20 Artists Writing Prompts For Kids and Teens

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If you are studying artists and want to blend in language arts activities, these artists writing prompts for kids and teens are the perfect way to hurdle the blank page and get creative ideas started quickly.

Whether you’re teaching elementary students, middle school creatives, or high school students, these artist-themed creative writing prompts are a fun way to build creative writing skills while exploring art and imagination. These simple prompts are perfect for reluctant writers, aspiring authors, or any student facing a blank page and a little bit of writer’s block.

When I was in high school, I had an English teacher named Mrs. King. She had studied in Italy and loved to integrate the Renaissance artists into her 10th grade English class. I’ll never forget reading Dante’s Inferno and then being assigned to do an assignment making our own levels of hell! Or studying Michele Angelo while a large print of the Sistine Chapel was pinned to the classroom ceiling.

We didn’t paint any pictures in her class…or carve any statues, but we did write about artists and the ideas in their work. She was able to bridge the gap between the abstract and reality.

If you are looking for inspiration for your students, these printable writing prompts about artists are great for journal writing, descriptive writing, or even launching a short story or acrostic poem. You can use them in your weekly newsletter, morning journal entry, or as a creative thinking warm-up to begin your writing process. Plus, they tie in nicely with social studies, language skills, and even art history—making them a good idea for cross-curricular activities.

20 Artist Writing Prompts for Kids and Teens

1. If you could meet any famous person from art history, who would it be and what would you ask them?
2. Imagine you’re a professional artist. What kind of art would you create and why?
3. Write a letter to a famous artist telling them what your favorite thing about their work is.
4. Use a time machine to visit an artist during the Renaissance. What do you see, do, and learn?
5. Write a short story about a painting that comes to life one night while you’re in a museum.
6. Create a list of things you’d put in your dream art studio. Describe each one using descriptive writing.
7. Pretend you’re a mad scientist who paints using wild inventions. What happens when one goes wrong?
8. Write a journal entry from the perspective of Frida Kahlo or another artist you admire.
9. Draw your favorite animal and then write a story starter that explains how it became famous through art.
10. Describe your favorite place in the world and turn it into a painting with words.
11. Imagine you have a magic wand that turns anything you draw into a real object. What do you create first?
12. Write a story in the first person as if you are a piece of art hanging in a gallery.
13. Create your own fictional story about a new planet where everyone is an artist.
14. Think of a favorite character from a book, movie, or TV show and imagine what kind of art they would make.
15. Write about the best gift you could give a famous artist from history. What would it mean to them?
16. Describe your favorite season through an artist’s eyes. How would they paint it?
17. Use art to explain the most important thing in your life. How would you show it without words?
18. Imagine your favorite video game was turned into a painting. What would it look like?
19. Write a persuasive essay convincing someone that art is the best way to make the world a better place.
20. Design a new Thanksgiving tradition that combines art, storytelling, and family time.

These prompts encourage critical thinking, personal reflection, and creative prompts that help students practice writing letters, create their own stories, and dive into everyday life with an artistic twist. Whether you’re looking for spring writing prompts, summer writing prompts, or just an important skill to practice throughout the school year, this list is a personal favorite of many teachers.

Even younger kids and young readers can enjoy adapting these ideas to draw or tell stories aloud, while older students can deepen their thinking by connecting art to their favorite memory, favorite holiday, or even future self.

Don’t forget: sometimes the best way to beat writer’s block is just to start with a favorite color, a deep breath, and one of these fun writing prompts.

Great Artists Books for Kids

How Artist Writing Prompts Help Improve Social Skills

Artist-themed writing prompts aren’t just for developing creative writing skills—they’re also a fun way to help kids and teens grow socially and emotionally.

When students write about artists, imagine famous people, or tell stories from the perspective of a main character, they’re engaging in critical thinking and learning to see the world through someone else’s eyes. This kind of descriptive writing builds empathy, an important skill for strong social skills and real-life relationships.

When I was in 10th grade, I was very introverted and socially awkward. But Mrs. King’s fun activities helped me bridge between an academic subject and the connection to real life. She made it fun to talk about art. I still talk about her class 30 year later and see art differently because of her.

Here are some ways that writing about artists can also be used to develop social skills:

• Perspective-Taking: Pretending to be a famous artist, magical creature, or even a wild animal encourages kids to think about how others feel and react—a key step in building emotional intelligence.
• Story Sharing: Whether writing about a favorite memory, a good friend, or a family member, kids learn to communicate their ideas, emotions, and values through storytelling—helping them connect more easily with others.
• Role-Playing: When kids imagine life as a movie star, pirate ship captain, or older student in an art-based world, they’re rehearsing real-life interactions in a playful, low-pressure environment.
• Conversation Starters: Using fun writing prompts or sharing a journal entry about a favorite character gives kids and teens easy ways to start conversations with peers—perfect for building friendships and community.
• Making the World a Better Place: When students write about art that changes the world, or imagine a better place through creativity, it helps them understand how their words and actions impact others in everyday life.

Encouraging own stories rooted in art and imagination is one of the best ways to connect students to each other, spark dialogue, and grow into confident communicators—whether through a journal cover, social media, or the writing process itself.

Connecting Artists to Real Life

When teaching kids and teens about artists, one of the biggest benefits is the opportunity to teach a growth mindset. Many many artists were considered ordinary or went unrecognized for most of their lives. But if they had not continued to pursue their craft, the masterpieces we have today would not have been accomplished.

Painting…carving…creating music….all of these are perfected through endless repetitions of failure. No great artist becomes one without pushing through failure. Encouraging students to talk and write about topics that explore the lives and work of artists is a great way to help them in their own lives as they too must become comfortable with endless repetitions of failure on their way to success!

Happy writing!