Cover Letter for an Art Internship

Showing her how it's done
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By
Penny Loretto
Penny Loretto

Penny Loretto is the Associate Director in the Career Development Center at a Skidmore College, a small liberal arts college. She has her own career counseling practice, Career Choice, where she works with adults in career transition. She conducts career planning workshops including researching career options, job search strategies, and resume development.

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Updated on 05/05/19

Breaking into the art industry can be difficult, but a good cover letter can help you land a coveted internship in the field. Art internships tend to be especially competitive, so mastering the cover letter is just as important as mastering your resume or portfolio. It can help you stand out from the competition and establish you as a serious professional. With these tips and sample cover letter, wow your potential employer.

Make Your Cover Letter Specific

Take the time to tailor your internship cover letter to meet a specific job description rather than using one template for every application. While specificity takes longer, you're more likely to impress hiring managers with a customized version. It shows you have a strong attention to detail and work ethic. 

Be sure to include highlights of your skills and experience. For instance, if you are proficient with graphic design software, that's important to include. If you have any pieces published, such as a photo you took, that's a terrific achievement and definitely one to include in your cover letter. 

Above all, you want to show the employer what you would bring to the role as an intern. Showcase your skills, passion, and dedication to the field to give yourself the best chance to win an internship. 

Sample Art Internship Cover Letter

This is an example of a cover letter for an art internship. Download the art internship cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Screenshot of a cover letter for an art internship
©TheBalance 2018

Sample Art Internship Cover Letter (Text Version)

Samantha R. Gray
54 East Connecticut Avenue
Ocean City, NJ, 08226
sgray@ocean.edu
555-555-5555

September 1, 2018

Ms. Cindy Smith
Director of Arts Education
Children’s Museum of the Arts
2002 Lafayette Street
New York, NY, 20202

Dear Ms. Smith,

It is with great interest and enthusiasm that I am applying for the arts education internship advertised in Sunday’s New York Times. This position is exactly what I am looking for and an ideal opportunity for me to use my knowledge, educational background, and experience.

My arts education at Pratt Institute has helped me develop a firm foundation in the arts. The courses I have completed at Pratt, along with my study abroad curriculum in Paris, have prepared me well for a position in arts education. I have always had a passion for the arts, but my undergraduate education has taken my interest to a whole new level. I not only enjoy creating art but am even more enthusiastic when I have the opportunity to teach what I have learned.

For the past two summers, I have worked directly with children at CityArts and the Guggenheim. These experiences were amazing, as my responsibilities included directing major projects planned for the annual summer programming for local children interested in the arts. I was given a concept at the beginning of each summer, and I had complete control of how the projects were to be completed. The children were the creative force and often were the inspiration for the artwork ultimately presented to the public.

I am very excited about the summer opportunity with the Children’s Museum of the Arts since I know that I can definitely make a positive contribution while doing what I love, teaching art to children. I will contact you in one week to discuss my candidacy and see if you have any questions about my education or experience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Samantha Gray

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