Artist Cover Letter Examples - Templates & Writing Tips

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Table of contents

Artist Cover Letter Example
Related Cover Letter Examples
Cover Letter Template for an Artist
Format Your Artist Cover Letter
How to Write a Cover Letter for an Artist
Add a Matching Resume
Key Takeaways
Resources to Help With Your Job Search

As an artist, your creative skills allow you to bring your vision to life. No matter your medium, landing an artist role means communicating that vision with employers and showing them how you take an idea from conception to execution. Your resume is the foundation of your application, but a persuasive cover letter is also a must to express what you bring to the table. Our guide will help make it happen!

Our guide includes:

An artistic cover letter example to inspire your writing process.
A template for an artist cover letter that you can copy, paste and edit to fit your career perfectly.
Recruiter-approved tips to help your letter succeed.

Hoping to get your cover letter done quickly? Let our Cover Letter Generator jump-start your writing process with automatic formatting, neat templates that match your resume and generated text based on your input.

Artist Cover Letter Example

Sample artist cover letter

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What makes this a great sample cover letter for an artist?

Unique style
This artistic cover letter uses a neat and professional style that highlights the candidate’s creative judgment without becoming overly complicated or distracting.
Active words
Action-oriented language helps this letter shine by portraying the candidate as an energetic and motivated worker.
Measurable outcomes
An artist’s work might not be as focused on numbers and results as someone in a more data-focused position, but focusing on how you bring your projects from conception to conclusion and achieve important results will help your letter shine.

Cover Letter Template for an Artist

Need a canvas to create your cover letter? Use this sample artist letter as a template. Copy, paste and edit its content to meet your needs.

Robert Lieu
Fresno, CA 93706
555-555-5555
example@example.com

March 3, 2024

Maria Berg, Hiring Manager
ZiMad
7850 Vine Road
Fresno, CA 93706

Dear Ms. Berg,

I am writing to express my enthusiasm for the visual artist position at ZiMad, as advertised. With a strong background in vibrant, abstract acrylic painting and a proven track record of successfully leading creative projects, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and innovative techniques to your dynamic team.

As a freelance artist, I have completed over 30 commissioned artworks, resulting in a 40% increase in client referrals. My collaboration with local businesses on mural projects has not only enhanced their visual appeal but also contributed to a 20% increase in foot traffic, showcasing my ability to merge art with community engagement.

In my current role as art director at Artistry Studio, I led a team of five artists in the “Urban Visions” mural project, which resulted in a 25% increase in social media engagement. I introduced a new collaborative sketching technique that improved project efficiency by 15%, demonstrating my commitment to fostering creativity while ensuring timely delivery. These experiences have honed my leadership skills and strengthened my capability to drive artistic innovation.
I hold a Master of Fine Arts in Contemporary Art from Fresno State, where my thesis focused on “Breaking Boundaries: The Intersection of Traditional Techniques and Digital Innovation in Modern Art.” This academic background, combined with my professional experience, equips me with a unique perspective on blending traditional and modern artistic methodologies.

I am excited about the possibility of bringing my diverse skill set and passion for art to ZiMad. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience and vision can align with your team’s creative goals.

Sincerely,

Robert Lieu

Format Your Artist Cover Letter

The purpose of your cover letter is to expand on your resume and communicate how your unique set of skills makes you the right candidate for the job. Showcase your creativity and style with a properly formatted cover letter that grabs attention and demonstrates that you know how to present a polished final product.

Formatting tips to help you build a polished cover letter:

Font style and size: As an artist, you might feel drawn to more creative fonts, but trust us — this isn’t the place to experiment. Your font should be simple and readable. Stick with standard choices like Times New Roman or Arial and make sure it’s readable at 10 or 12 points in size.
Spacing: Consistent line spacing between 1.15 and 1.5 will also help the employer read your letter easily.
Margins and alignment: Left-aligned text with 1-inch margins all around will create a consistent and polished overall appearance. Details like this might seem insignificant, but nailing the cover letter basics is what makes your letter look professional.

Selecting an artistic cover letter template

Create your cover letter

Your cover letter should captivate the reader from the very first sentence, much like your artwork does. The best cover letter templates are simple. It’s okay to want to showcase a little creativity in your letter, but try to keep the focus on your work. Your portfolio can be as experimental and unique as you like, but your cover letter should be readable above all else.

Explore a range of cover letter templates to find the one you like best. Don’t forget to choose a template that matches your resume template for a cohesive final package.

How to Write a Cover Letter for an Artist

Art is all about making an impact. If your career story is a book, your cover letter is the eye-catching illustrated jacket that draws the reader in and gives them a quick summary of what to expect. Let’s go over how to write a cover letter that puts your creative potential into words.

Step 1

Tailor your cover letter for the specific artist position

Start by customizing your letter to the role. Whether it’s a gallery, a company or an exhibition, demonstrating how well you fit their needs and understand their audience and values will help set you apart from the competition.

