. It makes collaboration simpler and can provide meaning to the design and purpose behind certain choices.

How to prepare a creative brief for your artist:

When considered how to write a creative brief we encourage customers and clients to take time to put together a detailed design brief for artists. The more information, the better, even if you entrust your artist to take creative liberties. When starting communication with an artist or artists, consider the following:

• Budget and timeframe

When do you need this project completed? Is your artist available now or in 3 months? What is your budget and is it flexible or set in stone?

• Size, category and material preference

Are you after a mural , a canvas , an illustration ? What materials are you interested in your artist using? Do they use those materials? Are you open to something different? How big is the space/wall (is there a maximum size of canvas or a minimum amount of the wall that needs to be covered)?

• Reference images

We strongly encourage including reference images in your artist creative brief. Whether it’s other artwork similar to your concept or for aesthetic purposes an image tells all. You can source reference images from Pinterest or Google.

Alternatively, use images directly from your chosen artist’s profile. Show them what you like about their style and what elements you’d like to include in your design.

• Site visits for workshops and murals

If you’re commissioning an artist for a mural or a workshop you’ll potentially have to work site visits into your budget. Some questions to consider when writing your brief include: Where is the wall or venue located? Is there paid parking? Will you organise scissor lifts, materials or permits if they are needed? 

For murals specifically, the customer should consider if the painting location is difficult to reach or uncomfortable to paint on (down alleyways, on ceilings or high up)? If the mural is located indoors, can the artist use spray paint? Will furniture need to be moved, covered or protected? Do you need insurance coverage from Book An Artist ? 

Learn more about commissioning artwork and how to write a creative brief through Book An Artist via our blog: How to commission art!

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Artist and Project Statements

You should be clear about why you are making the work and what you are trying to share with its viewers through that effort. Even the most abstract or most personal work, works best when it connects the viewer in some way to your impulses and inspirations. Serendipity and discovery has a place in art, but without some clarity of intention, you are leaving your project’s success to chance.

— Jason Houston, Documentary Photographer and Photo Editor

The term “artist statement” is often used to refer to a general statement about the type of work an artist makes and also to a description of a particular project. In photography, where artists create different bodies of work with distinctive narratives, each project needs its own statement.

 Artist Statement

Typically a photographer will have a general artist statement that summarizes the way the work is made, the major themes that tie the different bodies of work together, and the way that photographer looks at the world. The general artist statement can be combined with a short bio on an artist’s website to create a few paragraphs that give a high-level overview about the photographer and his or her work.

Below are two examples of artist statements incorporated into the photographer bio. They are short and effective. They give the reader a sense of an overall concept or focus area for the photographer. 

Heather Evans Smith is an award-winning fine art and conceptual portrait photographer based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Her work captures both the everyday and the whimsical, telling stories of women and struggle, reality and the surreal.

Tatiana Wills is intrigued by the essential spirit of the creative vanguard. Her portraits celebrate the excellence, dedication, and integrity of those who make, do, and inspire. Tatiana has won honors from Communication Arts, PDN, and the International Photography Awards. Her work has been seen on the pages of Time, GQ, HiFructose, and IdN and on the silver screen in Banksy’s street art film, Exit Through the Gift Shop. Her book Heroes & Villains was released in 2011, marking the result of a six-year collaborative project with co-photographer Roman Cho. Tatiana currently lives in Portland and Los Angeles.

Project Statement

The project statement (which is often called an artist statement and for the rest of this article will be referred to as such) is a much more specific description of one body of work. A photographer should have a project statement for every body of work.

Photographers will most likely need several versions of their project statements. A short, concise statement is appropriate for an artist’s website and in most cases is also sufficient for submitting work to juried shows and competitions and for gallery exhibitions. A photographer may need a longer, more in-depth statement for academic uses, exhibition catalogs, museum exhibitions, or other printed or high profile uses. This guide offers advice and examples for how to write a succinct statement for your website and other general uses.

Yes, Artist Statements Are Important

The thought of writing an artist statement can sicken even the most accomplished photographer. We are visual artists after all. We express ourselves in images, not words.

There is often a lot of griping that occurs when the topic of artist statements comes up. Many people (mostly the artists tasked with creating the statements) feel the work should speak for itself, and that statements are unnecessary and meaningless. Although not every gallery and collector is concerned about a well-formed artist statement, there are a lot of benefits to having a concise, compelling description of your work.

Nearly as difficult as writing about your work is speaking about your work. The process of writing a statement allows an artist to get the swirl of elusive ideas and concepts that make sense in his or her own head out and organized in a concrete, meaningful way. We all know what we are trying to say with our images, but many of us have a very difficult time communicating those thoughts to others.

As discussed in the upcoming section on portfolio reviews, preparing your pitch is critical to presenting your work to a potential gallerist, curator, or collector. Writing your artist statement can both assist you with this and can act as your agent if you are unable to make a face-to-face connection with the person viewing your work.

Putting Words on Paper: Where to begin?

There are three critical questions an artist needs to ask and answer fully before the writing can begin. Get these hammered out, and you are well on your way. 

• What are you trying to say with your work?

Think about not just what you are photographing, but what you are trying to communicate to the viewer. What is the story you are telling?

• Why are you making this work?

How did you come to create this work? What inspired the project? Why did you feel you needed to photograph this particular topic in this particular way?

• Why should the viewer care?

Finding a topic that hasn’t been done before is not a compelling reason to create a photographic project. Why is what you are saying significant and valuable? How are you making me see something in a way I wouldn’t see it otherwise? How are you making me feel something unique or important? What are you making me think about that deserves attention? And above all, why is your voice the best one to transmit this information?

Think about these questions and start a stream of consciousness flow of writing. Or speak out loud and record your dialogue. Have a conversation with another person who is familiar with your work and whose opinion you value, and then use these questions as a springboard.

Once you have let flow, read or play back your musings and pull out themes that are strong and reoccurring. From there, begin to organize the themes and cull down the extraneous information. 

I’ve Got A Lot of Words – What Do I Include?

The purpose of the artist statement is to provide insight – a context and framework in which to understand your art. Tell the viewer about your concept and motivation for making the work. Draw people in and make them want to see your images. The statement is an introduction and supplement to the work, not a detailed description or a biography of your life with a camera.

Take a look at all you have written down and organize it in a way that makes sense and tells the most cohesive story. From there, cut out any pieces of information that seem unnecessary and that do not really talk about the work (the age you first picked up a camera, how you have always been drawn to color and light, where and when you got your MFA).

Key elements to avoid:

• Generalizations

Be specific when you write. Avoid sweeping generalizations and vague language. Say exactly what you mean. Analyze every single word and make sure you are not adding “fluff” in an attempt to sound deep, artsy, or smart. You should sound like yourself, just more polished and succinct.

Admittedly, there is a fine line between presenting your work confidently and sounding arrogant (see “Self-importance” below), but sounding like you believe in yourself and your work is essential.

Throwing in technical terms, art history or flowery language will only put the reader off and detract from your concept.

• Self-importance

Declaring your work to be exceptional or sure to change the way the world looks at art is unnecessary and off-putting. If it is brilliant, it will be obvious to the viewer.

You are writing about work that is being viewed in the present tense, and you should write about it that way, regardless of when it was made. Writing in the present tense is active and lends a feeling of relevance and vitality.

