Full-Time Instructor Navajo Weaving/Textile Design

Full-Time Instructor Navajo Weaving/Textile Design

School of Arts & Humanities

Office of Provost

Tsaile Campus

Duty Schedule:

Determined by class schedule, normally M- F. Although some weekend classes may be scheduled as decided upon by the Instructor and Dean of the School of Arts & Humanities and approval of the Registrar.

Summary/Objective of Position:

This position is focused on advancing the prominent cultural practice of Navajo weaving and textile design at Din College. The ideal candidate will provide leadership for the four-year BF design program in Navajo Weaving. The candidate should have an appreciation for the history and development of Navajo weaving and a willingness to teach students (at all levels) about the practice, research, and knowledge of Navajo weaving, including wool processing. The ideal candidate will also play an important role in interdisciplinary collaborations with other faculty and schools at Din College and contribute to the vision of the College as a center for Navajo Arts and teachings grounded within an awareness of Din educational philosophy.

Description of Essential Functions of the Position

Disclaimer: This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. While this list is intended to accurately reflect the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

In addition to the summary of the position above, courses to be taught include:

• Introduction to Navajo Weaving (the teaching of basic skills such as upright-loom weaving techniques, warping, and vertical design; as well as origins, purposes, philosophy, and historical development of Navajo weaving from the Din perspective).
• Advanced Navajo Weaving (an emphasis on learning diagonal patterns and warping; and the creation of raised outline, twill, and two-faced textiles).
• Wool Processing (introduction to basic wool processing techniques related to Navajo weaving; students will learn about grades of raw wool; carding wool; hand spinning wool of different weights and understanding different plying methods).
• Wool Processing II (students will learn about dyeing methods in the Navajo way and experiment with different dyeing methods and using different fibers).

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

Minimum:

• A demonstrated understanding of the practice, tools, and techniques of Navajo weaving.

Preferred:

• A demonstrated understanding of the practice, tools, and techniques of Navajo weaving; as well as a demonstrated appreciation of the philosophy, history, and cultural practices integral to the practice of Navajo weaving;
• A demonstrated commitment to advancing the practice of Navajo weaving through community engagement, teaching, and research.
• A willingness to combine both the philosophical/spiritual dimensions of Navajo weaving with innovation and practice of the art.

Knowledge:

• The candidate should also possess strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work collegially and collaboratively with faculty and staff within the School of Arts & Humanities at Din College;
• A willingness to take a leadership role at Din College in Navajo weaving and textile design.

Skills:

• Observable skills in the techniques and methods of Navajo weaving, including warping vertical design; and wool processing.
• The candidate should demonstrate the skill to teach Navajo weaving (practice-based studio classes) to students at all levels.
• The candidate should also have patience and strong interpersonal skills and be willing to work collaboratively with faculty, students, and staff.

Abilities:

• The ability to understand and convey the practical, theoretical, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of Navajo weaving.
• The ability to teach and lecture about the importance of Navajo weaving to students and the wider community; and
• To cultivate partnerships with faculty from other academic schools at Din College (especially Din Studies and Education).

Physical Requirements, Work Environment & Travel:

• To be determined.

Other Requirement(s):

• Ability to speak Navajo would be helpful to the functions of the job.