Letters of Recommendation

[kyarnold]

Hello!

Looking for advice on getting letters of recommendation when you have few contacts in the art world.

I'm considering applying for an MFA in painting for programs beginning in Fall 2019. My problem is that I don't have great contacts for my letters of recommendation. As an undergraduate, I double majored, worked full time, did weekly volunteer work, and had a weekly internship so I never really had the time to develop deep relationships with my art professors. My mentor for the volunteer work (teaching art in local schools) can write me a great recommendation letter as we worked together for 3 years, but my internship supervisors and other art professors each only worked with me for a semester and I don't think they remember me. I graduated a few years ago and moved to Japan to work as an English teacher immediately after graduation. Due to language barriers, I haven't gotten many good contacts in the art world in Japan. My superiors at my current job would happily write glowing recommendation letters about my work ethic and ability to teach English, but that has nothing to do with art. 

Does anyone have any advice for what to do in this situation? Should I reach out to my old undergraduate professors/supervisors even though we didn't work together for long? Should I ask my superiors at my current job to write my letters? 

Thanks for any advice!

[IrisR]

You do not need strictly art related recommendation letters.