 I think of an artist statement or a project statement like a step-ladder that helps people get closer to your work. We imagine that we're such a visually literate culture, bombarded with images at every turn, but I'm not sure that's true. Maybe we've just learned to skim pictures easily, without necessarily engaging with them. Your image has to attract an audience by itself, it's true, but your statement can help viewers stay with the picture and enter its world. Some people will only take one step, some people will take two. That's where the action is. Why wouldn't you use any tool at your disposal to achieve that?

— Katherine Ware, Curator of Photography at New Mexico Museum of Art

  ***************

This article is an excerpt from  Crusade for Your Art: Best Practices for Fine Art Photographers , Crusade Press, copyright 2014 by Jennifer Schwartz, reproduced here with the permission of the publisher. This excellent book is available from Amazon,  here .

Expert Tips for Writing a Project Description With Free Templates

By Kate Eby | May 25, 2021

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A strong project description provides a roadmap for stakeholders and communicates the vision without getting bogged down in details. We’ve compiled expert tips and sample project descriptions to help you get started. 

In this article, you’ll find a project description outline , steps for writing a project description , expert tips , and examples of project descriptions by industry .

What Is a Project Description?

A project description is a high-level overview of why you’re doing a project. The document explains a project’s objectives and its essential qualities. Think of it as the elevator pitch that focuses on what and why without delving into how. 

You typically draft a project description early on, during the project initiation phase of the project management lifecycle.

The project manager often writes the project description. However, if you are working for an agency that seeks grant funding or writing a research proposal, you might need to learn how to write a project description in a project proposal.

The project description should include an overview of the following:

• Project goals and objectives
• Stakeholders and their roles
• Metrics for measuring success
• Estimated budget

The tricky part is figuring out what doesn’t belong in the project description. The description should focus on goals, objectives, and the overall approach, but you don’t need to include lists of tasks, an extensive background, or research analysis. In general, the project description is broad; you’ll include more detail in the project plan.

Project Management Guide

Your one-stop shop for everything project management

Ready to get more out of your project management efforts? Visit our comprehensive project management guide for tips, best practices, and free resources to manage your work more effectively.

View the guide

Project Description Outline

The parts of a project description will vary depending on the type of project. However, your project description should contain the following elements:

Parts of a Project Description Outline

• Project Title: Aim for a short, unambiguous, and memorable title. 
• Overview: This is a high-level summary (no more than one or two paragraphs).
• Project Justification: Explain the problem or opportunity and why the project is necessary.
• Objectives: Set specific and measurable project goals.
• Phases of Work: Break down the project into phases that describe the desired outcome for each.
• Metrics for Evaluating and Monitoring: Include the metrics you’ll use to evaluate the project’s success. 
• Timeline: Outline the timeline for each phase, including the basic tasks that you will accomplish, with start and end dates.
• Estimated Budget: Include the budget and projected costs.

How to Write a Project Description

Although writing a project description will vary somewhat depending on the type of project, the basic process is the same. The following 10 steps are key to writing a good project description.

• Summarize: Write a one- or two-paragraph explanation of what the project aims to accomplish. Avoid delving deep into background or past projects. A good project summary will not only serve as your elevator speech, but will also help you clarify larger issues with your plan.
• Define: Describe the problem or opportunity and how the project will address it.
• Specific: Answer who, what, when, where, and why.
• Measurable: Include metrics for defining success.
• Achievable: Set goals that are possible to accomplish with the available resources.
• Relevant: Goals should be aligned with your organization’s mission.
• Time-bound: Include intermediate and final deadlines for each goal.
• Explain: Briefly explain your methodology. Include any key technologies or project management techniques you’ll use and why they’re appropriate.
• Measure: Identify the project deliverables . How will you measure success and evaluate the project?
• Schedule: Include a general timeline, with project phases and milestones. Be sure to note any important deadlines.
• Budget: Include the total estimated cost of the project and how much you have budgeted. (Note that this shouldn’t be a line item budget.) Use a project budget template for a more detailed breakdown of budgeted and actual project expenses.
• Get feedback: Seek feedback from key stakeholders, customers, and anyone impacted by the project for feedback. Ask them to explain the project in their own words to get a sense of how clearly you’ve communicated the vision.
• Proofread: Have someone else proofread the project description. In addition to spelling and grammatical errors, ask them to look for missing details that are significant to the project.
• Revise: Update and revise the document as the project progresses. Treat the project description as a living document.

A 10-Step Checklist for Writing a Project Description

Now that you know how to write a project description, use this checklist to help you focus on the key details.

Types of Project Descriptions With Examples

In this section, you’ll find a variety of free, customizable project description templates. We’ve completed them with sample information so that you can get an idea of how to write a description that fits your needs. You can also download a free project documentation template to help you track its progress.

Architectural Project Description Template

Download Architectural Project Description Template

Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs

An architectural project description should start with a summary that explains the need for the project. Briefly identify the site, any key design features and aesthetic considerations, and a broad timeline. Keep it simple, and write for the general public. Here’s an example of an architectural project description summary for a downtown parking garage:

After you summarize the project, use the architectural project description template to create a customizable action plan. Include a breakdown of work by phases. Note any communications and approvals needed to ensure success.

Client Creative Project Brief Template

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Microsoft Excel | Smartsheet

Create a client creative project brief  to ensure a project strategy aligns with client goals. Creative briefs are frequently used for projects involving graphic design, videography, or marketing campaigns. Start by briefly describing the project, objectives, and deadlines. The following client creative project brief provides an overview of a holiday marketing campaign.

The format will vary based on the type of project. In the client creative project template example above, you’ll find a number of kickoff questions about the campaign’s target audience, key components, and messaging. If this template doesn’t meet your needs, check out other Smartsheet client creative briefs and marketing project plan templates .

Grant Project Description Template

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Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF  

When you’re applying for grant funding or planning a grant-funded project, it’s essential to identify the target population and how they’ll benefit from project activities. Focus on why the project is necessary, rather than on the needs of your organization. The following example describes a grant project for a program seeking funding to combat childhood hunger:

This grant project description template breaks down the description into separate sections for the problem to be addressed, goals and objectives, target population, project activities, and key staff. It provides additional space for background information, measurable outcomes, and a timeline and budget, and it includes separate columns for income sources and expenses.

Interior Design Project Description Template

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Microsoft Word | Google Docs

An interior design project description is similar to a client creative project brief. You’ll use the project overview to spell out a vision for the project that syncs with the client’s needs. The following interior design project description summarizes a residential kitchen remodel project.

Use the remainder of the interior design project description template to document the client’s likes and dislikes in greater detail. The template includes space to note the client’s preferences for general style, as well as colors, patterns, textiles, furnishings, and more. You’ll also find space to include measurements, a floor sketch, a project schedule, and a budget.

IT Project Description Template

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Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

An IT project description should start with a basic summary that condenses key background information and what the project entails. Keep it simple, and explain the project in lay terms. The following IT project description summary provides an overview of a plan to develop a mobile ordering app for a fast casual restaurant:

This IT project description template includes space for goals, assumptions, measurements of success, and risks. Additionally, the template includes space for a breakdown of the scope of work, including processes impacted by the project, milestones, costs, and resources.

Software Project Description Template

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Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

A software project description should start with an overview that explains the type of software that will be developed, the problem it will solve, and the benefits to users and the business. The overview shouldn’t focus on the technical aspects of the project, but instead on the final product and its benefits. This software project description example gives an overview of a point-of-sale (POS) system under development for a brewery.

