Project Statement Guidelines

 

  • A project statement should address a specific body of work including what you make, how and why you make it, and how you understand your work’s meaning.
  • Connect the content with the form.
  • Be concise, delete unnecessary words.
  • Be specific, not vague.
  • In a short text, each sentence should say something interesting on its own.
  • Allow for the viewer’s interpretation, but don’t be evasive.  Consider writing about how something comes about, and why it interests you, rather than what it’s supposed to mean.
  • Try grounding the abstract ideas of your work (concept) in real life / concrete relatable experiences.
  • Write plainly, avoid “art-speak”/ academic jargon.
  • Explain unusual processes and materials succinctly, and WHY you use them.
  • Avoid obscure references, unless they’re crucial to your work.
  • Decide what you want to address and what you don’t want to address about your work in a statement.  Define the terms of your discourse.
  • Draw the reader in and keep their interest by making interesting and relatable points.
  • The statement and art should offer something unexpected or expansive.  If the reader / viewer is left wondering, “So what? That’s obvious.”, dig deeper, keep searching.
  • Don’t be formulaic and write, “My practice explores ________ through the use of _________.”
  • Use a standard voice for a project statement. This is a reflection / introduction about the artwork, not the artwork itself.  Consider the difference between art that incorporates text, vs. text about art. A project statement is text about art. A standard voice project statement is used for applications to exhibitions, grants, etc.
  • Use the word “photograph” not “photo” or “picture”, unless you have a good reason for doing so.
  • Give your project a title.
  • Keep it short. 1 to 2 paragraphs.
  • Like an essay, begin and conclude the statement with memorable points or questions.

Brainstorming (try free-writes and concept maps)

  • What am I doing
  • How am I doing it?
  • Why am I doing it?
  • What influences me the most?
  • How does my art relate to the art of my contemporaries and history?
  • What do I want others to understand about my art?
  • Am I unwilling to discuss any aspects of my work? If so, why?