Creating a Winning Artist Portfolio – A Guide for Open Call Submissions
Introduction: Why a Strong Portfolio Matters
A polished portfolio is more than a collection of images—it’s your professional story. Whether you’re applying for an open call, pitching to a gallery or seeking a residency, your portfolio shapes how curators, collectors and collaborators perceive your work. At The Holy Art, we see hundreds of submissions and find that artists who present their work clearly and cohesively stand out from the crowd. This guide walks you through assembling a portfolio that does justice to your creativity.
Curate Your Work Thoughtfully
Start by evaluating your body of work:
Show your strongest pieces. Quality matters more than quantity. Aim for 10–20 works that best represent your current practice.
Demonstrate consistency and range. Curators want to see both your unique voice and your versatility. Group works by series or theme, and avoid including pieces that feel out of place.
Consider chronology. Arrange works to tell a story—perhaps beginning with your latest pieces and working backwards to show growth.
Tailor selections to the opportunity. For The Holy Art’s open calls, include works that fit the theme or concept of the exhibition while staying true to your style. Keep a master portfolio on hand and adapt subsets for each submission.
Invest in High‑Quality Documentation
First impressions often happen through images:
Use good lighting. Natural daylight or soft studio lighting helps capture true colours and reduces glare. Avoid harsh shadows or mixed light sources.
Ensure accurate colour and focus. Use a tripod for stability and adjust camera settings or white balance to match your artwork. Shoot at high resolution (300 dpi or higher).
Crop carefully. Present the artwork without distracting backgrounds. Include a small border if needed to show edges or framing.
Document different views. For 3D works, provide multiple angles and detail shots. If your work has texture or mixed media elements, close‑ups help jurors appreciate the craftsmanship.
Rename files clearly (e.g., Lastname_Title_Year_Medium_Dimensions.jpg) and ensure they meet size requirements for online submissions.
Craft a Compelling Artist Statement and Bio
Words add context to your images:
Artist statement: In one to two paragraphs, describe the ideas, inspirations and processes behind your work. Write in the first person, be authentic and avoid jargon. Explain what you want viewers to experience or question.
Short bio: A brief narrative about your background, education and artistic journey. Mention where you’re based, significant exhibitions or awards, and any influences that shape your practice.
CV/Resume: Provide a separate document listing your education, solo and group exhibitions, residencies, publications and other relevant achievements in reverse chronological order. Keep it clear and concise; omit irrelevant job history.
Proofread all texts and ask a colleague or mentor for feedback. A well‑written statement and bio show professionalism and self-awareness.
Build an Engaging Portfolio Website
A dedicated website signals that you take your career seriously:
Choose a clean design. Platforms like Squarespace, Wix or WordPress offer templates tailored for artists. Prioritise readability and let the work take centre stage.
Organise by series or medium. Create separate pages or galleries for each body of work, and include captions with titles, dates, mediums and dimensions.
Include your statement, bio and CV. These should be easy to find and download.
Make it easy to contact you. Provide a contact form or email address, and link to your social media.
Optimise for mobile. Many viewers will access your site on phones or tablets, so ensure it loads quickly and looks good on smaller screens.
Update your site regularly to reflect your latest work and exhibitions.
Leverage Online Platforms and Social Media
In addition to your own website:
Portfolio sites: Behance, ArtStation and Issuu allow you to share projects with built‑in audiences. Use these platforms to reach curators who browse them for talent.
Instagram and TikTok: These visually oriented apps can act as supplementary portfolios. Curate your feed to reflect your practice, and use Stories or Reels for behind‑the‑scenes content.
LinkedIn: Maintain a professional profile that includes your artistic accomplishments. This helps when applying for residencies or grants.
Ensure your visual identity and messaging are consistent across platforms. Use the same profile picture, bio and links to reinforce your brand.
Tailor and Maintain Your Portfolio
Keep it fresh. Remove older work that no longer represents your direction and add new pieces as they’re completed.
Customise for each submission. When applying to multiple calls, adjust the portfolio to highlight works most relevant to each opportunity. However, maintain an overarching narrative about who you are as an artist.
Document exhibitions and press. Include installation photos, reviews and media features to show your track record and public engagement.
Backup your files. Store original photos and documents in multiple places (external drives, cloud storage) to prevent loss.
Regularly reviewing your portfolio will help you track your evolution and identify gaps or strengths in your practice.
Conclusion: Present Yourself with Confidence
A well‑curated, professionally presented portfolio opens doors. It communicates your vision, skills and seriousness to galleries, curators and collectors. By thoughtfully selecting work, investing in high‑quality documentation and presenting yourself consistently online, you increase your chances of success—whether applying to The Holy Art’s open calls or any other opportunity.
Ready to showcase your talent? Visit our Artist Apply page to find current open calls, and use your new portfolio to submit with confidence.
