The School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Art Education to start in August 2023. This is a nine-month faculty appointment, with a standard workload of 40% teaching, 40% research/creative activity, and 20% service.
The candidate for this position will be an important part of our BFA and MA in Art Education programs, as well as the future Ph.D. program in Art Education. The School of Art is seeking a collaborative, innovative, and critical thinker who demonstrates a potential program or a strong record of research, teaching, and community outreach. The candidate will teach both undergraduate and graduate courses related to curriculum and pedagogy in art education, research methodologies in art education, philosophical foundations and histories of art education, and contemporary theories of art education. In addition to contributing to the curriculum of the Art Education program, the candidate will have the opportunity to teach in the Foundations program and potentially collaborate with other areas in the School of Art.
The candidate will have the opportunity to develop and teach coursework specific to their research interests. The candidate should have a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in their pedagogical and scholarly practice from an interdisciplinary perspective. The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. The candidate will be expected to share expertise in the development of graduate level art education programs, foster interdisciplinary cross-campus relationships, and connect with a vibrant local and regional art education community.
Duties will include: • Typically teach two courses per semester in Art Education in consultation with the Art Education Program Director and the School of Art Director. Opportunities may also exist to teach in Foundations program or in collaboration with other areas in the School of Art. • Maintain an active nationally/internationally significant program of research • Assist in planning and implementing of new undergraduate and graduate courses and degrees • Participate in BFA in Art Education reviews • Supervise/serve on graduate student thesis and dissertation committees • Participate in program-level advising, committee work, and other service • Be a present and active member of the program, School of Art, and university community • Contribute positively to program and school recruitment efforts
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 STRATEGIC CLUSTER HIRE:
The School of Art at the University of Arkansas highly values equity, access, diversity, and inclusion in creating, studying, and teaching. This position is part of a cluster of searches designed to foster an equitable, innovative, and inclusive environment for teaching, mentoring, research, and service. The School of Art is especially interested in applicants whose work aims to broaden the canon, demonstrates a commitment to mentoring students from diverse 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.
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 52 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, Master of Design in Communication Design, and MFA in Studio Art. A Doctoral degree in Art Education and Master’s degree in Art History are currently in development.
ABOUT THE ART EDUCATION PROGRAM:
The mission of the Art Education Program at the University of Arkansas is to:
prepare culturally responsive educators who are dedicated to developing interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to art teaching and research, which address current and future needs of visual arts educators in schools, communities, and museum settings, as well as other educative environments.
promote equitable educational practices and community-based programs that acknowledge and challenge barriers to quality art educational access and success, while promoting high quality, socially responsible visual arts educational opportunities.
prepare artist-educators and artist-scholars to study, research, and transform the educative potential of the visual arts in schools, museums, and communities—regionally, nationally, and internationally.
to conduct research and provide leadership that questions dominant ideologies and cultures in order to generate innovative, inclusive, and equitable approaches to the visual arts and its education.
The vision of the Art Education Program at the University of Arkansas is to inspire artist-educators and artist-scholars to utilize the educative potential of art practice, teaching, and research to build a more equitable and just world. Our work in carrying out this mission and vision is informed by the following core priorities:
to recognize, celebrate, and promote inclusive and equitable approaches to art practice, teaching, and research.
to prioritize and value the histories and practices of underrepresented peoples and underserved communities through critical, reflexive, and collaborative inquiry.
to challenge, innovate, and extend the educative potential of art practice, teaching, and research.
The Art Education Program in the School of Art at the University of Arkansas offers BFA and MA degrees in Art Education, with plans to develop a Ph.D. in Art Education. The MA in Art Education began in Fall 2022. Faculty members are leaders in the field of art education and in other areas of study, including teacher education and curriculum studies; art-led research, teaching and learning; philosophies and histories of art education; child and youth studies; critical pedagogy; critical race studies; community-engaged scholarship; decolonial education theories; disability studies; gender studies; intergenerational studies; queer theory; and transnational feminism.
The BFA in Art Education has two concentrations, which include K-12 Teaching and Community Practice. The degree seeks to prepare students to be educators and leaders who can foster a progressive and inclusive art education in schools and/or within community organizations. The curriculum covers pedagogical theories and research that are interdisciplinary and diversity conscious. The program also offers various field experience and internship opportunities in schools, museums and community settings, such as areas school districts, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Life Styles, and TASC, as well as other cultural sites and educational settings.
The MA degree program in Art Education is a two-year research-oriented residency program that emphasizes theoretical studies and research inquiries in art education. It is designed for students seeking to expand and deepen their knowledge of theory and practice in Art Education. Both the practice of research and study occupy a central place in the program. Through coursework, students will study and learn about how art education is practiced across a range of different sites—schools, communities, and museums—and develop conceptual and analytical approaches for the conduct of research. Students will have the opportunity to pursue artistic and educational research in areas and topics that interest them. They will develop research questions and pursue inquiries in schools, museums, and community sites. By conducting research, analyzing data, and reporting findings, students will contribute new understandings and knowledge to the field of art education and to their own practice as art educators.
Salary Information:
Commensurate with education and experience
Required Documents to Apply:
Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, Diversity Statement, Other (see special instructions for details), Statement of Research Philosophy, Statement of Teaching Philosophy, Writing Sample
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 and climate that embeds inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The university welcomes applications without regard to race/color, sex, gender, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, religion, marital or parental status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law.
Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment. All applicant information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. or Ed.D. in art education or a related field from an accredited institution conferred by the time of appointment
Evidence of a strong research record
Evidence of teaching experience in preK-12, museum, community-based, and/or university settings
Experience in—or the potential for—building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment in teaching, mentoring, research, life experiences, or service
Evidence of strong interpersonal and communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
Evidence of strong research commitment relative to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Demonstrated—or the potential for—excellence with inclusive teaching and mentoring a diverse student body
Demonstrated commitment to community engagement or outreach
Interest or experience in interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and cross-campus collaborations
Emerging or active commitment to national service and leadership
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Completed applications received by 1/31/2023 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, Injeong Yoon-Ramirez, at ijyoon@uark.edu.
Required Documents:
Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Application
1 example of a scholarly publication
Statement of Teaching Philosophy and its application
Statement of Research
1-2 Course Syllabi
Statement detailing your contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), including information about your understanding of these topics, how your professional experience or background has prepared you to promote EDI in this role, and your specific plans and goals for advancing EDI if hired at the University of Arkansas
Optional Documents
Proof of Veterans Status
Other materials you deem relevant to your application (e.g., artist statement, digital portfolio, samples of student work, teaching evaluations)
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
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 52 faculty, 8 sta...ff members, and more than 500 students. There are currently 6 degree options: BFA in Art Education, BFA in Graphic Design, BFA in Studio Art, BA in Art History, BA in Studio Art, and MFA in Studio Art. Advanced degrees in Art Education, Art History, and Graphic Design are currently in development, with some degree options scheduled to begin as early as Fall 2022 (MA in Art Education).
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