How to Create an Artist Press Kit: A Step-by-Step Guide
The latest issue of Contemporary Art has introduced a guide aimed at unrepresented artists who wish to gain media attention through press kits. It details two types of kits: the standard press kit, which comprises an artist CV, a biography (short version of 80-120 words and long version of 250-400 words), 10-20 artworks, installation views, and a portrait; and an exhibition-specific kit, which includes a press release, a checklist, installation views (10-25 frames), images of individual works, and a caption/credit sheet. Images must be high-resolution at 300 DPI, with a minimum size of 3000 pixels for print and about 2000 pixels for online use. Kits should be sent via Dropbox or Google Drive. The guide suggests distributing press releases 2-4 weeks prior to openings and encourages targeted outreach. It also highlights the CAI Career Tools Bundle for templates.
Key facts
- Press kits are standard for galleries; unrepresented artists should create their own.
- Two types: standard (permanent) and exhibition-specific.
- Standard kit includes CV, biography, 10-20 works, installation views, portrait.
- Exhibition kit includes press release, checklist, all installation views, individual work images, caption/credit sheet.
- Images: 300 DPI, min 3000px long edge for print; ~2000px, under 1MB for web.
- Use Dropbox or Google Drive with permanent links; avoid WeTransfer and ZIP-only.
- Send press release 2-4 weeks before opening, installation views within days after.
- CAI Career Tools Bundle provides templates for press kit documents.
- File naming should be descriptive, e.g., 'Name-Surname-of-Work_2026_HR.jpg'.
- Never supply watermarked or low-resolution images.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Contemporary Art Issue
- Pace Gallery
- MASSIMODECARLO