Once you’ve completed the overview, use this software project description template to explain purposes and goals in greater detail. The template includes sections for obstacles, risk factors, hardware compatibility, and software employed. Other features include a detailed breakdown of the project’s timeline and cost structure.

For other project description templates, please refer to our Free Project Description Templates article .

PMP Project Description

If you’re a project manager seeking the Project Management Professional certification, you’ll need either 36 or 60 months of professional experience leading projects, depending on your education level. 

The Project Management Institute (PMI) requires you to submit each project as its own entry on the application and include the following:

• A one-sentence project objective.
• Your role in accomplishing project deliverables in each of the five phases of project management : initiating (IN), planning (PL), executing (EX), monitoring and controlling (MC), and closing (CL).
• A brief description of project outcome.

You can use this PMP application project description example for guidance:

• Objective: Redesign Company XYZ’s website to improve lead generation by 25 percent.
• Project Deliverables: I was the project manager for Company XYZ’s redesign. I drafted the project charter and recruited a team of four IT staffers to complete the project (IN). I created the work breakdown structure, timeline, and budget, and I met with stakeholders to assess project contingencies and risks (PL). I coordinated between departments, provided quality assurance, and managed the four-person team throughout the project (EX). I conducted risk audits and communicated results to stakeholders (MC). I obtained stakeholder feedback, archived project documents, and held multidepartment training once the redesign was completed (CL).
• Outcome: Company XYZ’s website redesign was completed $10,000 under budget and two weeks ahead of schedule. Lead generation increased by 30 percent within six months.

How to Write a Project Description in a CV or Resume

Writing a project description for successful past projects can give you an edge when you’re a job candidate or looking for new clients. When writing a project description for your CV, resume, or portfolio, clearly state the project objective, your role, and the outcome.

Continuing with the example above, here’s a project management project description sample to avoid in your resume because it’s vague. The second project description is a more effective example. It also highlights the most significant accomplishments and responsibilities first.

Project Description Before Example

IT Project Manager, Company XYZ Project: Website redesign

• Managed a highly successful redesign
• Provided leadership throughout the project
• Updated key stakeholders in a timely manner
• Coordinated communications and staff trainings
• Completed the project under budget and ahead of schedule, resulting in improved sales

Project Description After Example

IT Project Manager, Company XYZ Project: Website redesign with goal of increasing lead generation by 25%

• Managed website redesign that resulted in a 30% increase in lead generation
• Completed the project $10,000 under budget and two weeks ahead of schedule
• Recruited and managed a team of four IT staffers
• Created the work breakdown structure, timeline, and budget; assessed project contingencies and risks
• Communicated with key stakeholders throughout the project; trained staff across departments once the project was complete

Tips for Writing a Good Project Description

To write an effective project description, draft early in the process. Keep it high-level without going into too much detail or background. Use the description to generate interest among a broad audience. Keep it brief and free of jargon.

• Clear: Keep writing straight to the point and don’t include unnecessary jargon. 
• Concise: Focus on the project itself, rather than on background information.
• Complete: This can be a challenge when you’re also aiming for concision. Regardless, the description should include the key points your audience needs to understand the project. 
• Credible: Only cite authoritative sources and the most up-to-date information.
• Draft the Project Description Early in the Process: Gregory Carson, PMP, is a biomedical engineer, attorney, and patent agent with more than 20 years of project management experience and who owns Carson Patents . Carson suggests drafting the project description early, ideally as soon as the idea occurs to you or your team. The description will serve as the summary roadmap to refer back to throughout the project. “All of the other details have some direct relationship to the project description, so having the project description well drafted before you begin the execution planning can save you time and frustration, in particular as changes need to be included,” Carson says. At the end of the project, you’ll want to refer back to the document to show that the project fulfilled the goals and objectives.
• Make a Memorable First Impression: Alan Zucker, PMP, is a project manager with more than 25 years working with Fortune 100 companies and founder of the website Project Management Essentials . He says that a project description should motivate. The goal is for people to understand and support the project after reading the description. “When crafting your pitch, remember that most people will form their initial impressions about the project within the first 30 seconds. Lead with a strong statement and a powerful image of the project’s benefit,” Zucker says.
• Write for a Broad Audience: A common mistake when writing a project description is targeting too narrow of an audience. “There is usually no lack of attention on the stakeholders that are funding the project, and they are important audience members for the project description to focus on,” Carson says. “But particular attention focused on the stakeholders who will benefit from the project often leads to helpful insights for the project.” Getting feedback on the description from a broader audience is also helpful. Zucker suggests reviewing the description with key stakeholders, customers, and those impacted by the project. “After reading your description, see if they can restate it in their own words,” Zucker suggests. “Was the restatement what you intended? If not, then continue to revise the description based on the feedback.”
• Avoid Excessive Details, Especially Early On: Your project description should convey a vision, rather than provide a detailed implementation plan. Don’t worry too much about planning out details in the description phase —  Zucker suggests that you simply make sure there’s a clear understanding of the project’s goals and why you want to proceed. “The description will evolve as we learn more about the project,” Zucker says. “Don’t worry about committing too early. Part of that evolutionary process is sharing the description and getting feedback on it.” Keeping a high-level focus will help generate buy-in for the project. Carson says it’s key to describe the project so that others “can understand and appreciate your marvel.” “You don’t want to pontificate to the point where people stop reading or get confused about any of the goals and objectives,” he says.
• Ask Someone to Proofread Your Project Description: Proofreading and editing are essential when you finalize your project description. But if you wrote the description, recruit someone else to edit it. “Too often as we write, we ‘remember’ what we were writing about and can miss little details, even spelling and grammar, that can impact the meaning and importance of a project and its description,” Carson says. Don’t be surprised if you need to revise and rewrite a few times. It’s all part of the process of crafting your message.

How to Write a Brief Description of a Project

Focus on the project and the problem it addresses. Avoid delving into background info or referencing other projects. Emphasize the what and why without excessive detail about the tasks it requires. This can be your pitch to sell the project.

What Is a Project Description in a Project Proposal?

A project description in a project proposal is a brief summary of the goals, the objectives, and the need for the project. It shouldn’t be more than one or two paragraphs. The project proposal will provide more detailed information.

What Is a Project Description in a Thesis?

A project description in a thesis outlines the research you’re undertaking, typically as part of graduate studies. It includes your working title, your research goals, basic methodology, and why the research is needed.

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The Creative Project

6 Project Descriptions

Crafting Your Story

In this chapter, you learn how to…

• Develop a clear, concise, and compelling narrative that articulates your proposed project.
• Connect your work as an artist and any collaborators with your proposed project.
• Articulate your project in an authentic and cohesive statement that includes the what, why, who, and how.

Within every grant application, you will be asked to articulate your project in detail. Granting organizations may refer to this information in different ways. Here are a few examples you may encounter: project description, statement of grant purpose, executive summary, or project summary. Regardless of the nomenclature, your goal for this section of the proposal is the same. Your statement should meet the following criteria:

• Outline the overarching goal(s) of the project.
• Create a compelling argument as to why your idea is worthy of funding support.
• Describe the role(s) of any collaborators, if applicable.
• Connect you and your mission with the project.
• Provide an overview of proposed outcomes and impact of the project.

When done effectively, the project description clearly communicates your project to the reader and encourages further interest in you, your project, and what is possible. More importantly, with every step of this process, you want to consider how this project aligns with who you are as an artist, how it connects directly with where you are headed in your creative process, and how these points of intersection support the mission and vision of the grantor. Not only will this level of thought and creativity in your proposal engage the reader, it will also resonate with the funder.

