40 Most Asked Art Teacher Interview Questions with Answers

Here are the top 10 most asked art teacher interview questions, along with suggested answers that will help prepare for your interview. Every job is important, which means that every job interview is important. Being prepared for an interview will give you the greatest chance for success in landing the job.

1. Tell me about your prior art experience.

Almost every job requires some kind of experience in whatever field you want to work in, and an art teacher is no exception. You will likely need experience in two different fields as well. First, you will need to demonstrate your teaching qualifications, either through formal education, a certification program, or substantial past experience. Next, you will also have to show your background in art, through both education and previous work. Be sure to describe both facets in your answer.

Answer:
I received my art degree nearly 20 years ago at an art institute, focusing on various forms of painting. I also pursued a graduate degree in secondary education, which was also focused on teaching art in a classroom setting. Before applying to your school, I have also taught art classes at the community center for the past few years.

2. What led you to want to become an art teacher?

This is a chance to let your passion for both art and teaching shine through. Schools are realistic about the budgetary concerns for the arts, but also want to be sensitive to the needs of students and requests of parents with the classes they offer. They want to ensure that every teacher is fully committed to their assigned program, and has a passion for what they do. Be ready to talk about what got you interested in art in the first place, or when you decided to become a teacher. Stories like this will show how dedicated you are to your craft and to your students.

Answer:
I picked up art as a child, and took every elective available in high school. After working as a freelance artist right after school, I was offered a scholarship to an art institute and jumped at the chance. While I was there, I had an internship at the local high school that made me passionate about teaching art to young people.

Once I finished art school, I looked into what credentials would be required to teach high schoolers, and decided to continue my education. As I’ve continued developing my own craft, I’ve tried to teach others in any way I can – I believe it’s important to train the next generation of artists.

3. Why is art important for students to learn?

The arts are an important part of a well-rounded education, and any candidate selected for this position must do their part to advocate for the program. Even beyond the success of any one class, you need to be able to prove that you are passionate about teaching art to others.

Answer:
Art is essential for creating well-rounded students. Art can help them express themselves and give them an outlet for their creativity and imagination. Traditional subjects are important as well and will serve them to prepare for college and beyond, but art exercises other aspects of their mind and allows them to see the world through a different lens.

4. How would you work with different learning levels in the classroom?

Not everyone approaches art in the same way. Some may resonate with a particular medium over others, while it can be difficult to reach some students altogether. What’s more, you will likely be required to teach classes at various grades or age levels, and younger students may have a harder time grasping some concepts than older students. These concerns can apply to any subject, which is why it is critical to talk about how you as a teacher would support all types of learners in your classroom.

Answer:
Just like no two pieces of art are the same, no two artists are the same. We all bring our own insights and emotions to our art, and I think it is important for students to learn what resonates with them. I try to work with lots of different mediums – painting, drawing, sketching, sculpting – and will incorporate these into the lesson plan to give each student something for them.

I am also available to provide extra help outside of the classroom if someone is struggling with a project or form of art. My main goal is to give every student the tools they need to express themselves through art.

5. How do you connect art to other subjects?

The reality is that “traditional” subjects like English, math, history, and sciences will get higher priority with a school’s administration because those subjects are covered in standardized tests and will link more directly to success in a college degree. Art is usually an elective and not part of the core curriculum, and is not always available in college except at specialized institutions. Showing how you can connect art to other classes and subjects shows that your teaching methods are innovative and support student learning in other areas. It also shows how you can use art to reinforce the lessons they are learning in other subjects.

Answer:
I make it a point to try to work with other teachers to determine some parts of my coursework. For example, if the English teacher has a book report due, I might assign a painting based on the book they are reading. Or, I may coordinate with the history teacher and instruct my students to create a scale diorama of the chapter they are focusing on that week. Art can stand on its own, but I do try to make connections to their other studies to reinforce what they are learning, or at least show that art can both stand on its own and support other areas of their life.

6. How would you promote interest in art classes with the student body?

Art teachers may be responsible for recruiting students for their classes, or for promoting awareness for their classes. In addition to being an artist and a teacher, you may need to wear a salesperson’s hat, and you need to be prepared to bring students in the door as well as instruct them once they are there.

Answer:
I would create interest by featuring student artwork throughout the school, as well as making class presentations when possible. I am also happy to help organize the elective fair at orientation, and can talk with students about their options when making their schedules. I can also work with the guidance counselor to try to transfer students to an art class if they are struggling with their other courses, if that is an option.

