Visiting Assistant Professor of Photography Job at University of Arkansas System

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Closing Date:

Type of Position:

Faculty - Non-Tenure

Workstudy Position:

No

Job Type:

Academic Term (Fixed Term)

Work Shift:

Day Shift (United States of America)

Sponsorship Available:

Yes

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation's top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance Arkansas and build a better world through education, research and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, promoting an inclusive and diverse culture and climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation's strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

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Department:

School of Art Studio Art

Department's Website:

https://art.uark.edu/

Summary of Job Duties:

The School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for a non-tenure track up to three-year position as Visiting Assistant Professor of Art (Photography) to start in August 2025. For a three-year merit based renewable appointment position to be considered, the candidate should provide at least three years of evaluations as instructor of record illustrating high quality teaching effectiveness. This is a 9-month standard faculty appointment with a 40% teaching, 40% research / creative activity, and 20% service expectation. Specific duties will include 2/2 Load, teaching two courses per semester (Fall and Spring) in Studio Art; Creative Activities Maintaining an active program of research; Performing graduate and undergraduate student mentoring and advising, including participation in BFA and MFA reviews, MFA thesis committees, and studio visits; Some collaborative oversight and operation of the Photography area including but not limited to assistance in maintaining facilities/equipment, overseeing a safe working environment, curriculum development contributions, and graduate student supervision; Contributions in planning and implementing of new undergraduate and graduate courses; Participating in Program and School level committee work; Present and active member of the program, School of Art, and university community. Ideal applicants should have a strong commitment to an expanded definition of photography and its use as a means for research, technology, and interdisciplinary approaches to art making.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively to assist in the oversight of the photography area while contributing to the strength and energy of the School of Art as a whole. Applicants should possess knowledge of a wide variety of multidisciplinary art-making strategies centering on or intersecting with photography. Alongside a strong skillset in the history & practice of photography, the ideal candidate will offer research interests in photographic futures, new technology, and an expanded photographic practice. This may include (but is not limited to) experience with video, sound, experimental lens-based practices, and/or installation. A foundation in photography alongside a demonstrated dedication to expanding the technical and conceptual direction of the discipline is preferred. The successful candidate will show evidence of a strong commitment to teaching and mentorship.

The School of Art at the University of Arkansas highly values and promotes belonging in creating, studying, and teaching. We intend to foster an innovative and positive environment for teaching, mentoring, research, and service for all. The School of Art is especially interested in applicants whose work aims to broaden the canon, demonstrates a commitment to mentoring students from all backgrounds, creates the conditions for classroom experiences that are marked by empathy and mutual respect, and fosters collaboration, community, and open dialogue. We seek faculty committed to working and creating in ways that foster encouraging and supportive learning experiences that expand the School of Art's current efforts to engage the campus and community in dialogue.

The program celebrates an interest in fostering interdisciplinary cross-campus relationships and engagement with a vibrant local and regional art community. Beyond the primary role in Photography, the position may also contribute to teaching and service within the School of Art's Foundations program, which serves a broader student population pursuing degrees in Studio Art, Graphic Design, and Art Education.

Our hope is to draw applicants at any career level post-MFA-emerging, mid-career, or established artists and educators-who are active in the field and ready to contribute their unique insights to our learning environment.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Job Duties will include:

40% - Teaching

40% - Research

20% - Service

About the Photography Area:

Photography at the University of Arkansas School of Art combines practice in traditional & contemporary photographic processes with conceptual development, inspiring students to become innovative & critically engaged artists. The photography program offers a robust and supportive community where artists define their practice, deepen their understanding of visual literacy and create innovative imagery. The area provides training in a variety of traditional & contemporary techniques, equipping students with a critical understanding of the medium and its applications in research and artmaking. Experimentation, interdisciplinary practice and conceptual development are fostered, preparing students to become engaged practitioners.

About the School of Art:

In 2017, the University of Arkansas was awarded a $120 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation to establish a School of Art in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. The gift created the first and only school of art in the state of Arkansas, and is helping to advance art education, design, art history and studio art in the state while providing unparalleled access and opportunity to students. In addition, in 2017, the School of Art also received a $40 million gift from the Windgate Foundation to develop and build a new Studio Art and Graphic Design facility. Most recently, in 2021, the Windgate Foundation gave a $30 million partial challenge grant to develop and build a facility to house a professional gallery, auditorium, the foundations program, as well as idea fabrication and arts entrepreneurship labs. The mission of the School of Art is to develop one of the highest quality educational, research and service programs in the visual arts available nationally. The School of Art is a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and includes 54 faculty, 8 staff members, and more than 500 students. There are currently 8 degree options: BFA in Art Education, BFA in Graphic Design, BFA in Studio Art, BA in Art History, BA in Studio Art, MA in Art Education, MFA in Studio Art, and MDES in Communication Design. The MA degree in Art History of the Americas launched this Fall 2023.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

With submitted materials, the candidate must demonstrate

* Master of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Studio Art, Photography, or equivalent terminal degree conferred by the start of employment

* A research record and portfolio of work that demonstrates either promise, active practice, or sustained practice in the field of photography

* At least one year of teaching experience and demonstrated classroom competency with a commitment to exceptional teaching and mentoring for all

Preferred Qualifications:

* Strong evidence of an active creative studio research practice and exhibition record

* Experience in interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and cross-campus collaborations

* Demonstrated experience and/or research in photographic futures, new technology, and an expanded photographic practice. This may include experience with video, sound, experimental materiality, analog photography, alternative photographic processes and/or installation

* Demonstrated ability to teach photography at the intermediate, advanced, and/or graduate level

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

* Proficient knowledge of analog and digital photography

* Knowledge of the Darkroom processes

* Photographic Lighting Studio Skills

* Digital Lab operations and printing technique skills

* Ability to use Adobe software in service to artistic production.

Additional Information:

Salary Information:

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Other (see special instructions for details), Statement of Research Philosophy, Statement of Teaching Philosophy

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information:

Aaron R. Turner, Search Committee Chair, art024@uark.edu

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Completed applications received by November 26, 2024, will be assured full consideration. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.

For additional inquiries, please contact the search committee chair, Aaron R. Turner, at art024@uark.edu.

Applicants must submit:

* Cover letter

* Curriculum vitae with website URL

* Two sample syllabi of relevant courses, taught or proposed (submit as one document)

* Statement of research (one page maximum and including how you support and incorporate inclusive excellence).

* Statement of teaching philosophy (one page maximum and including how you support and incorporate inclusive excellence).

* 20 images of personal work identified with title, date, medium, and dimensions (as a single PDF)

* 20 images of student work identified with date, course title, and student level (as a single PDF)

* List of three professional references (name, title, email address, and phone number) willing to provide letters of recommendation if requested during the application process. Letters of recommendation will be requested only for candidates selected for interviews.

* At least one year of evaluations as instructor of record illustrating high quality teaching effectiveness to qualify for an one-year appointment with the potential for annual reappointment. At least three years of evaluations as instructor of record illustrating high quality teaching effectiveness required to be considered for a renewable three-year merit-based appointment.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Annual Salary/Benefits Package: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds inclusion, opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, marital or parental status, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). Federal law prohibits the University from discriminating on these bases. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

N/A

Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes