Setting up your artist profile to stand out

Choose a strong profile photo

Your profile photo is the first thing hosts see. Choose a clear, well-lit image where your face is visible — ideally one that shows some personality. A photo of you in your studio or at work is more compelling than a formal headshot.

Avoid group photos, heavily filtered images, or anything too small to see clearly. This is your introduction; make it count.

Write a bio that tells a story

Skip the artist statement jargon. Write your bio the way you'd introduce yourself to someone at an opening — friendly, specific, and genuine. Mention what you make, where you're based, what drives your practice, and what you're looking for in an exchange.

A good bio answers the host's unspoken question: 'What would it be like to have this person in my space?' Keep it under 150 words. Specificity beats vagueness — 'I make large-scale charcoal drawings of industrial landscapes' is more memorable than 'I'm a multidisciplinary visual artist.'

Showcase your best work

Upload 4-6 portfolio photos that represent your current practice. Quality over quantity — choose images that are well-photographed, show range within your discipline, and give a sense of your skill level.

Include at least one process shot or work-in-progress image. Hosts want to see not just finished pieces, but how you work. If your practice is performance-based or ephemeral, document it thoughtfully.

Be specific about your disciplines

Select the disciplines that genuinely describe your work. If you paint and do printmaking, list both. But resist the temptation to select everything — hosts use disciplines to filter artists, and being specific helps the right matches find you.

Add a tagline that captures your practice in a few words. Think of it as your creative elevator pitch: 'Ceramic sculptor exploring food systems' or 'Documentary photographer and zine maker.'

Keep it current

Update your profile whenever your work evolves. A stale profile suggests inactivity. If you've completed a residency through Artaway, mention it in your bio — it shows experience with the format and builds trust with future hosts.