Assistant Professor - Art Education

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts)
Department of Art Education

Application Deadline: April 22, 2023

The Opportunity:

The VCUarts Department of Art Education (https://arts.vcu.edu/arteducation/) seeks an engaged and collaboration-minded scholar, teacher, and compassionate colleague for the position of Assistant Professor of Art Education, with an emphasis on creative utilization of digital technology in instructional methods.

Art Education Department:
The Department of Art Education supports instruction in art that encourages the construction of meaning. Faculty and students are actively involved with the Art World, education, justice work, and local and global communities through art-based service-learning, visual culture studies, critical thinking, exhibition, assessment, curriculum, critical theory, and emerging digital technologies (virtual and interactive). Through our own research and instruction, we engage students and ourselves in traditional and non-traditional forms of inquiry. With an emphasis on diverse approaches to artmaking and instructional practices, the BFA program in Art Education prepares highly capable and effective visual art educators. The mission of the MAE program is to provide a transformative experience for art educators. Building upon their current practice, students in the program will move through theory to become more reflective practitioners. Graduates of the VCU Art Education track of the Ph.D. in Education will be leaders in the field of Art Education. The mission of the PhD track is to foster the development of highly qualified scholars and educators who will significantly influence public and community education through emerging contemporary Art Education theories and practices.

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 60 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.

Major Responsibilities:

This position is a 9-month, tenure-eligible faculty position in the Department of Art Education with academic rank of Assistant Professor. Responsibilities include teaching courses that support the BFA, MAE, and PhD curriculum, with significant teaching at the graduate level. Opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching and curricular change are available and supported.

The faculty member is expected to: provide leadership by mentoring students at all levels; encourage undergraduate research projects; supervise graduate students, including those who may be teaching; foster collaborative curriculum and research across the arts and broader campus; incorporate contemporary approaches to art and education into instruction, with an emphasis on creative utilization of digital technology, social media, etc.; secure external funding, demonstrate through research, teaching, and/or public engagement the richness of diversity in the learning experience; integrate multicultural approaches and perspectives into instructional methods and research tools; and cultivate and contribute to community engagement and service-learning activities at both national and global levels.

The faculty member’s creative and research activity should make a significant contribution to a body of knowledge within art education, relate to the program’s curriculum and be consistent with and support the broader mission and initiatives of the department, School, and University. In addition, the faculty member will demonstrate and disseminate professional expertise through scholarly publications and national and international presentations, and active participation in art education and/or related professional organizations.

As a member of a community-oriented, interdisciplinary department and School, the faculty member will serve on departmental, College, and/or University committees as necessary, as well as in a professional capacity in their field. The faculty member could have additional responsibilities which may include academic advising, mentoring graduate and/or undergraduate students, coordinating student activities, overseeing doctoral studies, overseeing a department program and/or lab, and supporting accreditation and curriculum development.

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in Art Education or related area.
• Successful recent teaching experience (pk-12/Higher Education/Museum).
• Fluency in contemporary approaches to art, education, and technology.
• The faculty member will be required to have an established research agenda and a clear potential for external funding, and potential for scholarship or creative expression to complement and expand existing expertise in the department.
• Well-versed in current research methods and the ability to supervise high quality research at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Ability to relate theory to practice.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Full-time teaching experience at the preK-12 level.
• Three (3) years recent and successful art education teaching experience at the college level.
• Leading on a national/international level with referenced publications and potential to secure grants.
• Interdisciplinary interests that intersect with art education in significant ways.
• Demonstrated interest in working with public school art programs, community arts agencies, VCU’s new Institute for Contemporary Art, and a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion in art education.
• Active professional membership in the National Art Education Association.

Application Process:

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion - an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. VCUarts strongly encourages applications from all racial, ethnic, gender, and social identities.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences, and academic and professional activities will impact your contribution to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion. Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research and scholarship that promotes equity and parity; teaching and mentoring students, and/or engaging with faculty and/or staff from traditionally underrepresented groups to create a positive and successful organizational experience. For additional guidance on writing a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: https://provost.vcu.edu/faculty/prospective/.

In addition, the following documents should submitted:

• A Letter of Interest that conveys relevant academic and professional experience and describes experiences and/or professional service that inform world views and/or perspectives about minority group status, to include race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, and disability;
• Teaching Philosophy;
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• List of three professional references including names with titles and contact information (references will not be checked prior to candidate’s approval). and
• Portfolio of work: examples of work could include course syllabi; evidence of excellence in teaching; examples of published research, writing, and visual and creative work.

Only electronic applications submitted via the VCU Jobs website will be accepted. Completed applications are due by April 22, 2023. Questions about the application process should be directed to Tasia Robinson, Assistant Director of Human Resources for VCUarts, at thompsontl5@vcu.edu.

To read more about VCUarts: http://arts.vcu.edu

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.