When things go wrong in the art room, it can go very wrong. A paint spill can turn into a hundred little prints of 1st-graders’ feet. “Cleverly” warmed linoleum in the kiln can burn beyond repair. Art room fails? We have all been there. While we can laugh at them now, let’s look at common issues in the art room with some handy preventative solutions.
Uncover solutions to classic art room fails—before they ruin your day.
Art Room Fail: Lessons That Don’t Land
Planning lessons is a lot of work! From inspiration and curriculum mapping to typing everything up and prepping supplemental resources and art supplies, you put a lot of thought and care into every component. This is why it can be incredibly frustrating when a lesson you poured yourself into doesn’t land the way you anticipated.
This happens to every single art teacher—even the most seasoned! This doesn’t mean you’re not qualified, so don’t let imposter syndrome bring you down. Being a good teacher means you’re an avid student who constantly reflects and refines. Your lesson isn’t an art room fail—it’s an opportunity to hone your curriculum and instruction skills!
Pivot with these easy fixes:
- Try it with another class or grade level to see what consistently works and what doesn’t.
- Ask students for feedback on where they got confused and what would make it more exciting.
- Break the lesson into more manageable steps over a period of days.
- Prepare concrete choices and supports in advance for students who feel overwhelmed.
- Revisit “old” content before you teach it so you can update it with your freshest discoveries!
Art Room Fail: Paint Spills
The class walks in through the door as you bring out the last container of paint. You get distracted, and… splat! It crashes to the floor, covering your shoes in magenta paint. The paint also lands on the nearest student’s trendy sweatpants and the wall. Does this scenario sound familiar?
We have all been there. While we can’t prevent every future paint, ink, or glue spill, we can control the frequency of these “oops” moments and be ready for quick, seamless cleanup!
Prepare with these easy fixes:
- Fill condiment bottles with paint ahead of time.
- Assemble a “clog-buster” kit in a waterproof pouch, including various pointed tools, to keep your equipment clear and ready.
- Collect donations of old towels and rags.
- Keep a spray bottle of stain remover on hand.
- Post a stain remover checklist with steps like blotting with a clean cloth to lift the paint, then rinsing from the back with cold water.
Art Room Fail: Art Show Mistakes
The art show was a raging success! You met parents and community members, and your students were beaming from ear to ear. You left the night happy, but the next morning, you get an email that unravels you—a family is upset that you misspelled their child’s name on their artwork. You feel devastated that a simple error detracted from this family’s experience with your program.
First, remind yourself that mistakes happen—even to the very best of us! This does not take away from all the hours you put into making a spectacular show. In this situation, lean in, apologize, learn from it for next year’s show, and then let it go.
Plan ahead with these easy fixes:
- Import student names directly from your attendance roster to your label sheets.
- Ask for an extra pair of eyes to look over the lists of artists’ first and last names.
- Request any name changes and corrections when sharing the tentative art show participant list with families at Back to School Night.
- Print and adhere labels after every unit or project.
Art Room Fails: “I’m done!”
Your room is buzzing: some students are milling around because they’re finished, while others are still focused on their projects. You’re scrambling trying to manage behavior and help students with their work. It’s pure chaos!
While the art room should have lots of energy, it doesn’t have to be a headache. Plan for the “I’m done!” moments with established early finisher routines and habits for both elementary and secondary artists to keep everyone and everything calm.
Practice artmaking to the last bell with these easy fixes:
- Provide How-to-Draw books and packets.
- Host a weekly or monthly ongoing drawing competition.
- Curate an early finisher gallery space.
- Incorporate Visual Journaling or Drawing Prompts.
- Post a classroom “Help Wanted” board where students can earn recognition, stickers, or small rewards.
When things go wrong in the art room—and they will—it doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re in it. Every art lesson mishap, paint spill, or mislabeled artwork is part of the learning curve we all share. The good news? Most of these “fails” aren’t random. They are predictable and preventable, which means they’re fixable. With a little planning and a few solid routines and systems you can rely on, you can move from frustration and chaos to a reflective, streamlined state!
What’s one hilarious art room fail from your past?
How have you turned your biggest “art room fail” into a win?
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Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.
