Assistant Professor of Craft/Material Studies -- Specialization in Wood

Assistant Professor of Craft/Material Studies -- Specialization in Wood

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts)

Department of Craft/Material Studies                                                

This 9-month position is a one-year appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, is non-tenure eligible, and is only for the period beginning  August 16, 2022 through May 15, 2023. 

The Opportunity:

The VCUarts Department of Craft/Material Studies (https://arts.vcu.edu/academics/departments/craft-material-studies/) seeks highly-qualified applicants for a non-tenure eligible (term) faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor with a specialization in wood. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic teacher, creative colleague, broad thinker, and artist who will want to contribute to the progressive spirit of an established material studies program.

This is a non-tenure eligible (term) faculty position. Term faculty are eligible for promotion in academic rank, and are valued for their academic, professional, and creative practice/scholarly contributions in their specific area of expertise. The primary responsibilities of this opportunity are teaching so we seek to hire faculty who stand out with respect to effectiveness in teaching and engagement with students.

Our new colleague will be well versed in material knowledge and object-based practices and will offer students a framework through which important critical theories and historical craft knowledge can be emphasized. An understanding of and the ability to incorporate both analogue and digital practices in teaching methods is preferred. The ideal candidates will demonstrate a commitment to pedagogical projects and coursework that support an inclusive, diverse, and accessible experience for all students. Additional interdisciplinary opportunities are available for an engaged colleague, including advanced studios, foundations, and/or undergraduate and graduate seminars.

Department of Craft/Material Studies:

The Department of Craft/Material Studies is among 16 departments and programs in VCUarts.  We specialize in five media areas (Clay, Metal, Wood, Glass and Fiber) and offer both breadth and depth across craft disciplines at the BFA and MFA levels.

Our Mission: We are a community of makers/artists who advance the conceptual, historical, technical and haptic aspects of Clay, Fiber, Glass, Metal and Wood. We promote an artistic practice rooted in the values of Craft. We investigate Craft’s inherent relationship to the world with fearless innovation.

Major Responsibilities:

This position is a 9-month non-tenure eligible (term) faculty position in the VCUarts Department of Craft/Material Studies with an academic rank of Assistant Professor. The faculty member’s responsibilities will be heavily weighted towards teaching. Instructional responsibilities comprise development and teaching of undergraduate and graduate courses in wood, and include service on graduate committees. The ideal candidate will teach classes such as Introductory Woodworking Techniques, Furniture Design, and Advanced Woodworking. The faculty member will have a broad understanding of the fields of craft and fine art in order to teach at all levels with rotational topics. The ability to relate contemporary tendencies in craft and fine arts to historical, theoretical, and critical issues is essential. Additional courses could be taught in the faculty member’s area(s) of expertise. Course assignments will change based on demand and will be at the discretion of the Chair.

The faculty member is expected to mentor students; have a fully-engaged pedagogical framework that addresses current trends including collaborative and multi/interdisciplinary engagement; integrate innovative pedagogical and technological approaches, and multicultural perspectives into instructional methods; be a passionate educator who models curiosity and rigorous optimistic engagement to students and fellow faculty; foster collaborative teaching, educational and community engagement opportunities through diverse and innovative projects and curriculum; promote the efforts of the department in the school and throughout the community. In support of the department’s strong commitment to diversity, the faculty member is expected to foster a welcoming, equitable, and accessible learning environment for all students.

Creative research is not a primary expectation for this non-tenure eligible position. It is expected that the faculty member will demonstrate excellence through teaching and will maintain a scholarly body of knowledge within the discipline. The department will support the faculty member’s professional development, as appropriate and within available resources, to ensure ongoing mastery of the discipline as it relates to craft and fine arts and the program’s curriculum. Professional development activities will be consistent with and support the mission and initiatives of the department, school and university. The department will also support creative research at an appropriate annual level, though teaching will constitute the majority of the faculty member’s responsibilities.

The preferred candidate will have an active professional career and demonstrate a commitment to or potential for involvement in national or international organizations. As a member of a community-oriented, tight-knit department and School, the faculty member will participate in university service, including coordination of student activities; participating in open house events and portfolio reviews, and attending exhibition openings. Other responsibilities may be assigned by the Chair or university administration.

Qualifications:

Required

·         MFA or equivalent professional experience and training that equates to an MFA

·         Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment and a commitment to equity and diversity in teaching, service, leadership and practice

·         Active artistic practice

·         Demonstrated effectiveness in studio critique and teaching beyond graduate school

·         Fluency in area of specialization, craft, and contemporary art

·         Evidence of an ability to supervise a specialized facility and its related equipment

·         Demonstrable interest in developing productive connections across creative disciplines

·         Strong collaboration skills, and demonstrate enthusiasm toward teaching and working with faculty, staff and students within the university; and to building and maintaining professional relationships outside of the university on the program’s behalf 

            Preferred

·         Strong foundation in contemporary critical discourse

·         Ability to incorporate both analogue and digital practices in teaching methods

·         Record of community-engaged teaching or extra-curricular activities

Application Instructions:

 The following documents should submitted online via the VCU Jobs Website (https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home?c=vcu):

·         Current CV

Only electronic applications submitted via the VCU Jobs Website will be accepted.

 

 VCUarts:

Ranked by US News & World Report as a top-five arts and design school, VCUarts (arts.vcu.edu) includes over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students with nationally recognized programs in design, visual and performing arts, and has an annual budget of $38 million and an endowment of more than $13.5 million. Students are taught by over 175 full-time teaching and research faculty members and the school is supported by over 50 staff members that assist in daily processes. The School includes two campuses; one in Richmond and one in Doha, Qatar. The Richmond campus is located on the university’s 75-acre Monroe Park campus situated in the city’s historic Fan District.  Ultimately, the work of the School of the Arts extends globally with partnerships throughout the world and across fields as diverse as the humanities, health care and business. 

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to providing accessible and equitable living, learning, and working environments free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability.

Salary : $38