Just as every project you develop is unique, so are the requirements of each grant. You need to understand what the specific requirements are for the application you are considering. While some grant applications measure by word or character count and others by page length, part of your job in any grant application is to understand those constraints and deliver prose that is engaging no matter the length.

As you develop your project description , keep these two questions in mind:

• If you can say it convincingly in 750 words, can you find a way to state it in 250 words?
• If you can outline your project in a sentence, where can you take the reader over the course of a page?

This is your challenge—to find a variety of methods that allow you to persuade the reader to be curious about your project and you.

Artists in Action

“I think the hardest part for me is still the fine detailed craftsmanship of the project description. I’m a person who always says too much. The hardest part for me is actually paring it down anytime there’s a character limit or a word limit or a page limit. I mean, there always is [a limit] because, you know, a panel doesn’t have time to read 10 pages of description for every proposal.”

– Adam Rosenblatt

Describing the Project: Four Essential Elements (What, Why, Who and How)

To begin to develop a project description, your approach should outline and connect four distinct elements for the reader:

This can be overwhelming. Common reactions include, but are not limited to the following:

• “Where do I even begin?”
• “How do I talk about this idea?”
• “I can totally see it in my head, but how do I put this into words?”

Fear not! In this section, we break down these four essential components to provide you with the fundamental building blocks of your project description. This approach will provide a framework that allows you, with a bit of creativity, to develop a compelling narrative that is clear, concise, and persuasive.

An important point about you, your ideas, and the reader: The only person that understands your project is you.

Never assume that “they’ll get it.” They won’t (Highstein, 1997). Your reader is reviewing your grant application alongside dozens of others. They are probably tired, distracted, overworked, and worst of all . . . hungry. They may not be artists or have expertise in your field.

Help the future you—be clear, be detailed, and make the text engaging.

So let’s get to work mining your brain for the details.

Start by getting organized with the information you know so far about your project. Don’t worry about writing eloquent paragraphs just yet. First, make an outline or list so you have all your key points in one place.

This is where you define, in prose, exactly what the project will be. The language you use to describe the project should make it possible for the reader to envision your idea. If you are struggling with where to begin, start by describing the process of implementing the proposed idea—take the reader behind the scenes. Trust that you know where you’re going, so you can tell us how you’ll get there.

What is the inspiration, idea, or storyline of the project? Think about your reader. Help them understand why you are motivated to realize this idea of yours.

• Why are you driven to take this on?
• Why is this project important or impactful for your community?
• Why is the project integral to your artistic mission?

Remember, this is an incredible opportunity to highlight how the project connects with you and your artistic mission. (Refer to Chapter 2: Your Artistry and Values [1]  if you’ve skipped ahead or need a refresher.)

List everyone who plays a significant role in the creation or implementation of the project: collaborators, choreographers, ensembles, soloists, directors, producers, audio engineers, videographers, set designers, etc.

• Who are those people and how are they contributing to the project?
• What makes their roles essential?
• Why are they the right people for this project?

You have captured what the project will be, why it needs to happen, and who is involved. The final element of this puzzle is how the audience will experience your work. It could be an installation, a video, a live performance, a film, a curated gallery show for one person—the possibilities are endless. No matter the mode or format of interaction for the audience, you need to clearly define the final goal or outcome of the project.

Once you have this core information recorded, you can start to connect your ideas. Be sure to account for any specific grant guidelines. Based on those guidelines, make an outline. This will make your writing process easier. An outline helps you visualize the structure and organization of your description and ensures you include the essentials required by the grantor. When you’re deciding how to organize your information, consider what basics the reader needs first to understand the nitty gritty details you might expand on later. Ultimately, the goal is to create a compelling and persuasive narrative in your own voice that both intrigues and informs readers.

“Almost every grant is asking the same question. So the more preparation you have in the beginning, the faster each grant goes. You just get better and better at it as it goes, as time goes on.”

– Alysia Lee

Connecting You to Your Project

With the foundational components of your project firmly in hand, it’s time to explore ways of connecting you directly to the project (Beeching, 2010). This can mean only one thing—it’s about to get personal.

The key to creating a compelling narrative is finding the link(s) or connection(s) between your personal mission, your work as an artist, and your project proposal. This will be different for everyone !

The more closely you can bring these elements together, the stronger your proposal becomes. Projects that align with the values of the artist create a sense of inevitability for the reader (Creative Capital, 2019). The proposal quickly moves from just another grant application to the next logical and necessary step in the artist’s development. Hopefully, this motivates the reader to move the application forward in the review process.

Now that the key to creating alignment is clear, you may have the following concerns:

• How do we apply it to our own writing?
• What are the points of intersection between our mission statement and the project description?
• How do we connect the dots for our audience?

You need to cross-reference our mission statement with our project description. There’s data in everything you have written.

To get started, review your notes and ask these questions:

• Can you identify common themes in the goals or potential outcomes of your mission statement and the what from your project description?
• Is the why of your project description reflected in the why of your mission statement?
• How do your collaborators and their values align with your mission statement?
• Do the skills needed to implement your project reflect your strengths and interests?

Personal Goals, Experiences, and Values

Take a moment to consider how your personal goals, experience, and values align with your project and its impact. When reviewing your mission statement and draft project description side by side, evaluate and consider these prompts:

• What are the patterns you observe?
• What are the differences?
• Is your artistic identity reflected appropriately (or at all) in how you are describing your project right now?

Here are some additional things to look for when comparing your mission statement and draft project description:

• Overlap/repetition . Do you use common evocative words or phrases in both texts?
• Distinctive passages . Can you find a connection between the larger themes of the texts?
• Past experience . Do they highlight artistic or other skills that prepare you well to execute your project?
• Personality . How does your personality come across in these texts?
• Tone . How does your project description align with how you speak to others about your work? How does it align with your branding?

It’s worth mentioning that you don’t need pages of examples connecting the texts. Choose one to three points to help “set the stage” for the reader. This might end up being only one or two sentences in one paragraph or even a few key phrases woven throughout your project description.

There is no right or wrong way to complete this kind of work. You choose the degree of context or personal connection with the project proposal that you share. As always, let your project, mission, and artistic background dictate the points of intersection between your personal values and your project. Stay aware of those intersections so you can draw connections where they are appropriate.

“The projects that are likely to be funded are the projects that you’re going to do anyway, that really, you’re not waiting for a paycheck. That’s not the thing that’s holding you back, because it’s connected to what you want to do. You have a passion for it. The idea is strong enough. You’ve got enough pieces in place, that it’s going to help, but you’re going to make it happen regardless of what you’re up against.”

– Brad Balliett

Building a Description—Examples in Practice

Keeping in mind the four essential elements of a project description, let’s look at an example. In this section we cover the following elements:

• Analyze a rough draft project description.
• Review comments and corrections on the draft.
• Read a revised project description.

This is a fictional grantee and project. To build this example, we used the guidelines for Peabody’s Launch Grant. [2] These selection criteria were modeled in part on the Greater Baltimore Culture Alliance’s 2017 Rubys (2017) award:

• Artistic merit and skill demonstrated in the work samples
• Feasibility of completing project based on how it will be shown publicly, the identification and alignment of programming with the target audience , project budget , and timeline
• A prerecorded video proposal pitch that addresses the project, the external partner(s), target audience , audience programming, how the grant will help facilitate the realization of this project, and how your project aligns with the values of this funding source
• Creativity of the project as an innovative new direction for the artist’s work or a significant deepening of the artist’s current artistic practice

Review the project description below for any issues with the content.

