How to Create Instagram Highlights: A Step-by-Step Guide for Artists

Instagram Highlights are a small part of your profile, but they make a big difference. The moment someone opens your page, their eyes naturally go to those circles under your bio. That’s why using them the right way can instantly make your profile look more organised and professional.

In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to create Instagram Highlights, step by step, and what kind of Highlights every artist should have on their profile.

Let’s get into it.

Why Instagram Highlights Matter for Artists

Artists usually focus on posts and reels — which is great — but Highlights are the place where your most important information permanently lives.

They sit right at the top of your profile, and anyone who clicks them can understand:

• What kind of art you create
  

• How professional you are
  

• Whether you take commissions
  

• What buyers or students think about your work
  

• Whether your art has been recognized anywhere
  

As an artist, these things matter. A buyer, gallery owner, curator, or even a student scrolling through your profile relies on Highlights to understand your journey and your credibility.

What Highlights Actually Are

Normally, Instagram stories disappear after 24 hours.
But when you save them to a Highlight, they stay on your profile forever — unless you remove them.

For artists, this is extremely useful. You get to pick the stories that represent your art and your journey the best, and turn them into organized categories.

How Highlights Help You Look Professional

Think of your Highlights like labelled sections in an art exhibition:

• Artworks
  

• Commissions
  

• Reviews
  

• Exhibitions
  

• Digital Art
  

• Media Coverage
  
  

Anyone opening your profile gets a clear idea of who you are as an artist.
Instead of scrolling through dozens of posts, they see your most important work instantly. And this tells them — without you saying it — that you take your practice seriously.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create Instagram Highlights

Here is a simple walkthrough you can follow. 

Step 1: Open Your Instagram App

Make sure you’re logged into your professional artist profile.

Step 2: Go to Your Profile Menu

Tap the three-line (≡) icon in the top-right corner. This opens your profile settings.

Step 3: Open the Archive Section

Tap on “Archive.” Instagram automatically saves all your story uploads here — even if they are no longer visible on your profile

Step 4: Select Stories You Want to Save

Scroll through your archived stories.

Tap the story you want to add to your Highlight.

This could be:

• An artwork process video
  

• A sketch
  

• A finished painting
  

• Client feedback
  

• Media coverage
  

• A workshop photo
  

Choose only the stories you want people to see permanently.

Step 5: Add the Story to a Highlight

Tap the “Highlight” option at the bottom of the story. This will show you a list of your existing Highlights.

Step 6: Create a New Highlight with a Clear Name

To create a new Highlight:

1. Click the “+ New” option
   

2. Add the selected story
   

3. Give the Highlight a clear, simple name
   

For example:

• “Artworks”
  

• “Client Feedback”
  

• “Commissions”
  

• “Media”
  

• “Exhibitions”
  

• “Events”
  
  

Avoid confusing or fancy names that people might not understand. The goal is clarity.

Must-Have Highlights for an Artist’s Profile

Here are the Highlights every professional artist should consider adding:

1. Artworks

This is where you show your finished pieces, your prints, or any artwork you want viewers to notice immediately.

Why This Highlight Matters

Anyone visiting your profile should quickly understand your style, medium, and artistic direction.

What to Include

• Clear pictures of your artworks
  
  

• Title or short description
  
  

• Whether the artwork is available
  
  

• Optional: Price or “DM to buy”
  
  

This saves your audience from searching your entire feed.

 

2. Client Feedback / Reviews

Your art may speak for itself, but social proof builds trust.
Include:

• Screenshots of client messages
  

• Reviews from buyers
  

• Testimonials from students
  

• Simple appreciation stories

Even One Review Helps

Even if you have just one feedback story — add it. It instantly adds credibility.

3. Media Coverage

If your work has been featured anywhere — online or offline — this is the place to show it.

Showcasing Industry Recognition

Media coverage tells people:

• Your work has been noticed

• Your art has value
  

• Your journey is growing professionally
  

This is especially important for students or young artists building their portfolio.

4. Exhibitions & Events

If you’ve:

• Participated in exhibitions

• Set up stalls
  

• Conducted workshops
  

• Attended art fairs
  

• Spoken in college events
  

These stories belong here.

Highlighting Your Artistic Journey

Adding stories from different years shows how your practice has grown over time.

People love seeing progress — it speaks louder than any introduction.

Why Relevant Highlights Strengthen Your Profile

Avoiding Irrelevant Stories

Your Highlights should not look like a mix of random content. Irrelevant stories make your profile look unorganized and unprofessional.

Keeping Your Profile Clean and Professional

Buyers don’t want to scroll through unrelated personal content. They want clarity — your art, your journey, your credibility.
So keep your Highlights focused and meaningful.

Final Thoughts

Instagram Highlights are not just decorative circles on your profile — they are an essential part of your identity as an artist.

By creating structured, useful, and relevant Highlights, you give your audience:

• A clear look at your art
  

• Your work history
  

• Your achievements
  

• Your professionalism
  

This small step can make your entire profile look more polished and trustworthy.

In the next part of this series, we’ll dive into what kinds of stories you should add to your Highlights if you want to sell your artworks.

Stay tuned!