Moreover, many roles use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter out unqualified candidates. Reading the job listing carefully will prepare you to sail past ATS by giving you the keywords you need to incorporate into your letter to help it succeed.

Step 2

Include your contact information in the header

It’s crucial that the header of your cover letter includes your contact details so employers can easily reach you. Be sure to include your:

Name.
City and state.
Phone number.
Email address.

Pro tip

Important links can also fit under your header, like a digital portfolio or a LinkedIn profile. If you have more than a few links to share, you might want to give them their own dedicated section instead.

Step 3

Address the hiring manager by name

Address your letter directly to the person it’s intended for. This may be an art curator, gallery owner or just a hiring manager. Research the role to figure out exactly who to address. This gives your letter a personal touch and shows you’ve looked into the role.

Of course, if this information isn’t available, “Dear Hiring Manager” works too.

Step 4

Introduce yourself in the first paragraph

Your letter should start with a catchy opening that introduces the reader to who you are as an artist and why you’re applying for the role. In just a few sentences, touch on what makes you the right fit for the position, but don’t get bogged down with details. You can flesh out your achievements later.

Example opening paragraph for a debuting artist

I’m thrilled to apply for the artist residency at [organization name]. My passion for sculpture and my dedication to exploring new creative horizons align perfectly with your program’s goals. I look forward to the opportunity to share my artistic vision and contribute to your community.

Example opening paragraph for an established artist:

I am eager to express my interest in the artist position at [organization or gallery name]. With over 13 years of experience in mixed media visual art and exhibitions across the East Coast, I am confident that my creative process and dedication to innovative expression will be a perfect fit for your gallery.

Pro tip

Keep it short. Your intro shouldn’t be an essay. Frontloading too much information will only lose the reader’s attention. Three sentences should be more than enough to quickly touch on the important points of your artistic career.

Step 5

Explain why you’re the best candidate for the role

In the body paragraphs, you now have the opportunity to dig deeper into the details of what makes you shine as an artist and a candidate for the role. Unlike your intro, your body paragraphs should be specific and detailed, with numerical data and measurable outcomes that highlight your artistic abilities and technical skills.

Focus on:

Artistic achievements: Share experiences from your artistic journey, such as exhibitions, commissions or collaborations that have shaped your career. Name specific notable accomplishments and be sure to link to a portfolio with examples of the works that you reference.
Artistic style and process: Emphasize your creative process, materials and artistic vision. How does your work communicate with the audience? What themes or messages drive your creativity? What skills, techniques or training does your work showcase? Use numbers to demonstrate the success of your past projects where possible.
Unique experiences: Highlight past opportunities that have shaped your career and that demonstrate your ability to deliver results and bring your vision to life.

Example body paragraphs for an artist cover letter:

During my time at [organization name], I had the honor of exhibiting my work at [exhibition or gallery name], where my collection explored themes of identity and memory through mixed media. The exhibition received positive reviews, and I was later invited to collaborate with [collaborator’s name] on a mural project that reflected the diversity of the local community.

In my current work, I focus on eco-friendly materials, combining nature and art to create immersive installations. My recent series, “[Series Title],” was featured in [publication name], showcasing my innovative use of recycled materials.

Step 6

Write your cover letter closing

End your cover letter with a closing paragraph that:

Reiterates your enthusiasm for the position.
Highlights your potential to contribute to the goals of the project or organization.
Invites further conversation in an interview.
Thanks the reader for considering your application.

Example closing paragraph for an artist cover letter:

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my artistic vision and passion for creative expression to [organization or gallery name]. I am confident that my work and dedication to exploring new artistic techniques will contribute to your creative goals. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to discussing how my art can align with your organization’s vision.

Step 7

Sign off appropriately

End your cover letter with a professional signoff such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your name.

Add a Matching Resume

Create your resume

An effective cover letter builds on top of the foundation of a strong resume. If you don’t have an up-to-date resume, now is the time to make a resume that captures attention. If the vision for your resume isn’t coming together, try checking out some resume examples from your fellow artists. Pay attention to how they communicate their experience to stand out.

Want a resume fast? Try our Resume Builder for generated text specific to your career, automatic formatting and templates to match your cover letter.

Key Takeaways

Explore artist cover letter examples
Check out some artist cover letter examples to see how other working professionals in your industry communicate with galleries and organizations.
Highlight essential skills for an artist role
Focus on important skills ranging from soft skills like imagination and resilience to hard skills like techniques and training.
Choose an appropriate cover letter template
Pick a template that shows your achievements in a form that’s easy to read, engaging and simple. Use creative elements judiciously to keep your template easily scannable.
Keep your introductory paragraph short and sweet
Begin your cover letter with a short introduction to your artistic career. Touch on your talents and achievements, but save the details for later.
Compose detailed body paragraphs
Explore the specifics of your experience including measurable outcomes and technical abilities.
Ensure appropriate formatting
Ensure your cover letter shines by adhering to formatting guidelines and double-checking for distracting errors or typos.