Original Project Description

Project: Canyon Chorus Project

Artist: Ben Cantantino

Canyon Chorus will be a program of 45 minutes, performed by choral ensemble in a location in the superstition wilderness outside of Phoenix, AZ. The area is visually stunning: smooth floors weathered by water, soaring walls rising far above. We’ll take advantage of the live, wild acoustic and the clear spring weather in Arizona. The program will feature a composition of mine created for the space as well as a commission from a local composer. We’ll fill out the remaining 25 minutes program with varied selections of repertoire chosen to suit the space.

As a choral conductor and composer, I am constantly attuned to the acoustics of spaces to create music. While much of my career has been centered on creating music in typical spaces, like churches and concert halls, I have started to build new opportunities with Acoustx, the 6-member vocal ensemble I lead, to perform in non-traditional spaces, such as warehouses, water tanks, and barns. While often acoustically motivated, these performances have created connections between repertoire, space, and community that have amplified our performances, creating experiences greater than the sum of their parts.

I’m equally devoted to the outdoors and a voracious hiker. The connection to the outdoors is so often lost in music. Over three years of hiking in the southwest, my ears have perked up by several spaces that would lend themselves to musical performance. Given that there are no instruments that would need to be hiked in, a vocal ensemble seems like an ideal way to integrate music into the wilderness.

Attendees will need to make the 3.5-mile hike to the canyon. Tentatively scheduled for March 23 & 24, 2024, we are likely to have excellent weather, with a low chance of precipitation and not overly hot. This will make the live performance itself an exclusive, galvanizing, experience, with music in contrast to the magical setting. Including a planned dress rehearsal to ensure that we are ready to capture good footage, and to allow multiple groups to experience this, without having a significant impact on the area. I’m also hopeful hikers out for the day may also join us by happenstance.

We will bring along someone to capture the performance, to use as material for establishing a similar series going forward. Using a multi camera setup will create high-quality captures of the performance. The video will allow us to advocate for future performances in different locations, perhaps with gear sponsorships for the future. For those unable to attend, the video will also allow many people to view the performance, get excited about the outdoors, and ideally, interest in the art of Indigenous communities of the local area.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt supported by art and the outdoors, but these things were rarely connected. These two elements of life feel so separated. Canyon Chorus aims to bring these together, while also being an exciting next step for myself and Acoustx in our exploration of the relation of space and sound. This also follows market trends—limited attendance events are a great way to create interest. Additionally, layered, multifaceted experiences are some of the best performing events in our industry.

Reviewing the Original Project Description

Build an argument.

The rhetorical structure of this proposal needs some improvement. The goal of your grant proposal is to make a persuasive argument. Break your proposal down to the main ideas, think about how those ideas build on each other to support the argument for your project, and then reorder your writing.

Be very cautious about using communities you don’t identify with as a reason for your project. Have some serious and introspective conversations with and guidance from community members so that you can ensure an appropriate design.

Follow the Grant Structure

This proposal lacks structure and comes across as a wall of text. This is more difficult for a reviewer to process. Sometimes grant guidelines will include prompts or topics you need to cover. Use those prompts and follow the structure for them if needed. Even if the grant doesn’t have explicit requirements, breaking up your description with section headers can help reviewers find what they need. Examples include:

• Introduce yourself first . The proposal launches straight into the project idea with no background.
• Include section headers . Help the reader categorize what they are reading. Section headers could include “About Us,” “Collaborators,” or “What’s Next.”

Be Specific

This draft could use more detail about who the collaborators are on the project, the reasoning behind choices you are making for the project, and how the project connects to your past work and experience. Areas that could benefit from additional detail include the following:

• Where will the concert be exactly? What restrictions will the location place on the project?
• Who is the local composer? Any other collaborations important to this project?
• What is your connection to the Superstition Wilderness? Why have you chosen it specifically for the project?

Polish the Prose

Once these broader content and structure concerns are addressed, this proposal needs additional revisions to grammar, punctuation, and phrasing to remove distractions and make the writing clearer and more concise. Aim for simple but correct and clear language to communicate your ideas. Examples include the following:

• Superstition Wilderness should be capitalized; multi-camera needs a hyphen; etc.
• Several sections are wordy and could be more concise, leaving room for relevant details (e.g., “Canyon Chorus aims to bring these together, while also being an exciting next step for myself and Acoustx in our exploration of the relation of space and sound.”)

Below is a revised project description with these revisions incorporated.

Revised Project Description

Project: Canyon Chorus—Lower La Barge Box Canyon: Project Description

As a choral conductor and composer, much of my career has been centered on creating music in typical performance spaces like churches and concert halls. However, I have started to build new opportunities with Acoustx, the 6-member vocal ensemble I lead, to perform in non-traditional spaces, such as warehouses, water tanks, and barns. While often acoustically motivated, these performances have created connections between repertoire, space, and community that have amplified our performances, creating experiences greater than the sum of their parts.

I’m also a voracious hiker. The connection to the outdoors is so often lost in music—we feel we need closed, controlled spaces to create and consume performances. Over three years of hiking in the southwest, my ears have made note of spaces that would lend themselves to musical performance. Given that there are no instruments that would need to be hiked in, a vocal ensemble seems like an ideal way to integrate music into the wilderness.

What I Propose

Canyon Chorus will be a choral program of 45 minutes, performed by Acoustx in La Barge Box Canyon in the Superstition Wilderness outside of Phoenix, Arizona. We’ll take advantage of the live acoustics of the canyon and the clear spring weather in Arizona. The program will feature a new 10-minute composition of mine, created for the space, a new 10-minute commission from a local composer, and a varied selection of other repertoire suited to the space to fill out the remaining 25 minutes.

For the commission, we plan to work with Native American Composer Apprentice Project , [3] an Arizona initiative that premieres works of Native students from communities in Arizona. We’ve started conversations about how we can further their mission, learn from the work they are doing, and provide a performance opportunity for the project.

How We’ll Share

Two public performances are tentatively scheduled for March 23 & 24, 2024. To comply with National Wilderness rules, attendance will be limited. We’re in early conversations with the park service about what exact requirements would apply, but we are hoping for about 25 audience members for each performance. This will make the live performance itself an exclusive experience, contrasting music and natural space.

We will also capture audio and video of both performances. This will create important promotional material for Acoustx, while also allowing a wider audience to experience a version of the performance and creating recordings for our composer collaborator. We plan to use this video as a pitch to future funders, including hiking equipment companies, who might be willing to partner on future performances. For those unable to attend, the video will also allow many people to view the performance, get excited about the outdoors, and engage with the artistic work of the Indigenous communities of their local area.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt supported by art and the outdoors. Canyon Chorus aims to bring these experiences together, while also being an exciting next step for myself and Acoustx in our exploration of the relation of space and sound. The projected number of audience members also follows market trends–limited attendance events are a great way to create interest. Additionally, layered, multifaceted experiences (such as the Candlelight Concerts [4] popular in many cities) are commercially some of the best performing events in our industry. Canyon Chorus will expand on these trends not just to create art, but to build connection to our natural surroundings and community.

Notice how the revised project description clearly addresses the what, why, who, and how questions, revealing the impact of the project. In a one-page proposal you will need to decide which details to include and which to leave out.

