Assistant Professor in Illustration

PAFA is seeking a faculty member in Illustration with a passion for teaching, and the ability to translate key illustration and design principles for a fine arts student body.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced illustrator who is currently working in the field. Applicants should have professional experience in editorial and narrative illustration, illustrated books, and graphic design, as well as experience in multiple media, including digital painting and vector drawing. They may also have experience in other aspects of illustration and visual narrative, such as comics, storyboarding, poster design, visual development, or UI design.

The candidate will also have a deep interest in incorporating professional practice training at every level of study in order to give students a fighting chance to make it in this demanding field. They will be eager to collaborate with their colleagues across disciplines to build interdepartmental bridges and support students in all areas of the school.

PAFA’s diverse student body includes students working across disciplines in an environment that is both rigorous and supportive.  Outstanding facilities, including printmaking and sculpture shops, digital labs, and a paper making studio, allow for hybrid and interdisciplinary approaches. PAFA’s museum exhibitions and collections provide an immense resource for faculty to teach from.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates will have a Master of Fine Arts degree or equivalent experience, at least two years of teaching experience, and a strong professional record. Faculty members are expected to excel at teaching, keep active professional lives, and engage in the life of the institution through activities such as advising, overseeing independent study projects, and serving on committees.

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts accepts digital applications only. A complete application should include the following:

• Cover letter of interest that addresses your qualifications
• Diversity Statement: one-page teaching philosophy explaining your experiences and commitments to diversity that includes your approach to supporting a diverse and inclusive classroom
• Teaching focused Resume and/or CV
• Link to portfolio that includes work for print and online
• Contact information for three reference

Applicants missing the requested information will not be considered.

When submitting your application online, please save your documents as Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) or PDF (.pdf) files. To help us process your applications as efficiently as possible, please save your files with the following filename format.

• Cover Letter: LastName-FirstName-CoverLetter
• Diversity Statement: LastName-FirstName-DiversityStatement
• Resume/CV: LastName-FirstName-Resume-CV
• References: LastName-Firstname-References

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Because we were the nation’s first art museum and art school, we believe PAFA has a moral obligation to ensure that every member of our community can study and work in an environment where they feel a sense of belonging.  We have the additional obligation of ensuring that our community reflects that rich tapestry of beauty and diversity that surrounds our world.  We are committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for the entire arts, cultural and educational sector, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.  PAFA is committed to maintaining an inclusive learning environment, and a diverse community of students, faculty and staff.

PAFA is an equal opportunity employer. Women and diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply to work in our pluralistic community.

ABOUT PAFA

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is America's first school and museum of fine arts.  Located in center city Philadelphia, PAFA is intimate in scale with a strong sense of community.  PAFA’s undergraduate degree offerings include a BFA in Studio Art and a coordinated BFA with the University of Pennsylvania. Graduate programs include an MFA and Low-Residency MFA degree, and a Post-Baccalaureate certificate. PAFA’s museum has an outstanding collection of American art, and the museum actively collects and exhibits contemporary art, including work in new media.  Additionally, PAFA is home to the Brodsky Center, a print and papermaking center focused on the creation of innovative editions by contemporary artists.

*Due to the amount of potential applicants, we do not respond to voice calls or messages about the status of your application. Based on the criteria for the position, the most qualified candidates will be contacted directly. Thank you for your interest in PAFA.