Preparing an arts and cultural CV (or resume) for the Canada Council for the Arts

This guide provides information to help artists and arts workers prepare a new CV or adapt an existing one. It focuses on presenting their arts and cultural training, activities, and experience to the Canada Council.

A CV is required for the Canada Council when you:

choose and submit an applicant profile on the portal;
apply for grants; or
nominate yourself to be part of a committee that assesses applications.

After uploading your CV to the portal, make sure to keep it up to date, as it will be used in your grant applications and reviewed by assessors.

Applicant profile

The purpose of an applicant profile is:

To present who you are and what you do, including your role and field of practice (discipline).
To apply for grants. You need an approved applicant profile before you can apply for funding.

Before submitting an applicant profile:

Visit the Check your eligibility page to see the eligibility criteria for all the applicant profiles. Choose the applicant profile that best matches your activities and experience.
Review the eligibility criteria and make sure your CV shows how you meet them. Use this guide to help link your activities and experience to the chosen applicant profile.

Prepare or adapt an arts and cultural CV

Basic information

Include your:

name, and any other professional name or alias you use; and
links to arts and cultural website and social media accounts.

If you are applying for a Canada Council grant, do not include personal information such as your:

social insurance number (SIN); or
phone number, email or mailing addresses.

Summary

Briefly share your story (no more than 250 words). You can use some of the ideas below to describe your arts and cultural activities and experiences. For example, you could share:

the type of arts and cultural work you do;
your field of practice (discipline), themes you work with, or the focus of your artistic activities;
how you began your arts and cultural activities;
areas where you have specialized skills and knowledge;
key moments that shaped your journey or any accomplishments you are proud of;
the communities you work with or the public you want to reach; or
information about your practice, community or region and the impact it has on your work.

Arts and cultural training and learning

Training and learning can take place in different ways, including outside of school settings. Examples include:

teaching yourself by taking online tutorials or courses;
attending webinars or workshops;
apprenticing or learning on the job;
being mentored;
learning under the guidance of an Elder, family member or community member; or
attending college, university or other type of school.

Describe how you learned to do what you do. Include as much of the following information as is relevant to your training:

When did your training take place?
What did you learn?
Where did you study or train?
Who was your teacher or mentor?

Artistic and cultural work presented to the public

List public presentations of your artistic and cultural work, including, but not limited to:

recordings, releases and performances;
presentations, exhibitions, installations, screenings, curatorial projects; and
published work and readings.

Keep listings short but give enough details to describe your experience and artistic practices. Include as much of the following information as is relevant:

When was the work presented?
What was the title of the work?
What was the type of presentation? (For example: exhibition, screening, performance.)
What was your role?
Where was the work presented and by whom?

If you are submitting your CV for an applicant profile :

Describe your activities in a way that shows how they meet the applicant profile eligibility criteria. For example:

Add “paid an artist fee” where you received a fee for presenting your work
Indicate when a work was selected by a curator by adding “curated”
Group independent works together, under the heading “independent works”

Artists and community collaboration activities

Artists and community collaboration activities bring artists and members of the broader community together to collaborate as creative partners. List any activities you have organized, worked on, or participated in. Include as much of the following information as is relevant:

When did the activity take place?
What was the activity?
What was your role?
Who were the participating community members or partners?
Where did the activity take place?

Arts and cultural work experience

List arts and cultural roles you have been contracted or hired to do, such as:

artistic roles including creators, designers and performers;
artistic director, producer, curator or programmer;
general manager, arts administrator, marketing, or fundraising roles;
service provider or consultant;
critic, writer, translator or editor;
technician or production staff; or
agent or artist manager.

Include as much of the following information as is relevant:

When were you employed?
What was your role?
Who did you work for?
Where did you work?

Other sections

This part of your CV highlights other types of activities, experiences and accomplishments that are related to your arts and cultural practice or work. You may include some or all of the following sections:

Teaching and mentorships
Volunteer experience
Residencies
Artist talks, presentations, and articles
Awards and community recognition
Assessment and adjudication
Media coverage
Memberships and affiliations

Include as much of the following information as is relevant:

On what date or during what period did it take place?
What was the activity?
What was your role?
Where did it take place?

Additional resources

Check out these useful resources:

Optional CV template (.doc) – Download this document and fill it out in your preferred word processing software.
Sample arts and cultural CV – An example of a finished arts and cultural CV.