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

by Kate Kramer

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 the documents they must craft: 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.

Genres: Writing, Art, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

Published January 28, 2019

About the author

Educator. Writer. Art + Design Enthusiast.

Reviews

[Christopher Poehlmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am living proof that what Kate Kramer writes about in this book works. We met back in the early 90’s when I was starting my career as a full time artist. Back then, I considered myself nearly incapable of successfully putting pen to paper. Kate helped me understand that I had the tools needed to write successful bios and press releases. Now, nearly 30 years later, I not only practice daily what she has been preaching, but I am now a occasional contributing writer for blogs and print about art and design — accomplishments I know would never have been possible without her tutalage. Yes, it’s true that we are married, giving me a live in editor, but I no longer have my drafts returned to me full of red marks. Artists Write to Work is chock full of the ideas and information Kate has taught me over the years as well as the multitude of classes she has taught on the subject. I wholeheartedly endorse this book and recommend that all creatives add it to their libraries.

[Jordan St. Stier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Kramer is a marvelous person, and from my personal experience, everything that Kate says in this book, she means. Artists Write to Work is an interesting book even for me, who has no current application for any of its contents, but you don't need to be a professional artist to understand how to keep your head above the water, and Kate and her book certainly help with that.

[Taryn]

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