• Which details about the Canyon Chorus project feed your excitement?
• Where would you want more information?

Navigating the Process

All components of your project description need to tie together and align with the goals of the grant organization or funder. You are working to show you are well-qualified, competent, and organized in your project. Here are a few points to consider as you begin this process to keep you on track.

Do Your Research

Investigate the funding opportunity to make sure you and the grant organization are a good fit. Does your creative work and your artistic mission align with the values of the funder? It takes a lot of effort and time to develop a grant proposal. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements, your project aligns with the mission, and that your partners and collaborators are on board to be part of the process.

Use Clear Language

Take the reviewer on a step-by-step journey through the review criteria. Make it easy for the reviewer to navigate through every piece of your application. Use headings that match the grant criteria to guide the reader.

Follow Formatting Guidelines

Pay attention to the details regarding page limits and formatting (margins, fonts, and type size). Make sure you submit every requested piece of the grant application. The requests are actually requirements. An incomplete application will be eliminated and not considered—no matter how interesting the project may be.

Seek Feedback

Ask someone unfamiliar with your project to review your application. Consider sharing your proposal materials and review criteria with two to three colleagues. Feedback and dialogue are also often available from the funding organization, even before the grant is submitted. Reach out to the funder—building that relationship is an important step that is often overlooked. You can gather key information about the funder’s goals, and best of all, funders want to help you succeed!

Meet Deadlines

In grant applications, deadlines are critical. Funders typically will not offer flexibility on submission deadlines. In fact, that’s the first hurdle created to remove applicants. Late submissions are rarely accepted. Give yourself more time than you think you need to prepare your application and solicit feedback so that you can put your best quality work forward and submit on time.

Recycle and Resubmit

With a bit of revision, material created for one grant can be repurposed for future proposals, either to the same funder or a different opportunity. With most grants, there is an opportunity to get feedback from the reviewer, which can be incredibly helpful to improve your next submission. The more often funders see your work, the more likely it is that opportunities will come your way, either directly through the grant or through connections and relationships that grow out of the application and review process.

Dig Deeper Exercises

• Which examples resonate with you? Select three artists.
• How might you translate some of these ideas to your own work?

Key Takeaways

The project description requirements of every grant vary. What remains relevant is finding an approach that connects you to your project. Regardless of the word count or page limit, finding these points of alignment helps create a connection between you and the reader.

Remember, you may not win the first time you apply for a grant. Many seasoned grant writing artists find that it takes two to three tries before they are successful with a particular grant opportunity.

Like our work as artists, it takes practice. As you work on developing your narrative, remember the following:

• Identify the what, why, who, and how of the project.
• Be intentional in connecting you and your work to the project.
• Show the reader your project is the next logical step in your artistic evolution.
• Tell your story with your audience in mind.
• Find points of alignment with potential funders.
• Compile your materials in a cohesive way to present a unified narrative.

Artist Interviews

Below are excerpts from artist interviews conducted by Zane Forshee. Full artist bios and interviews are available in About the Artists . This section includes the following artists and topics:

Lara Pellegrinelli on Making a Compelling Case for a Story

Jessica satava on approaching artistic projects, how do you make a compelling case for a story.

ZF: I’m wondering if you could talk about what it is that you look for to make a compelling case for a story. I know a lot of times you’re putting a pitch together for that piece or that area that you want to develop.

LP: Sure, it can be a lot of things. I have, of course, my own personal interests. As a writer, I’ve focused on jazz and new music, I’ve focused on jazz vocals, I’ve focused on issues of jazz and gender, but also, I think narrative qualities in what projects are, are really helpful and when artists have compelling personal stories. When I’m thinking about narrative, I mean that. I’ll say, someone can make incredibly compelling music, beautiful music, profound music, I’m the type of writer who thinks “that’s great, hear the music.” I don’t know if I necessarily have to write about that. There are reviewers who’ll say, “Oh, well, I can capture that, I can put that down.” I don’t usually review. I mean, in the past I have reviewed, but it’s not something that I really do anymore or even really see myself doing into the future.

But when I hear that an artist, for example, I’m going to go back more than 10 years, Fred Hersch, the pianist, who was one of the first openly gay jazz musicians. He went into a coma and he made a project called Coma Dreams. That tells a story by itself and for me as a writer, that’s something that’s easy to latch on to and to want to help tell that story.

So, those are things that I would say that I look for in projects that I’m going to pitch and also people who are doing things that have just never been done before. We still haven’t had that much coverage in jazz or classical music about projects that relate to the environment or projects in jazz that are related to gender, that has been really slow to happen. It’s still such a male dominated area. So, things like that. When I feel like there are stories that have yet to be told and the kinds of art that people are making or who people are, bringing themselves into that work, I think it’s really important.

How do you help an artist unpack their story and make it clear?

ZF: Could we talk for a second about, and I bring this up because a lot of our students are creating projects that have a personal connection to them. When you are kind of helping that student or that artist unpack that story that they’re telling, what are the things you’re thinking about or what are the elements that you’re trying to distill it down to so that there’s a clear through line for the reader?

LP: I think everyone has to start by asking the big question, which is the ‘why.’ I feel like when I’m doing work, that’s always the question that I’m trying to answer. It is, why is this person, or these people if it’s a collective, why are these people making this music in this place and at this time?

If you can answer that question, then you have everything that you need. So, asking yourself the why and being very clear on the why, I think is the starting point. That’s that kernel, that kernel of belief and I’m stealing that question from Christopher Small (1927–2011) from his 1998 book, Musicking: The Meanings of Performing and Listening . That’s the central question in the book. For ethnomusicologists, that’s where I feel like my ethnomusicology training comes in is in asking that big why question within a cultural and temporal context.

If you can think through these prompts:

• Why am I doing this?
• What is the meaning?
• What is the cultural value?
• How is this in dialogue with what I see happening around me in the world at this moment?

That is super important. If you can articulate those things for yourself, then it should be possible to start articulating them for others. Then the rest is the craft of trying to put it on the page. Does that make sense?

ZF: That makes complete sense. So, understanding what’s driving you behind that project.

LP: Yeah, every single person is different and we may think, well this has been done before. We might not feel confident in the art that we’re making as something original or something new, but if it comes from you, if it really comes from who you are as a person, there is no one like you. I think automatically that becomes compelling. As highly trained artists, we might be dismissive and think, oh, that’s going to be too fluffy or too vague or too simple but a lot of what drives what we do is simple and that it’s joyful, or it’s love or it’s meant to connect in a certain way, it’s human.

We don’t need anything to be ultra-sophisticated when it’s coming from in here, that’s where it needs… I mean, it can be. I’ve seen lots of work that is also, we’ll say ultra-sophisticated and very thinky and we can do that, we can make that kind of stuff, too, but I don’t think we should be dismissive of things just because there’s something plain or very simple or genuine in the impulse that is starting them.

Every person I think expresses that in a different way and that’s kind of the beauty of it from where I sit is seeing all these different incarnations of what it is that people do. We’re still finding new things in Bach and Beethoven. It’s there, you just have to be strong enough and confident enough to just be willing to be vulnerable and put that out there.

How do you approach artistic projects and seeking funding?

ZF: How do you approach thinking about these artistic projects and going after that funding and galvanizing a team to go after something in a direction–like how do you do that?

• How do you approach that?
• Do you find one person you want to partner with?
• Do you find a team?
• Do you see it individually and then share it with everyone and try and get them on board?
• What has that process been like for you?