7. Why do you want this position?

This is the most important question in any interview. This is where you will need to be honest, direct, and paint yourself in the best possible light. Talk about your passion for art and teaching, and prove to the interviewer that you are the best candidate out there.

Answer:
I have focused my education in art, and my career in teaching others how to create and appreciate their own art. I believe that giving others the means to express themselves is essential, and I would love to inspire others to create art of their own – maybe even to pursue an art career someday. Even if I can simply show students that there is more to their school experience than math tests and term papers, that may help them out in ways that will pay dividends down the road.

8. Why do you want to work at this school and not elsewhere?

Some schools may have a strong reputation for their arts program, and will want to attract the best talent. They may also want to ensure that their teachers will remain loyal over time. How you answer this question is different than talking about why you are the best fit for them. Rather, this question is about why they are a good fit for you.

Answer:
I have taught at other schools before, but have always admired the arts program at this school. Other artists in our community whom I admire have come from this school, and I would be honored to be part of continuing that legacy in our area. I would love the opportunity to work with the artists of tomorrow and help them hone their craft.

9. How comfortable are you using technology in the classroom?

Technology is becoming more prevalent in all subject areas, and art is no exception. Most graphic artists use technology every day, so you need to be comfortable using it in your classroom in the right ways.

Answer:
Technology is an important tool for artists, and I would make sure that my students are able to use all the tools at their disposal. Teaching the fundamentals of art through practical work is vital, and that would be the cornerstone of my work, but I would be sure to provide ample curriculum in graphic design and other forms of technology. I have even tried to incorporate student input into what art forms they want to study, and I have gotten great feedback and experience from working with technology.

10. Describe how you would display student artwork around the school.

Displaying student artwork around the school can be a great recruitment tool, or simply a powerful way to take pride in what your students have accomplished. There are lots of ways to do this, and the administrators may want to see your own imagination as well. Be creative here!

Answer:
I would certainly fill up the bulletin boards inside and outside my classroom, but I would love to do something along the lines of an arts festival week sometime in the year. I would have student artwork in every classroom, and even have some students working on their art during the day as a class project. They could paint or sculpt in the halls or in the courtyard, then demonstrate their work at a school assembly.

Next 30 Most Asked Art Teacher Interview Questions

• Tell us about yourself.
• What is your classroom management style?
• How do you accommodate students with special needs?
• How have you worked to improve your current art program?
• How do you work and collaborate with others?
• How do you approach communicating with parents?
• Why are you the best candidate for this position?
• What would a typical art lesson look like in your classroom?
• What is your teaching method/philosophy?
• How would you deal with a disruptive student?
• What do you expect from a principal or administrator?
• What do you consider to be the toughest aspect of teaching?
• Tell me about a conflict you’ve had with a colleague in the past.
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• How do you plan to include parents in your lesson and project planning?
• What has your art education been like?
• What is your greatest strength?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• How do you feel about diversity in a school setting?
• How would you work with a student that is falling behind?
• Describe a time you have collaborated with another teacher.
• Talk about a time when one of your lessons did not go as planned, and how you reacted.
• How would you deal with an upset or demanding parent?
• Do you have a medium or style of art you are most comfortable with?
• What makes a successful and effective lesson?
• Describe a time when you made a positive impact on a student’s life.
• What makes a good teacher?
• What strategies would you use to engage every student?
• How do you feel about teaching multiple classes at the same time (for example, Art I and Art II)?
• How have you worked with a small art budget before?

10 Best Questions to Ask in an Art Teacher Interview

You should come prepared with questions to ask the interviewer. There may be additional questions that you think of during your interview as well. After the interviewer finishes asking questions, they should ask you if you have questions. If they don’t, speak up and ask if there is time for you to ask questions. This shows that you are confident and interested in the job.

• Are there opportunities to become involved in extracurricular activities?
• Is there any travel associated with this position?
• What duties outside the classroom will I be responsible for?
• Are there any committees I can or should be plugged into?
• What art resources and/or budget are available to me?
• What technology resources are available in the art room?
• How many courses would I teach?
• What do you want to see integrated into the art program at this school?
• What other elective options are currently offered?
• What are your enrollment goals for the art program?

Being an art teacher can be challenging, but immensely rewarding. If you feel like you are called to teach art, preparing for questions like these can help get you in the classroom and working with students in no time!