Artists Write to Work: A Practical Guide to Writing about Your Art

Artists need to write, every day, to support their studio practice and careers. Working artists know this. Newly minted art graduates and emerging artists learn this the hard way—usually when a gallerist asks for basic documents like an artist resume, biography, and statement to support an upcoming exhibition! Conversational and instructive, this practical primer helps artists learn the best writing and research strategies for their letters, biographies, statements, proposals, applications, wall text, and more. Kate Kramer, lecturer in critical writing at the University of Pennsylvania, aligns writing strategies with art school curriculum (foundations, topics, capstones, professional development). This is the book every artist will turn to again and again. In addition to models, templates, worksheets, and sample analyses of calls for entry, it references readily available and public resources throughout. Ultimately, this primer brings writing process into practice so the art work can continue to thrive.

Kate Kramer is lecturer in critical writing at the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked as a curator, gallery director, art historian, public art administrator, and writer.