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 and Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for a non-tenure track up to three-year position as Teaching Assistant Professor 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. For a one-year appointment position with the potential for annual reappointment to be considered, the candidate should provide at least one year of evaluations as instructor of record illustrating high quality teaching effectiveness. This is a 9-month faculty appointment with 60% teaching, 20% research/creative activity, and 20% service expectation. Specific duties will include teaching a 3/3 load; participating in Foundations leadership structure (committee service and/or direct leadership of the program); managing (or co-managing) of Foundations’ budget, materials, facilities, technology, and other resources; supporting Foundations organization -related programming; supervising graduate assistants; serving on graduate student thesis/dissertation committees; actively participating in program, School of Art, and university community; contributing positively to School of Art recruitment efforts; Maintaining an active creative research practice.
This non-tenure track Teaching Assistant Professor position will occupy an integral role in the School of Art’s Foundations program, which is required for all students pursuing degrees in Studio Art, Graphic Design, and Art Education. This candidate will be a collaborative, innovative critical thinker who is actively engaged in their respective field of study with a strong research trajectory and is committed to contributing to an inclusive culture.
The candidate will primarily teach undergraduate curriculum within the Foundations program as it relates to their area of expertise and participate in the leadership structure of the program. Foundations introduce students to a multitude of contemporary ideas, experiences, and techniques intended to orient them toward success in their chosen course of study. The candidate will be comfortable teaching across art disciplines within the foundations’ curriculum. The School of Art is especially interested in candidates with experience in interdisciplinary and/or collaborative practices.
The candidate will design foundational undergraduate courses, develop and implement new methods of teaching to reflect changes in the field, provide curriculum material, mentor and evaluate students, create interest and understanding among students, conduct research leading to publication/exhibition, engage in creative and/or scholarly activities, serve on various faculty- and student-oriented committees, provide service on campus and in related professional organizations, and participate in faculty governance in the department and on campus.
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.
About the Foundations Area:
The School of Art Foundations Program is the first-year experience for Studio Art, Art Education, and Graphic Design majors. The program comprises of two nine-credit hour, sequentially team-taught courses, offered in the regular academic year. Each of these courses consists of distinct curricular units, plus a graded written component. In addition to course meeting hours, Foundations students attend the programming of the School of Art Visiting Lecturer series, as well as other scheduled events. During this first year experience, students build strong connections with their peers, develop effective work habits, and learn to ask complex questions—in addition to being exposed to the full range of formal art and design principles.
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 eight 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.
Duties will include:
• 60% Teaching
• 20% Research
• 20% Service
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
With submitted materials, the candidate must demonstrate/articulate:
- Master of Fine Arts, Master of Design, Master of Graphic Design or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education conferred by the date of initial appointment
- An active research/creative practice or evidence of scholarly productivity
- At least one year of college-level teaching experience (as instructor of record)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Three years or more of college-level teaching experience (as instructor of record)
- Demonstrated ability to develop effective foundational curriculum serving studio art, graphic design, and art education
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and contribute effectively within a collaborative faculty team and in relevant national organizations.
- Interest or experience in interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and/or cross-campus collaborations
- Capacity to increase the excellence of the university community in teaching, mentorship, research, life experiences, and/or services for all
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:
Linda Nguyen Lopez, Search Committee Chair, lnlopez@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:
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Completed applications received by December 1, 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, Linda Nguyen Lopez, at lnlopez@uark.edu.
Applicants must submit:
• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of application
• Artist Statement or Statement of research (one page maximum)
• Statement of teaching philosophy that fosters student belonging and positive learning outcomes
• Syllabi/course outlines of up to three relevant courses taught or proposed (please submit as a single PDF)
• Portfolio of creative research: Please include 20 images of personal work in a single pdf including image information: title, date, medium, and dimensions
• Portfolio of student work: Please include 20 images of student work in a single pdf including image information: title, date, medium, and dimensions
• 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.
