FULL-TIME FACULTY IN CONTEMPORARY PRACTICES: School of the Art Institute of Chicago

The Department of Contemporary Practices (CP) at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) invites applications for a full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty position, beginning August 2020. Rank and salary are competitive with peer institutions and are commensurate with quality of practice, scholarship, academic research, extent of teaching experience, and current professional standing.

DEPARTMENT PROFILE

The Department of Contemporary Practices provides an intensive introduction to contemporary art and design as part of the required curriculum for first-year and incoming undergraduate transfer students.  The department’s curriculum teaches undergraduate students critical thinking skills and a variety of studio practices, materials, and concepts in order to cultivate a broad understanding of contemporary art and design across diverse media. Contemporary Practices faculty work with students transitioning into SAIC and preparing for their future studies at the School. The Department has evolved from a more traditional foundations program, continually evaluating and assessing what a truly contemporary first-year required curriculum in the arts should be. The department has over 850 students and 85 Faculty, including 12 tenured or tenure-track faculty. Further information about the department can be found at http://www.saic.edu/academics/departments/contemporary-practices

RESPONSIBILITIES

Tenured and tenure-track faculty in the Contemporary Practices Department teach and advise undergraduate students within the context of an interdisciplinary art and design school. Contemporary Practices faculty must engage with work across a wide range of disciplines. All Contemporary Practices faculty participate in new student orientation, co-teach in the Core Studio courses, and partner with academic advisors in the Research Studio I course. Faculty regularly evaluate courses and student learning in relation to departmental assessment and learning outcomes. The faculty member will teach in areas that contribute to the general goals of the department as well as in their area of specialization; take a leadership role in forging the future of the department; participate in student advising, admissions events, committee work, and special projects; contribute to the SAIC community through ongoing curricular development; and participate in departmental administration and school governance.

QUALIFICATIONS

An MFA or a terminal degree in a relevant field of study is preferred. Significant undergraduate level teaching experience is required. Applicants should have experience teaching courses related to art, design, and/or digital technology in relation to contemporary art and design. The candidate should have prior experience and/or capacity to work collaboratively with others to build strong and innovative programs and initiatives.  All candidates should demonstrate a commitment to foundational and or introductory level arts education. The ideal candidate will contribute to the diversity of the School by bringing a perspective, way of thinking, and/or a unique set of experiences that expand the intellectual conversations in art and design. We seek candidates with the knowledge and aptitude to teach and mentor students from diverse backgrounds. Candidates should demonstrate their experience with, or aptitude for, departmental administration.

Priority will be given to candidates whose practice, research and/or pedagogical focus are in one or more of the following areas:

• Post-Secondary Art Pedagogy: Artists and designers that are committed to a student centered pedagogy and have experience developing curriculum for art and design students entering college.
• Interdisciplinary Practices: Artists and/or designers whose practice rigorously moves across and between disciplines.
• Diversity – Individuals whose practice, research, and/or pedagogy demonstrates a proactive approach to teaching a diverse population, and is inclusive of individuals from all backgrounds.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

On or before January 5, 2020 please submit application materials via http://SAICfaculty.slideroom.com You will be asked to create an account after which time you may complete the application comprised of fill-in fields and uploaded documents. SAIC will underwrite the application fees; you will not be charged to apply for the position. You are encouraged to begin the application well before the deadline. No applications may be submitted beyond the deadline for any reason.

Complete the fields for: educational background; current position; and contact information for three professional references.

Please convert all word documents into PDFs before uploading. Required files to upload include: cover letter stating your interests and qualifications; resume or curriculum vitae; diversity statement; statement of teaching philosophy including your thoughts on teaching a diverse student population and creating an inclusive learning environment at the first-year college level; artist’s statement; *documentation of professional work (not to exceed 15 examples); two examples of course syllabi/assignments; and documentation of students’ work (not to exceed 10 examples).

* For time based work, no more than 10 minutes duration in total. For written work examples no more than 10 pages total.

QUESTIONS

Questions regarding the School and its open positions, application procedures, or the search process may be emailed to saicteach@saic.edu. Please consult http://www.saic.edu for information on the School and its programs, or http://www.saic.edu/about/jobsatsaic for open positions and application procedures.