The Cover Letter

From the Women's Caucus for Art (WCA) packet "Presenting Your Work" written by Leslie J. Klein, edited by Ann Rosenthal and published by the WCA.

Your cover letter is a short introduction to your presentation package. It should be on your letterhead, using standard business form, with a personal signature. Include your business card.

You don't have to have engraved stationery--you can create your own using press-type, computer generated graphics, or even hand lettering. Copy centers generally have different grades of paper from which you can choose and, in this way, you can have professional stationery.

There are many books on the market and in the library detailing the proper form of a business letter This may seem to be stilted and uncreative coming from an artist, and you may have balked in the past at such constraints, but you are now a professional business person, and you are taking care of business.

In your cover letter, say who you are and why you are writing. You can make a brief statement about your work, and why you think it will be particularly suited to their gallery or institution. Some artists, when writing in response to a call for an exhibit with a particular theme or media, also mention other kinds of work they do for future consideration. If it seems appropriate to the proposal or project, you can note the size or price range of your work.

Give your phone number and encourage them to call you for more information and/or material. Invite them to your studio, if that is feasible. Leave the more detailed description of your motives, philosophy, and technique for your artist's statement.

Cover Letter Example 1:

B.W. Designs
Barbara W, Walters
9400 N.W.
Hollywood, FL 33024

February 6, 1990

Dear ____________,

It has come to my attention that the museum is considering a quilt exhibit at some as yet undetermined date. As a professional contemporary quilter who happens to reside in this area I have spent time on and supported the promotion of quality quilt exhibits.

I include herein for your consideration and possible inclusion in this upcoming exhibit my slides, photographs and a current resume along with a SASE for the return of these materials. Should you have any questions or wish to review actual quilts available for such an exhibit please contact me so work can be reserved.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,


Barbara W. Walters

Cover Letter Example 2:

Susan Emery Eisenberg
11021 SW
Miami. Florida 33176

Exhibit Curator
XYZ Museum of Fine Art

Dear ___________,

Please review the enclosed portfolio for a possible one-person exhibit during the upcoming exhibition season. My work ranges in size from 5 inches to over 5 feet. The financial requirements for a exhibition of my drawings and paintings include transportation of the art, insurance, printing and mailing costs. with no unusual security or installation requirements.

The slides included are from the "Mask Series'" which was started during a 1985-86 Florida Individual Visual Arts Fellowship. Currently there art more than 90 two or three dimensional works in this series.

Thank you for viewing my slides. and I look forward from you.

Sincerely yours.


Susan Emery Eisenberg