JS: Well, usually the ideas for collaborations always start with a conversation and are usually pretty organic, right? You’re sitting there having coffee with somebody that you want to get to know and collaborate with like just kind of generally. And then the ideas start to percolate for all of us.

What I found is that as important as collaboration is, and as much as everyone wants to do it, and as much as everybody wants to talk about it, there has to be one person who is willing to do the work of driving the collaboration, providing the structure and the framework and doing the hard work of coordinating all the voices. That’s the hardest work of collaboration.

Finding ways forward when agendas start to rear their heads, but it is so worth it. And the fact of the matter is, it is 100, well, I shouldn’t say 100%, that’s hyperbole, right? But I think that collaborations always have a better chance of getting funded than people who are just going out on their own.

Can you describe how you collaborate with others?

ZF: Can you talk about some of your experiences? I’m going to bet you’re that galvanizing force in your work.

• What does that look like for you sometimes?
• What does that feel like?
• How do you do it?

JS: It’s really fun and really uncomfortable all the same time, because it means that you have to give up control. Musicians like us, classical musicians, our whole world is wrapped up in the notes on the page and our ability to recreate them and not really stray very far away from what that looks like. A lot of us have that type A kind of personality where I want to show up and do my thing and I want to be responsible for myself and all those other people, like they just didn’t practice.

I’m sorry you didn’t practice, but here I am and I’m prepared, you know? That kind of thinking anyway, I hope I’m not overstepping here…. I know us, I know us very well and that thinking is not helpful when it comes to collaboration.

So, I guess what I found is that often things will just come to kind of like, they lose a little momentum, and somebody has to be the one to get on the phone and say, oh my gosh, I just had this great idea. I know how we’re going to get this moving again.

There can be conflict between the collaborators and it’s easy to feel resentment when you feel like these people don’t want this as much as you do, and they aren’t working as hard to see it through. That involves being willing to say, I set my own ego aside and I need to just stay focused on what the most important thing is here. That’s the goal of getting funding to solve a problem through this project. The community and the problems we’re solving, the ways that we’re serving them is the focus .

It’s just part of the process that crazy stuff is going to happen and you have to get the phone and sort through people’s problems and their egos and find ways forward across all of those obstacles. That’s why applying for grants as a collaborative effort is so valuable because we all learn so much about ourselves and either figure out that, okay, maybe that wasn’t really a natural collaboration and we’re not going to do that again next year, right? Or that this has been transformational for absolutely everybody involved and we’re so glad we did it and let’s keep it going and expand it.

Baker Artist Awards (2022). Baker artist awardees. https://bakerartist.org/awards/awardees

Beeching, A. M. (2010). Beyond talent. Oxford University Press.

Candlelight. (2022). Candlelight concerts. https://candlelightexperience.com/

Creative Capital. (2019, May 9). How to write a grant proposal with confidence: Translating your ideas on paper. https://creative-capital.org/2019/05/09/how-to-write-a-grant-proposal-with-confidence-translating-your-ideas-on-paper/

Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (2017). Rubys: Artist project grant 2017 grant guidelines . https://www.baltimoreculture.org/sites/default/files/RUBYS%20Grant%20Guidelines_2017_general.pdf

Highstein, E. (1997). Making music in looking glass land. Concert Artists Guild.

New Music USA. (2021). Native American composer apprentice project. https://newmusicusa.org/projects/native-american-composer-apprentice-project-nacap/

Peabody LAUNCHPad. (2022). Launch grant. https://peabody.jhu.edu/life-at-peabody/career-services/job-seeking/job-posting/launch-grant/

• https://pressbooks.pub/pathtofunding/artistry ↵
• https://peabody.jhu.edu/life-at-peabody/career-services/job-seeking/job-posting/launch-grant/ ↵
• https://newmusicusa.org/projects/native-american-composer-apprentice-project-nacap/ ↵
• https://candlelightexperience.com/ ↵
• https://bakerartist.org/awards/awardees ↵

a grant document which describes your project in detail, sharing what the project is, why it is important, who is involved, and how it will be accomplished; sometimes called a statement of grant purpose, executive summary, or project summary

the correlation between ideas, projects, artistic disciplines, or values offering the possibility of synergistic collaboration.

a group of people (attendees or users) you expect to take part in your project

an overview of all expenses and expected sources of income for a project

a grant proposal document showing a sequential map of important events, checkpoints, and goals during the grant period from planning to execution

a concise, compelling description of your project, typically delivered in situations where you are meeting new people, or requesting funding; most often in person, but can be in a video or other medium

The Path to Funding Copyright © 2022 by John Hopkins University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Eat, Sleep, Wander

12 Art Description Examples

Art descriptions are written text used to describe works of art, usually for an exhibit, gallery web page, or catalogue. An effective description should not only provide information about the work depicted, but also help readers engage with the artwork, throughout a combination of well-crafted language and descriptive elements. Check out these Art Description Examples to get an idea on how to write your own for future projects.

Art Description Examples

• One example of an art description is of Monet’s Water Lilies. In this painting, Monet captures the mirrored reflections of his garden through his distinctive brushstrokes and vibrant colors. Gentle strokes of emerald, azure, and amethyst caress the serene pond, creating a sense of tranquility. The sheer size of the canvas ensures the viewer can fully experience the beauty of the idyllic setting.
• Another example is of Alexander Calder’s abstract painting, Circles. This dynamic composition features geometric shapes composed of flowing angular lines and circular forms in a vivid spectrum of colors. The dizzying interplay between moving forms is the perfect representation of movement and flux, a hallmark theme of modern art.

Art descriptions provide an avenue for viewers to engage with works of art. By utilizing descriptive elements that evoke emotion, viewers will be able to more accurately experience the artwork as the artist intended it to be seen. While there are many specific artistic styles and artwork styles, the two art descriptions provided above offer a glimpse at some of the elements that should be included for a meaningful description.

More Art Description Examples

1. Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon features a jubilant composition of primitive figures in simplified and angular postures. The intense color palette creates a sense of energy and vivaciousness while the recognizable brushstrokes and unique figures show the profound impact of Picasso’s cubism.

2. Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night is one of the most famous artworks of all time. The wildly swirling stars and the reflective beauty of the night sky create an overwhelming feeling of power and awesomeness, quite possibly the most stunning night sky painting to ever be produced.

3. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s painting, The Calling of St. Matthew, takes you to a Renaissance-era church where St. Matthew is selected and appointed by Christ. His intense gaze creates a sense of foreboding as the figures in the painting kneel in awe.

4. Rembrandt van Rijn painted numerous self-portraits during his lifetime, and his most famous, Self Portrait in Slightly Open Vest, captivates the viewer with its sense of depth and humanity. The monochromatic color palette and the serious frowning face project a deep sense of loneliness.

5. Marc Chagall’s La Tour Eiffel captures the romantic ambiance of the famous landmark with bright primary colors and ethereal strokes of paint. The vibrancy of the painting captures the beauty of the monument and its surroundings.

6. Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks is a masterpiece of realism. The painting captures the inescapable feeling of urban loneliness with a panoramic view of a late-night diner and its mysterious occupants.

7. Jackson Pollock’s One: Number 31 is an example of abstract expressionism. The painting features an intricate composition of various lines, shapes, and colors, forming a complex representation of the artist’s creativity and emotions.

