Artist Files Online (AFO)

Overview of the AFO Web Database

The AFO Web database can be searched both by predetermined options—gender, age range, cultural identification, disability, experience, geographic location—and by using a Keyword search of the resume. The predetermined options are selected by selecting from the choices given (and for location: a map of the U.S., as well as checkboxes for the names of the states, is provided). Each selction narrows the scope of your search. If you select "Male", you will see no female's resumes on that search. On the other hand, you may select many states. If you neglect to select any states, the search will cover the entire northern hemisphere. Otherwise, the search is limited to the set of states you select.

Successful use of the Keyword search requires some skill, since it is easy to over-specify, thereby unnecessarily limiting the scope of your search. For instance, I usually search for "Shake" when looking for "Shakespeare", to make sure that I see resumes that have "Shakespeare" misspelled.

Good results are obtained by using both these parts of the search engine to create a highly directed search.