Teaching children to write Artist Statements

      While the majority of focus in art classrooms is just having children learn concepts and how to create certain types of art, it is equally important that they learn to develop artist statements to accompany their work. When teaching children of various ages to write artist statements for their work, the instructor should first begin by teaching them why artist statements are important to develop. “ An Artist’s Statement provides valuable insight for artists into their own work and process…it can help make their ideas more cohesive, give greater self-confidence…fulfills a vital role as an evaluation and monitoring exercise for the artist to assess their own work”(Jeffs). If children understand why artist statements are helpful, they will be more willing to put real work into writing them. Artist statements also help the artist communicate the language of their art to those viewing it (Bamberger). The next aspect of writing an artist’s statement that should be taught is that, “There is no one right answer on how to write an Artist Statement” (Jeffs). Students should know that they cannot write a wrong artist’s statement as it is a personal piece of writing (Gordon).

      Before students begin to write their artist statements, there are a few guidelines that if given, will help them to create a more professional piece that can better convey what they are trying to do. Firstly and one of the most important things to remember is to,

      “Write your statement in language that anyone can understand…not that you or your friends understand. An effective statement reaches out and welcomes people to your art, no matter how little or how much they know about art to begin with; it never excludes” (Bamberger). The artist must always remember to write their statement in the first person, using “I” voice. It also helps to use the present tense. Another guideline is that it is better if the artist statement is brief no more than a page in length (Jeffs). Once beginning to write the statement, remind students to, “Keep your sentences authentic and direct” (Gordon).

      Then it’s time to instruct the students on actually writing their statement. If they don’t really know what to write, the following questions and statements can help them out. Have them write on, “Why you make your art, how you make it, what it’s made out of, and what it means to you” (Bamberger). Bamberger also states that it should “hook…like a really good story is about to be told” as well as, “connect what your art expresses with the medium you’re expressing it in. For example if your art is about world piece, and consists of twigs protruding from pieces of clay, explain the connection”. Finally, there are various options for younger children when constructing artist statements. Teachers can simply have them fill out a short worksheet with questions and use that as an artist’s statement until they can develop them on their own.

Questions that work wonderfully for worksheets and other methods of writing statements for younger students follow:

-What is your favorite tool? Why

-What is your favorite material? Why?

-What do you like best about what you do?

-What do you mean when you say that a piece has turned out really well?

-What patterns emerge in your work? Is there a pattern in the way you select materials? In the way you use color, texture or light?

-What do you do differently from the way you were taught? Why?

-What is your favorite color? List three qualities of the color. Consider that these qualities apply to your work.

-Write five sentences that tell the truth about your connection to your work. If you are stuck, start by filling in the blanks below.

When I work with __________ I am reminded that ___________.

I begin a piece by ______________.

I know a piece is done when __________________.

When my work is going well, I am filled with a sense of _____________.

When people see my work, I'd like them to ________________.

Bamberger, Alan. "Your Artist Statement: Explaining the Unexplainable." Art Business.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2010.  
Gordon, Molly. "How to Write an Artist's Statement with Creativity and Integrity ." creativity portal. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2010.
Jeffs, Cherry. "How to Write an Artist's Statement." suite101.com. N.p., 9 Mar. 2010. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. .