Assistant/Associate Professor of Ceramics

CERAMICS FACULTY, MAINE COLLEGE OF ART

Maine College of Art (MECA) invites applications for an Assistant/Associate Professor of Ceramics with duties commencing on or about August 15, 2021.

MAINE COLLEGE OF ART

Located at the center of one of America’s fastest growing art and design communities, Maine College of Art brings together makers, educators, and leaders to enrich the evolving culture of the state and region. The College is a cornerstone in the heart of Downtown Portland, a diverse and vibrant waterfront city, in a state which has served as an inspiration for artists for hundreds of years. MECA’s history as a longstanding cultural institution in New England speaks to the College’s commitment to the value of creativity and the universality of artistic expression. New additions to the College’s programs include the Bob Crewe Program in Art and Music, a minor in Sustainable Ecosystems in Art and Design, the nationally known Salt Institute of Documentary Studies, and a BFA in Animation and Game Art, all of which complement MECA’s long-running Public Engagement program. In the summer of 2020, Maine College of Art completed a key component of its new strategic plan by hiring a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. The DEI Officer works in tandem with Indigo Arts Alliance, a local non-profit organization committed to the artistic development of people of African descent, and helps guide the college to fulfill its strategic goal to “Develop a Culture of Social Justice, Racial Equity, and Inclusion.”

Maine College of Art is seeking an Assistant/Associate Professor to carry forward these values through its Ceramics Program. Previous faculty and alumnus of the program have shown nationally and internationally, been accepted into top graduate programs, become successful educators, and started a variety of successful studios which range from pottery to product design. The ideal candidate thinks critically about the cultural context of art, craft and design and teaches students to do the same. Candidates should be familiar with contemporary issues in craft, and demonstrate a commitment to ensuring discourse includes those of historically marginalized cultures and communities.

POSITION SUMMARY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant/Associate Professor of Ceramics must be committed to graduating students with the skill sets and visual literacy required for their future success as craftspeople, visual artists and/or designers. Candidates will demonstrate excellence and innovation in their teaching, and a genuine interest in actively mentoring students. Like all full-time faculty at MECA, they will teach a 3/3 course load. In addition to Ceramics classes, teaching assignments may include Foundation courses, seminars or graduate courses as experience allows. Individualized attention and effective teaching are hallmarks of a MECA education; therefore, a genuine engagement in pedagogy with a focus on continually improving learning is required. They will also participate in program implementation and administration, including curricular development, program evaluation and assessment, and new initiatives. The Ceramics Program at MECA has a rigorous and broad curriculum that supports a professional studio education, recognizing that Ceramics is a hybrid medium which embraces a spectrum of outcomes including functional pottery and decorative vessels, sculpture and installation, and prototyping and design. The candidate should be knowledgeable of ceramic history and the significant role the medium plays in contemporary art, craft and design.

The successful candidate will initially Chair the program, providing academic vision and leadership, fostering curricular development, managing program evaluation and assessment, new initiatives, and the program’s budget. Chairs mentor and collaborate with part-time faculty as needed, and recommend part-time faculty for hire. The candidate must have the capacity to foster a positive working environment and will be a holistic thinker able to contribute to the fulfillment of the College’s mission. The Chair oversees the Ceramics studio technician and work-study students, and manages 7000 sq feet of Ceramics studio facilities, which are used by BFA elective students, BFA majors and MFA students. Facilities include rooms for clay mixing, glaze formulation, mold-making, and an indoor kiln room with 6 electric and 5 gas kilns, which include a soda and raku kiln.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will hold a terminal degree (MFA) in Ceramics or a related field. Significant college-level teaching experience in the discipline and an established record of professional accomplishment are required. Demonstrated excellence in teaching, current engagement with the profession, and knowledge of both traditional and contemporary ceramic methods of production are required, as is thorough knowledge of the field of ceramics. 

Requirements include: 

Familiarity with the full range of ceramics processes including throwing, hand building, mold making/slip casting,  Knowledge and experience with firing, maintaining and repairing electric and gas kilns,  Familiarity with a variety of clay types (earthenware, mid-range and high fire porcelain and stoneware) is necessary, as well as a comprehensive understanding of clay and glaze materials, and safe and environmentally sound studio practices, Familiarly with and/or engagement in digital fabrication technologies including 3D printing, CAD design, CNC routers, clay printers, is preferred.

The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills. Evidence of effective service, particularly regarding curriculum development, is desirable.

BENEFITS

Compensation ranges from $48,000 to $60,000, based on experience and rank. Faculty’s full-time engagement with the college typically ranges from mid-August to mid-May. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including health, dental, vacation, sick and retirement benefits. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications will be reviewed immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Candidates who submit their materials by February 21, 2021 are assured full consideration. Digital applications are required. In one PDF file not to exceed 25MB please include: (1) an application letter that describes how the candidate’s experience, accomplishments and qualifications intersect with the position; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a teaching philosophy; (4) a diversity statement; (5) a portfolio of at least 20 images in digital format, or link thereto, and 20 examples of student work in a digital format; (6) a list of technical skills; and (7) the names and contact information for four current references, one of which should be a student or former student. 

 Attach the PDF to an email and send to employment@meca.edu. Place “Ceramics Search: [Your Name]” in the Subject line. Applications will be kept confidential until such time as candidates visit campus. 

DIVERSITY

Maine College of Art recognizes that diversity is integral to the academic experience and strives to foster an inclusive culture defined by respect, equity and social responsibility. Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience in working with diverse populations, and supporting an inclusive and equitable community. Maine College of Art does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, HIV status, race, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, or military/veteran’s status in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment policies, financial aid, or other College administered programs. Candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

INSTITUTION

Maine College of Art is an independent college of art and design located in the center of the thriving arts district of Portland, Maine. Established in 1882, the College currently enrolls approximately 425 students, the majority of whom are in the undergraduate program. About 1,000 students take classes through MECA’s Continuing Studies Program annually. MECA’s Joanne Waxman Library is an important resource of art­ and design ­oriented books and periodicals for the region. The Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA is a vibrant site for the exhibition of contemporary art.

MECA is characterized by its intimate learning community, its interdisciplinary nature and the breadth of its programs. It confers the degrees of Bachelor of Fine Arts in eleven majors, Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art, Master of Arts in Teaching, and the Salt Graduate Certificate in Documentary Studies. Maine College of Art is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The College’s accreditation status with both agencies was renewed in 2016.