Sample Artist Cover Letter

Paint a picture of your qualifications for the picture-perfect job.

By Kathleen Walder, Monster Contributor

As an artist, you communicate your thoughts and ideas visually. When you write your artist cover letter, you need to communicate to an employer with words that paint a picture showing that you’re a perfect fit for the job opening. Skillfully mix your skills and experience and paint them into a pleasing and easy-to-read template to engage a hiring manager or recruiter and inspire them to invite you to interview.

Your cover letter can follow an effective formula. Make the most impact with your experience by touching on your most important experience and achievements. Quantify those achievements with the results, using numbers when possible. For example, the percentage of forensic sketches that were admitted for evidence or the net sales from your gallery opening. If you’ve attended a well-known college or art school, be sure to include that. If you received commendations, verbal or in writing, quote a snippet from those.

If you’re responding to a job posting, refer to the source and then link your experience to the responsibilities listed in the posting. Research the company so you know their mission or focus and refer to that as well if it’s a good fit with your values and career goals.

Artist Cover Letter

Trevor Carmello

Rochester, NY 55555 | 555-555-5555 | trevor.carmello@email.com | www.carmello.com/portfolio

Month XX, 20XX

Ms. Lori Walsh
HR Manager
Company One
55 Main St.
Rochester, NY 55555

Re: Forensic Artist Position

Dear Ms. Walsh:

It is no secret that some consider forensic sketch art outdated. The advances in computer-aided design tools used to create realistic digital composite drawings have replaced hand sketches. While I embrace technology, I also believe that hand-drawn sketches can be just as effective in capturing the nuances of facial characteristics.

The forensic artist job at Company One marries old-school drawing with modern technology, and I am very interested in joining your team.

As part of my associate degree in fine art program that I completed last year, I worked as a police composite artist apprentice for Police Department One in Ithaca, NY. In this role, I sketched accurate facial likenesses and created digital-age progressions using Photoshop to help find missing persons and identify criminal suspects.

Throughout the apprenticeship, department officers commended me for my ability to build rapport with witnesses, crime victims, family members, and law enforcement officers to help solve active and cold cases. I developed skills in forensic-imaging techniques, portraiture, and facial-change characteristics.

Company One’s mission to rescue and recover missing and exploited children is one that I share, and I believe I can make significant contributions as a member of your team. You can reach me at 555-555-5555 or email trevor.carmello@email.com. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Trevor Carmello

Enclosure: Portfolio

 

Get more tips for writing your cover letter from the Monster library. Once you’re satisfied with your cover letter, you can move on to your resume with this sample artist resume to help you get started.

According to Monster’s research, the median income for an artist/illustrator is $21.23 an hour. The typical artist’s pay range is from $14.82 to $33.79 an hour. To find out what artists are paid in your area, use Monster’s Salary Tool.

Some areas of the country have a higher demand for artists than others. The top five artist job locations are:

You can also search all artist jobs on Monster to see a collage of opportunities.

Picture Your Perfect Cover Letter

Leave the artist cover letter writing to Monster by using Monster Resume Services to craft an effective letter for your application package. Our professional cover letter writers are familiar with a gamut of industries, including art. Just submit your resume or a first draft, and you’ll receive an expertly written cover letter that showcases your abilities and your passion for your work.