How to Make an Artist Press Kit - Examples

An artist’s press kit is invaluable for the promotion of artwork, but is often overlooked. 

Press kits are also sometimes referred to as press package or media kit. The purpose of a press kit is for exposure and publicity. Artist media kits are meant to be mailed or handed to members of the media, art galleries, potential art buyers, promoters, art agents, art reps, etc. These people may receive may submissions from artists, and it is important that yours be original and stand out.

The press kit contains information about the artist, the artist statement, resume, awards, exhibitions, artwork samples, etc.

Most artists already have most of the information which a press package needs – the information just has to be compiled in a presentable form.

Included here is a brief overview of some of the recommended ingredients of a good artist’s media kit. What you need may vary according to where and who you are presenting it to. Below this are some tips for creating a media package of your own, and also some sites you may visit including press kit examples and samples.

 

What is Needed in an Artist Press Kit

1. Artist Statement

   The artist statement is a written summary about your art, and the direction you are going. It articulates what your art is about, so that others will know where you stand as an artist. Artist statements are meant to be updated often, especially before exhibitions and explorations of new themes. Most artists already have one of these, so there should be no problem formatting and editing it for your press kit.
   
   To learn more about artist statements, you may refer to this post: How to Create an Artist Statement
   
   
   

2. Artist Biography

   The biography is about what you have accomplished as an artist. It highlights your exhibitions, awards, achievements, etc. The main difference between this and an artist statement is statements are written in first person, while biographies are generally third person. This is also information which most artists already have complied.
   
    

3. Artist Resume

   The artist’s resume typically has the same structure as a regular employment resume. It is a summary of an artist’s contact information, education, exhibitions, awards and more.
   
   The resume should also be type written on quality paper and formatted accordingly.
   
   To learn how to make an artist resume, please visit this tutorial: How to Create an Artist Resume 
   
   

4. Artist Business Cards

   Business cards brand the artist with a professional image and are effective for promotional purposes. Include your logo, your name (or studio name) and contact information. Also include your artist website if you have one. Hand them to potential buyers, gallery owners and also include at least one in your press package.
   
   

5. Press Releases

   Press releases are summaries sent to media outlets concerning exhibitions and other art events. Include any recent and important press releases to your media kit. Please visit this article for information on how to make a press release. How to Create an Artist Press Release
   
   

6. CD or DVD of artworks and Interviews

   The CD or DVD can include some images of your best artworks. The artworks should be professionally photographed. Have them well categorized and labelled accordingly.
   
   Realize though that some busy people receiving the CD may find it too time consuming to even browse through the CD. An alternative would be to have several artworks printed on heavy stock paper (post card size) and include critical details such as title, medium, dimensions, date, and artist.
   
   If you have been interviewed in the past or would like to include a visual tour of your studio, have this in a separate DVD.
   
   

7. Published articles

   Published articles can include write-ups about you in art magazines and well-known art blogs.
   
   

8. Artist Brochure

   We may include information and tips for creating an artist brochure in an upcoming article. Please subscribe if you do not want to miss this post.
   
   

9. A photo of yourself

   Have one professionally photographed, or have someone photograph you in your studio.
   

 

Tips for Creating your Artist Press Kit

There are various ways you can format and create your press kit. Here are some tips for doing so.

1. Use good quality paper.
2. Have a good quality heavy-weight folder to hold everything. Have one of your best and attractive artworks on the cover and your name at the top.
3. Have your contact information on each sheet of paper.
4. Use consistent fonts.
5. Add your logo to each part of your press kit.
6. Label CD’s and DVD’s
7. Save your press kit in PDF and/or Word form, so that it can be edited later.
8. Consider adding your press kit to a page at your artist website.
   
    

Press Kit Examples and Samples

Many artists on the web have made their press kits available for view. I recommend taking a look at some of these press kits and press pages (for websites) and noting some ideas how you can design your own. Press pages at websites of artists will be a topic of a future article.

You may also try searching at Google for press kit examples fine arts and media kit samples fine arts.

1. Nubbytwiglet
2. Lori McNee
3. Hiroko Sakai
4. Tara Reed
5. David Leaser 

Do you have a media kit or press page you would like to share as an example for other artists? Please share it below, or send a photo via the contact link at the top of this page. We will post it here as a press kit sample for artists.