An art teacher cover letter should show your teaching style, classroom successes, and passion for visual arts while remaining concise and readable. Use our examples and templates to shape a letter that fits your experience and the school you are applying to.
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💡 Pro tip: Use this template as a starting point. Customize it with your own experience, skills, and achievements.
Key Elements of a Strong Cover Letter
Start with your name, phone number, email, and a link to your portfolio or teaching samples. Include the school name and hiring manager when you have that detail so your letter feels personal.
Begin with a brief statement that connects your skills to the school's needs or mission. Avoid generic lines and mention a relevant achievement or project to draw the reader in.
Describe how you help students learn art, including methods, classroom management, and examples of student work or exhibitions. Share measurable outcomes when possible, such as improved student engagement or successful shows.
End with a courteous request for an interview and a reference to your portfolio or lesson samples. Provide availability and thank the reader for their time.
Cover Letter Structure
1. Header
Place your name and contact information at the top, followed by the date and the school's contact details. If you have a portfolio website, include the link so the hiring team can view examples of your work.
2. Greeting
Address the letter to the hiring manager or principal by name when possible, as this shows you researched the school. If you cannot find a name, use a professional greeting such as "Dear Hiring Committee".
3. Opening Paragraph
Open with a concise sentence that explains the position you are applying for and why you are a good fit for the school. Mention one clear accomplishment or attribute that connects to the school's arts program.
4. Body Paragraph(s)
In one or two short paragraphs, describe your teaching approach and share specific examples of classroom projects, exhibitions, or student outcomes. Highlight certifications, relevant experience, and how you adapt lessons for different grade levels or learning needs.
5. Closing Paragraph
Finish with a polite call to action that invites further conversation and points readers to your portfolio or lesson samples. Thank the reader for considering your application and include your availability for an interview.
6. Signature
Use a professional closing such as "Sincerely" or "Kind regards" followed by your full name. Under your name, repeat your phone number and portfolio link so they are easy to find.
Dos and Don'ts
Do tailor each letter to the school and position, mentioning a program or value that matters to them. This shows you are genuinely interested and that you did your research.
Do showcase a brief example of student work or a successful unit, and link to images or lesson plans when possible. Concrete examples help hiring managers picture your impact.
Do keep the letter to one page and use 2 to 3 short paragraphs for the body. Hiring teams appreciate clarity and respect for their time.
Do use active language and specific verbs to describe your teaching, such as "guided," "designed," or "exhibited." This makes your contributions clear without sounding vague.
Do proofread carefully for grammar and consistency, and ask a colleague to review for clarity. Small errors can distract from your qualifications.
Don’t repeat your resume line by line, as the letter should add context to your experience. Use the cover letter to tell a story about how you teach and why you are motivated.
Don’t use overly flowery language or education jargon, as plain phrasing reads better. Focus on clear examples and outcomes instead of vague statements.
Don’t include sensitive student details or names in public materials, as privacy is crucial. Summarize achievements without personal identifiers.
Don’t make unsupported claims about being the top candidate or guaranteed to improve scores, as those statements can sound exaggerated. Let your examples and results speak for you.
Don’t forget to update school names and roles when reusing templates, as mistakes like the wrong school name undermine your credibility. Always double check before sending.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Writing a generic opening that could apply to any school reduces your chances, because hiring teams look for fit. Mention something specific about the school to stand out.
Listing only technical skills without describing classroom results makes the letter feel incomplete, because you need to show impact. Include short examples of student work or lesson outcomes.
Using a long, dense paragraph makes the letter hard to scan, and busy readers may miss key points. Break content into short paragraphs for readability.
Forgetting to link to your portfolio means the hiring team cannot see your work, which weakens your application. Always include easy access to images or lesson plans.
Practical Writing Tips & Customization Guide
Open with a one-sentence hook that ties your experience to the school, and follow with a short supporting example. This keeps the reader engaged while staying concise.
Include a short sentence about classroom management or differentiated instruction to reassure hiring teams about your teaching control. Pair it with a quick example of how you adapt lessons.
Use your portfolio to show a before and after of a student project or a unit plan with outcomes, because visuals strengthen your claims. Label portfolio items clearly so reviewers can scan quickly.
If you have community or exhibition experience, mention it briefly to show broader engagement, and note any partnerships with local galleries or organizations. This demonstrates your ability to build opportunities for students.
Cover Letter Examples
Example 1 — Recent Graduate (Elementary Art Teacher)
Dear Principal Rivera,
I am excited to apply for the K–5 Art Teacher opening at Lincoln Elementary. In my student-teaching placement I designed a year-long curriculum for 90 students across three grades that increased hands-on studio time by 25% and raised participation in the weekly art club from 8 to 28 students.
I taught foundational drawing, color theory, and simple printmaking, and used formative exit tickets to track skill progress so I could adjust lessons within one week.
I bring a digital portfolio (link below) with step-by-step lesson plans, assessment rubrics aligned to state standards, and photos of scaffolded projects for mixed-ability groups. I hold a BFA and completed 12 hours of coursework in classroom management and inclusive practice.
I am eager to bring energetic, structured art lessons to Lincoln and to support cross-curricular projects with the 2nd grade team.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my classroom routines and portfolio match your goals.
What makes this effective: concrete numbers (90 students, +25%), portfolio link, alignment to standards, and clear next steps.
