Assistant or Associate Professor - Visual Arts

Assistant or Associate Professor - Visual Arts

Position Category: Faculty
FLSA: Exempt
FTE:
Location: Thousand Oaks

University Background:
California Lutheran University invites applicants for a tenure track faculty position in the Visual Arts Department beginning in the fall of 2021. Specifically, the department seeks candidates with expertise in digital art/media. Students in Cal Lutheran’s Department of Visual Arts gain skills and experiences which prepare them for occupations in education, advertising, game design, graphic design, digital special effects, publishing, and other creative industries. The Multimedia major has 60 majors with concentrations in Graphic Design, HD Cinema, Game Design, Visual Effects, and Web & Interactive. There are currently 30 majors pursuing BA degrees in Fine Art, a minor in Art History, as well as Fine Art with a Concentration in Graphic Design.

Cal Lutheran is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and McNair Institution, and we are looking for candidates with a demonstrated commitment to and success working in diverse, multi-cultural and multi- racial communities, particularly in mentoring African American, Latino/a, and Native American students. Cal Lutheran encourages applicants from all faiths, and advocates for justice and fairness for all people. Cal Lutheran is an accredited, private, comprehensive university that engages students in critical inquiry and is dedicated to educating leaders for a global society. The campus is located midway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, and is home to more than 2,800 undergraduate and 1,250 graduate students who come from 35 countries and represent a variety of faiths. 45.2% of Cal Lutheran students are from underrepresented groups, and 34% of freshmen are first generation students. The Department faculty rotate in the role of Department Chair and the candidate will be in line to assume the role of Chair in the near future.

Cal Lutheran’s Department of Visual Arts which has majors and minors in Multimedia and Fine Art, and a minor in Art History and celebrates the variety of forms and approaches - from the fine arts (drawing, painting, ceramics, and sculpture), to the digital arts (graphic design, animation, visual effects, game design, and photography). In addition to hands-on, project-based art that nourishes self-expression and fosters the imagination, art majors study art history and art education, along with theory and design to enhance their critical thinking in the context of the creative process.

The Visual Arts Department is housed in the new William Rolland Art Center. This facility houses studio classrooms for graphic design, painting and drawing, ceramics, sculpture, photography and media arts, and art history. A Mac computer lab, photo studio, a media room with green screen, and outdoor work spaces are featured in the facility. The lobby gallery area is dedicated to the exhibition of student work. The nearby William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art is led by a curator who collaborates closely with the department. The Gallery offers student internships and hosts the Senior Art show each Spring.

The department’s faculty and staff enjoy a reputation as dedicated, engaged, and collegial with an active record of research and creative accomplishments. Graduates have been placed in numerous high profile positions in Graphic Arts, and the Media and Entertainment industry


Basic Function:
The Visual Arts Department invites applications for a tenure track faculty position and future department chair with the position beginning in the Fall of 2021. The faculty position should be a visionary, collaborative instructor who will be responsible for teaching undergraduate courses in the digital arts. The department chair position is a 3-year appointment - appointed by the Dean with the support of departmental faculty and staff. With the support of an administrative assistant, the department chair manages and leads the Visual Arts Department, which includes Art and Multimedia, teaches in an area of expertise within the department, engages in and promotes scholarship and service, and maintains internal and external constituent relationships. The chair will work toward broadening participation among members of underrepresented groups, supporting the integration of inclusive perspectives into the culture and curriculum of the department.


Representative Duties:
• Teaches a range of undergraduate courses with a knowledge of principles and elements of design, and digital art practices
• Engages in professional and scholarly research consistent with a teaching university, including skills as a practicing artist
• Provides departmental leadership in curriculum development at the course and program level
• Leads program and departmental meetings
• Provides effective leadership in facilitating the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the Department consistent with those of the College and University
• Conducts periodic faculty/staff evaluations within the department, providing appropriate and timely feedback
• Develops and submits annual goals and reports to Dean
• Works with the University’s Development Office to advocate for program support.
• Develops and manage departmental budget and financial resources
• Facilitates recruitment and retention of a diverse group of highly qualified and motivated faculty and staff
• Maintains professional and ethical standards in administration of duties
• Offers service to the University and community


Knowledge Of:
• Current theory and practice within the subject discipline
• Principles and best practices of effective teaching
• Student learning outcomes and methods of assessment
• University curricula
• Community and campus resources, services, programs, and professionals available to students
• Methods of gathering, analyzing, and preparing data
• Modern computing technology
• Record keeping techniques with regard to student enrollment, attendance, and progress


Ability To:
• Teaches a range of undergraduate courses with a knowledge of principles and elements of design, and digital art practices
• Engages in professional and scholarly research consistent with a teaching university, including skills as a practicing artist
• Provides departmental leadership in curriculum development at the course and program level
• Leads program and departmental meetings
• Provides effective leadership in facilitating the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the Department consistent with those of the College and University
• Conducts periodic faculty/staff evaluations within the department, providing appropriate and timely feedback
• Develops and submits annual goals and reports to Dean
• Works with the University’s Development Office to advocate for program support.
• Develops and manage departmental budget and financial resources
• Facilitates recruitment and retention of a diverse group of highly qualified and motivated faculty and staff
• Maintains professional and ethical standards in administration of duties
• Offers service to the University and community


Minimum Qualifications:
• Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or terminal degree from an accredited institution appropriate to the position discipline


Preferred Qualifications:
• Demonstrated experience working in one or more of the department’s primary program areas (Graphic Design, Digital Art, Animation, Visual Effects)
• Expertise in program specific software including Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere
• Working knowledge of Visual Effects, 3D Animation, Web Design, Game Design
• Knowledge of art history, art criticism and theory from a variety of perspectives
• Excellent communication skills in interpersonal relationships, problem-solving, and decision-making
• Demonstrated ability to develop students’ vision, style, and innovation in ways that respect diverse voices, perspectives, aesthetic values, and experiences.
• Ability to relate well with students and colleagues
• Ability to connect and engage with diverse groups on campus and in the wider community
• Administrative leadership experience as department head or director, program coordinator, or equivalent experience


Licenses and Other Requirements:


Physical Abilities:


Working Environment:
Indoor classroom environment; seated for extended periods of time; subject to visiting a variety of classroom sites on campus.


Posting Number: Faculty000252020
Number of Vacancies:
Desired Start Date:
Position End Date:
Open Date: 01/13/2021
Close Date: 3/15/2021
Open Until Filled: No

Application Procedure/Special Instructions:
Make sure to include the following with your application:
1. Cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications of the position and how you are prepared to support the HSI designation of Cal Lutheran and adapt to the needs of underrepresented and first-generation students
2. Curriculum vitae/resume
3. Statement of teaching philosophy that addresses your experience and/or motivation to teach and mentor underrepresented and first-generation students
4. Statement of research and any other scholarly/creative activities pertinent to your professional identity
5. 3 letters of reference (to be requested through the “postings” portal)


To apply, visit https://careers.callutheran.edu/postings/6714

California Lutheran University is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment for all persons, regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable law. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program, activity or facility of the University on the basis of these factors in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, ordinances, orders and rules, and University’s policies, procedures, and processes.

Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process can be provided to individuals with qualifying disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information or to request an accommodation.


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