8. Frida Kahlo’s The Two Fridas paints a surreal image of the legendary artist in her iconic double self-portrait. The painting embodies her strength, resilience, and soul with its dreamy setting and vibrant colors.

9. Grant Wood’s American Gothic is a celebrated painting of a rural Iowa couple, surrounded by a rolling landscape of lush green fields. The painting’s unique mix of realism, detail and subtle expressions creates a timeless image that speaks to the American Dream.

10. Zanele Muholi’s Somnyama Ngonyama Self-Portraits explore the complex identity of LGBTQ+ individuals with its powerful representations of the lived experiences of Muholi and other members of the community. Every portrait depicted strikes an emotionally powerful chord, creating a powerful statement of resilience.

More Art Description Examples are coming soon…

lord-of-paper.net

• Project Paper Writing
• How To Write A Project Proposal For An Artist Residency

If you’re an artist who’s interested in applying for an artist residency, you’ll need to submit a project proposal . This document will outline the specific project you plan to work on during your residency, as well as how you plan to execute it.

Your proposal should be well-written and concise, and it should demonstrate that you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve during your residency. In addition, it’s important to make sure that your proposal is tailored to the specific residency you’re applying to.

So, what goes into a project proposal for an artist residency? Let’s take a look.

1. Introduce your project

Your proposal should start by introducing your project. This should include a brief description of the project, as well as a summary of your goals for it.

2. Outline your proposed timeline

Next, you’ll need to outline your proposed timeline for the project. This should include a detailed description of the steps you plan to take, as well as the estimated duration for each step.

3. Explain your artistic process

In addition, you’ll need to explain your artistic process. This should include a description of the techniques you plan to use, as well as your overall approach to the project.

4. Discuss your research and development process

Your proposal should also discuss your research and development process. This should include a description of the research you’ve done to date, as well as your plans for future research.

5. Address your budget

Finally, you’ll need to address your budget. This should include a breakdown of the costs associated with your project, as well as a justification for each expense.

How do you write an artist in residence proposal?

Most residencies are highly competitive, so it’s important that your proposal stands out from the rest. Your proposal should be well-written and tailored to the specific residency you are applying to. In general, your proposal should include the following:

1. An introduction that explains who you are and what you do

2. A statement of purpose that explains why you want to do a residency

3. A description of your work and your current body of work

4. A list of past residencies and exhibitions

5. A statement of financial need

6. A brief biography

The introduction should be brief and introduce you and your work. The statement of purpose should explain why you want to do a residency and what you hope to accomplish. The description of your work should be concise and explain your current body of work and your artistic goals. The list of past residencies and exhibitions should demonstrate your experience and highlight your most notable accomplishments. The statement of financial need should explain why you need a residency and how the residency will help you further your career. The bio should be brief and highlight your most notable accomplishments. The CV should be up to date and include your most recent exhibitions, residencies, and awards.

When writing your proposal, be sure to tailor it to the specific residency you are applying to. Read the guidelines for the residency and make sure your proposal meets all the requirements. Be sure to proofread your proposal and have someone else read it over for mistakes. Edit and revise as needed. The better your proposal is, the more likely you are to be accepted into a residency program.

How do you write a good art project proposal?

When it comes to proposing an art project , the most important thing is to be clear and concise. You need to make sure that the proposal is easy to understand and that it outlines all of the important details of the project.

One of the most important things to include in your proposal is a project summary. This should be a brief overview of the project, including the purpose and goals of the project. It’s also important to include a project outline, which will give a more detailed description of the project.

In addition to outlining the project, you should also include a project budget. This will give a breakdown of the costs associated with the project. It’s important to be as accurate as possible when estimating the costs, as it will help to ensure that the project can be completed within the proposed budget.

Finally, you should also include a project timeline. This will outline the expected timeline for the project. It’s important to be realistic when creating the timeline, as it will help to ensure that the project is completed on time.

By including all of this information in your proposal, you can ensure that it is as comprehensive as possible. This will help to ensure that your proposal is approved and that the project can be started as soon as possible.

How do you write an exhibition proposal example?

An exhibition proposal is a written proposal to organize an exhibition. The proposal should include a detailed summary of the exhibition, a rationale for why the exhibition should be organized, a list of prospective participants, and a budget.

The summary should provide a brief overview of the exhibition, including the title, the date it will take place, the location, and the participating artists. The rationale should explain why the exhibition is important and how it will benefit the community. The list of prospective participants should include the artists who will be exhibiting, as well as any other organizations or individuals who will be involved in the exhibition. The budget should outline the estimated costs of putting on the exhibition.

If the proposal is accepted, the organizer will be responsible for creating a detailed exhibition proposal, including a timeline, a description of the exhibition, and a list of participating artists.

What should an artist proposal include?

Artists proposals can vary in length and detail, but most proposals should at least include the following:

1. An introduction that explains who you are and what you plan to do.

2. A description of your project, including what it is, what it will involve, and why it is important.

3. The budget for your project, including what you need to complete it and how much it will cost.

4. The schedule for your project, including when it will start and finish.

5. A list of any collaborators you are working with on the project.

6. A biography of you and any collaborators.

7. Any supporting documents or images that you can provide.

You should be able to explain your project in a few paragraphs, and the more information you can provide the better. Make sure to answer any questions the reader may have, and be prepared to discuss your project in more detail if necessary.

Your proposal should also be well-organized and easy to read. Use headings and sub-headings to break up the text, and use simple, straightforward language.

If you are submitting your proposal to a funding organization or grant committee, be sure to follow their specific guidelines. Each organization may have different requirements, so make sure to read the instructions carefully.

An artist proposal can be a great way to get your project off the ground, but it is important to remember that it is not the only thing that will be considered. The committee or organization you are submitting to will also look at your resume, your track record, and your ability to complete the project. So make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have and be prepared to answer any questions about your proposal.

proposals can vary in lenght and detail, but most proposals should at least include the following:

1. an introduction that explains who you are and what you plan to do

2. a description of your project, including what it is, what it will involve, and why it is important

3. the budget for your project, including what you need to complete it and how much it will cost

4. the schedule for your project, including when it will start and finish

5. a list of any collaborators you are working with on the project

6. a biography of you and any collaborators

7. any supporting documents or images that you can provide

When putting together your proposal, it is important to be clear and concise. You should be able to explain your project in a few paragraphs, and the more information you can provide the better. Make sure to answer any questions the reader may have, and be prepared to discuss your project in more detail if necessary.

Art proposal format

The art proposal format is a document that is used to propose a new piece of art to an audience. This document can be used by artists to pitch their ideas to art galleries, art collectors, or anyone who may be interested in supporting the artist’s work. The art proposal format can be used to propose a new painting, sculpture, installation, or any other type of art.

The first section of the art proposal format is the introduction. In this section, the artist should describe the proposed artwork. They should provide a brief description of the work, along with its size, medium, and any other important details.

The second section of the art proposal format is the body of the proposal. In this section, the artist should explain the meaning and inspiration behind the proposed artwork. They should discuss why they created the work and what they hope to achieve with it. The artist should also provide a detailed description of the work, including its composition and any special features.

The final section of the art proposal format is the conclusion . In this section, the artist should summarize their proposal and state why they believe it is a worthwhile project. They should also thank the reader for their time and consideration.

I'm Lewis Day, a 36-year-old educational blogger and teacher. I started this blog to share my passion for education with the world, and to help other educators share their knowledge and experiences with others. I hope you enjoy reading my posts as much as I enjoy writing them!

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