Example 2 — Career Changer (Graphic Designer to Middle School Art Teacher)
Dear Hiring Committee,
After eight years as a graphic designer at a local studio, I am transitioning to middle school art education and applying for the 6–8 Art Teacher role at Jefferson Middle. I have led community workshops for over 200 teens, launched a mixed-media mural project that engaged 40 volunteers, and developed step-by-step design modules that cut project time by 30% while improving student confidence in critique sessions.
My professional experience gives me strong curriculum design and Adobe Suite skills, which I pair with two semesters of practicum teaching and a provisional teaching certificate. In my practicum I used project-based units where 85% of students reached proficiency on rubric criteria within three weeks.
I prioritize clear rubrics, restorative classroom routines, and growth-focused feedback to help students take creative risks.
I welcome the chance to bring design thinking and practical studio management to Jefferson’s art program. I’ve attached a curated portfolio and sample unit plan for your review.
What makes this effective: highlights transferable skills, quantifies impact (200 teens, 30%), and includes specific classroom outcomes (85% proficiency).
Example 3 — Experienced Professional (High School Art Department Lead)
Dear Dr.
I am applying for the High School Art Department Lead position. Over 12 years in District 7 I grew the elective art program from 120 to 220 students, secured $12,000 in grant funding for ceramic equipment, and increased gallery show attendance by 60% through targeted community outreach.
I supervised three full-time teachers, coordinated AP Art portfolios that averaged a 3. 6 score, and aligned our curriculum with state proficiency targets.
I lead data-informed instruction: I analyze assessment results each quarter, then adjust units so at-risk students improve by an average of 18 percentage points by semester’s end. I also coach early-career teachers on lesson planning and classroom management, and I manage budgets for materials and exhibitions.
I want to bring my program-building experience and grant-writing record to your district to expand visual arts access and post-secondary pathways. I look forward to discussing a strategic plan to increase participation and college-readiness in your art program.
What makes this effective: shows leadership metrics (120→220 students, $12,000 grants), assessment gains (18 points), and concrete next steps.
Writing Tips
1. Lead with a clear hook and the role name.
State the job title and one specific achievement in the first two lines to grab attention—for example, “I increased after-school art club enrollment by 40%.
2. Keep it to three short paragraphs.
Use the first for fit, the second for evidence (numbers, brief examples), and the third for next steps; this structure respects busy hiring teams.
3. Quantify impact whenever possible.
Include class sizes, percentages, grant totals, or number of students to show scale (e. g.
, “secured $5,000 in materials funding”).
4. Mirror language from the job posting.
If the ad asks for inquiry-based lessons, use that term and give a one-sentence example to pass automated screening.
5. Use active verbs and concrete nouns.
Say “designed a 10-week mixed-media unit” rather than vague phrases like “responsible for curriculum.
6. Show, don’t list credentials.
Link to a portfolio or mention a sample lesson and a measurable result instead of a long credential list.
7. Address potential concerns proactively.
If you lack certification, note planned steps and substitute strengths (e. g.
, 2 semesters of practicum, ASL coursework).
8. Keep tone enthusiastic but professional.
Match the school’s culture—warmer for elementary, more formal for district leadership—and close with a polite call to action.
9. Proofread aloud and cut filler.
Read the letter in 60 seconds; aim for 250–400 words and remove repeated ideas.
Actionable takeaway: Draft three-paragraph letters, include 1–2 numbers, and attach a portfolio link.
Customization Guide: Industry, Company Size, and Job Level
Strategy 1 — Tailor content to industry context
- •Tech (e.g., corporate creative programs): Emphasize digital media, workflow tools (Adobe, Blender), and metrics like project delivery times or student completion rates. Example: “Led a 6-week digital illustration course; 92% of participants completed a portfolio piece.”
- •Finance (e.g., corporate workshops): Focus on professionalism, clear outcomes, and measurable ROI—cite attendance numbers, satisfaction scores, or repeat bookings. Example: “Ran eight employee sketch sessions with an average satisfaction score of 4.7/5.”
- •Healthcare (e.g., hospital art therapy programs): Highlight training in trauma-informed practice, HIPAA awareness, and measurable patient outcomes like reduced anxiety scores or program reach (e.g., 150 patients served).
Strategy 2 — Adjust for company size
- •Startups: Show flexibility, willingness to wear multiple hats, and rapid prototyping of lessons. Mention examples like building a new curriculum in 4 weeks or running pop-up classes for 50 people.
- •Large organizations/corporations: Emphasize process, scalability, and compliance. Cite examples of managing budgets ($X), supervising staff (number of instructors), or aligning to district/state standards.
Strategy 3 — Match job level
- •Entry-level: Lead with practicum outcomes, classroom management strategies for specified class sizes, and portfolio links. Use concrete early wins (e.g., “improved project completion from 60% to 85% over 4 weeks”).
- •Senior roles: Stress leadership metrics—program growth, budgets, grant amounts, teacher coaching numbers—and strategic plans you led.
Strategy 4 — Four concrete customization steps
1. Pull three keywords from the job posting and use them in your opening statement.
2. Replace one generic achievement with a role-aligned metric (grant totals for senior roles, completion rates for entry-level).
3. Swap the sample lesson in your portfolio to match the employer’s focus (digital media for tech, therapeutic projects for healthcare).
4. Close with a specific next step tied to the employer (offer to present a 20-minute demo lesson or share a tailored unit plan).
Actionable takeaway: For each application, edit one paragraph to include industry-specific outcomes, one metric, and one job-level leadership cue before sending.