Artist Writing Workshop:

Bio and Statement

With Robin Cembalest

Next class: Monday, October 28, 4-6 PM ET

A Writing Class Created Especially for Artists

As a visual artist, you’re destined to spend your career working with words: the bio and statement you’ll need for your website, grant applications, artist registries, media inquiries, and more. Robin Cembalest, former ARTnews editor who is on the faculty of the School of Visual Arts, has helped hundreds of artists to improve their writing in her lively workshops at residencies, art schools, and artist organizations. In this online group workshop, she shares the skills and tools you need to translate your art (and ideas) into clear, accessible language.

For artists at any stage of their careers

Whether you’re just starting your statement or urgently need an update, artists at any stage of their careers will benefit from this empowering writing workshop.

Drawing on her deep expertise in contemporary art and knowledge of the art industry, Robin helps each participant to define and position their practice. With her experience as an editor, she demystifies the writing process and helps every student to communicate more effectively.

Get templates and feedback

Robin shares templates and specific examples from a wide range of artists to break down the bio process. She offers tactics to describe yourself and your art, chronicle your process, and unpack the deeper meaning of your work. She provides outlines for both bio and statement and explains what goes where. Then, she’ll offer feedback and advice on each participant’s statement. With just eight spots in each Eventbrite workshop, Robin ensures that every student is empowered to move forward.

“The best investment”:

Read client and student reviews!

  • “We all learned so much! I've never seen our students writing down notes so furiously for such a sustained amount of time.”

    — Josephine Halvorson, Professor of Art and Chair of Graduate Studies in Painting, The 2022 University Lecturer, School of Visual Arts, University

  • Robin’s delivery is relaxed and comfortable as she demystifies the writing process for artists. After she broke down all the parts of well-written editorial structures, I left feeling confident that I had the ingredients to cook up my own written content for short and long artist bios and statements for all sorts of contexts.

    —Eva Avenue, artist and student recruiter, Art Students League

  • In my tenure as the graduate student program coordinator for CalArts, having a series of Robin Cembalest's workshops as preparation for graduation was the best investment I made to help my cohort transition from the academic to the professional art world.

    —Juan Herrera, Former Graduate Student Program Coordinator, CalArts

  • Robin's core knowledge of communication strategies, coupled with her inspiring comfort within an ever evolving landscape, make her an invaluable resource.

    —Derek I. Webster, Senior Associate Director for Creative Careers, Yale University Office of Career Strategy

  • For the first time since I began making art, I am excited about writing my statement and my bio. I learned so much!

    —Beatrice Scaccia, artist

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Feel free to bring any bio, statement, or text about your work. Please keep texts to under 200 words. We will share the texts in the chat box during the session.

  • If you’re just starting your bio, no worries! This class will give you the tools to move forward. Seeing the conversations around the other bios will help you craft your own.

  • Great! All bio writers welcome!

  • Yes! Please contact Robin here to see how she can help your students or your team!

  • Yes! Robin works with individual clients on Zoom to craft their bios and statements. Click here to learn more.

  • Yes! Gift cards are available for Robin’s Eventbrite classes and as well as private coaching. Click here to learn more!

Book Your Spot

Reserve your spot now!
Eventbrite workshops: $75 per person, maximum 8 participants

Robin Cembalest

Respected journalist, influential Instagrammer, and the former longtime editor of ARTnews, Robin Cembalest teaches arts professionals to communicate effectively across all editorial channels.