Assistant Professor of Sculpture-Art & Art History

Posting Details

Job Title

Assistant Professor of Sculpture-Art & Art History

Posting Number

P0053F

Job Description Summary

The Department of Art & Art History in The College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University is seeking candidates for a full-time, tenure-track position in sculpture at the rank of Assistant Professor. Primary responsibilities include instruction, an active creative research agenda, student mentorship, curriculum development, and service on departmental, college, and university committees. Additional responsibilities include leadership and ongoing oversight and development of the sculpture area and concentration within the BFA in Studio Art program, and working with the 3-D Arts Building Technician to administer area budget, order materials, and manage and maintain area equipment, studios, and safety. The appointee will teach five courses per year and is expected to maintain an active professional studio practice. The appointment will begin August 16, 2021.

Minimum Qualifications

MFA degree in studio art, sculpture, or related field at time of appointment. Outstanding candidates will have an active exhibition record; a sustained creative research agenda in sculpture, 3D practice, and/or the expanded field; minimum two years of effective teaching of sculpture as instructor of record at the college level; and strong written and interpersonal skills. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency to teach a wide range of traditional and contemporary sculptural processes and materials including, but not limited to, wood and metal fabrication and moldmaking, and ability to incorporate new technologies and approaches such as 3-D CNC fabrication tools and software. Ability to envision an innovative undergraduate sculpture curriculum. Knowledge of studio safety procedures, safe operation and maintenance of equipment and tools. Expertise in theory and practice of contemporary sculpture. Ability to teach 3-D foundation courses and all levels of undergraduate sculpture.

The candidate selected for this position must be able to meet eligibility requirements to legally work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and throughout the proposed term of employment. Excellent communication skills required. Final appointment is contingent upon funding.

Desired Qualifications

Secondary areas of expertise, engagement with interdisciplinary approaches, and/or experimental use of expanded media. Ability to teach one or more of the following digital fabrication technologies: CNC plasma cutter, CNC router, laser cutter, and 3-D printer. Additional capability to teach courses on rotation with other studio faculty, such as Issues and Criticism in Contemporary Art, Professional Studio Practices, BFA Critique Seminar, and BA Capstone.

Additional Information: The Department of Art & Art History currently offers two degrees in studio art (B.A. and B.F.A), a minor in studio art, a B.A. degree in Art with a formal option in Art History, and a minor in art history. The Department is a charter member of NASAD and is the oldest fully-accredited art department in the Southeast. It is housed in historic Biggin Hall and a separate, dedicated 8,000 sq. ft. fully equipped 3-D Arts Building. See our website for more details about our sculpture area equipment and facilities: https://cla.auburn.edu/art/programs/bfa-in-studio-art/sculpture/
The department also features Biggin Gallery, an 800 sq. ft. exhibitions gallery, as well as ancillary student project and exhibiton spaces in both Biggin Hall and the 3-D Arts Building. https://cla.auburn.edu/art/about/facilities/
Auburn University has an ever-evolving Innovation and Research Commons that includes a staffed makerspace and technology lending space, among other initiatives, to support teaching and faculty research: https://www.lib.auburn.edu/irc/
Students and faculty regularly visit and collaborate with the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, which contains an impressive permanent collection of European and American art, and hosts a roster of first-rate exhibitions, lectures, films, and special events.

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for the Department of Art & Art History. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the community within the university and beyond. The Department is an inclusive community that welcomes people from every background and fulfills its land-grant mission through the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. For more details, visit the department: https://www.cla.auburn.edu/art/

Auburn University is one of the nation’s premier public land-grant institutions. In 2019, it was ranked 52nd among public universities by U.S. News and World Report. Auburn maintains high levels of research activity and high standards for teaching excellence, offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, Educational Specialist, and Doctor’s degrees in agriculture and engineering, the professions, and the arts and sciences. Its 2018 enrollment of 30,440 students includes 24,628 undergraduates and 5,812 graduate and professional students. Organized into twelve academic colleges and schools, Auburn’s 1,450 faculty members offer more than 200 educational programs. The University is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, its positive work environment, its student engagement, and its beautiful campus. To learn more about Auburn University visit: http://auburn.edu/academic/provost/facultyjobs/

Auburn residents enjoy a thriving community, recognized as one of the “best small towns in America,” with moderate climate and easy access to major cities or to beach and mountain recreational facilities. Situated along the rapidly developing I-85 corridor between Atlanta, Georgia, and Montgomery, Alabama, the combined Auburn-Opelika-Columbus statistical area has a population of over 500,000, with excellent public-school systems and regional medical centers.

Auburn University is understanding of and sensitive to the family needs of faculty, including dual-career couples. http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/facultyjobs/

Auburn University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Application materials will be submitted online through Auburn University’s employment site: https://aufacultypositions.peopleadmin.com/postings/19554
In their application materials, candidates should provide evidence of a commitment to fostering and engaging with a diversity of ideas and experiences to create an inclusive environment in the classroom and the wider university and community.

Please submit the following:
- Cover letter addressing professional qualifications as they relate to the position
- Curriculum Vitae, including applicant’s website URL .
- One-page Statement of Teaching Philosophy with emphasis on Sculptural Practice
- One-page Artist/Creative Research Statement
- Examples of professional work: Provide 20 samples in a single PDF file no larger than 10 MB, and an identification list that includes the following 1-3:
1. Images: title, date, media, and dimensions
2. Audio: title, date, media, duration, and URL to access.
3. Video: still image, title, date, media, duration, and URL to access.
- Examples of student work: Provide 20 samples in a single PDF file no larger than 10 MB, and an identification list that includes the following 1-3:
1. Images: title, date, media, and dimensions, course level, date, and assignment
2. Audio: title, date, media, duration, and URL to access, course level, date, and assignment.
3. Video: still image, title, date, media, duration, course level, date, assignment, and URL to access.
- Names and contact information of 3 references (letters will be requested at a later date for short-listed candidates).
- Optional—syllabi, teaching evaluations, and/or evidence of effective teaching will be requested at a later date for short-listed candidates.

Review of applications will begin January 4, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. Following the initial screening of applications, short-listed candidates will be scheduled for preliminary interviews via video conference. Finalists will be required to submit an official transcript of the terminal degree prior to being invited to campus for in-person interviews.

Open Date

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

References required for this position?

Yes

If yes, minimum number requested

3
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
   • Advertisement/Publication
   • Website
   • Public Job Posting (auemployment.com site)
   • Academic Conference
   • Agency Referral
   • Internal Job Posting
   • Personal Referral
   • Veterans Assistance Services (Veteran Job Boards, Military Base Services, State Vet Rep, etc.)
   • Disability Assistance Services (Disability Job Boards, ABLE Network, Voc-Rehab referral, etc.)
   • Other
2. * Please enter the specifics of the option you selected above:
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   

Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Other Documentation
4. Examples of Professional/Student Work
5. Statement of Teaching Philosophy
6. Statement of Research and/or Goals

Optional Documents

1. Transcripts
2. Student/Teacher/Course Evaluations/Effectiveness
3. Syllabus (1)
4. Syllabus (2)
5. Teaching &/or Personal Work Portfolio (2)
6. Other
7. Other Documentation (2)