Assistant Professor of Studio Art - Ceramics emphasis

Position Announcement

The Department of Art at Dixie State University in St. George, Utah, invites applicants for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor in Studio Art (with a Ceramics emphasis), to begin Fall Semester 2021. The preferred candidate will teach courses in wheel thrown ceramics, hand building, clay sculpture, materials, firing methods, art education, etc.

The Art department helps students take their artistic interests and refines them into lifelong passions, offering five majors that help students thrive in a creative world. More information about the department and its associated programs and faculty can be found online at https://art.dixie.edu .

Responsibilities

• Teach 24 credit hours per academic year within the Art program, usually assigned as 12 credit hours per academic semester. Two sections of assigned courses will be in Ceramics, in a wheel based traditional functional pottery program. Also, the candidate would teach at least one section of ceramics sculpture each semester, and art methodology courses, as needed.
• Have proficiencies to teach special topics in wood firing, kiln building, glaze chemistry, and other special content courses related to the field of traditional ceramics/sculpture.
• Work with other art faculty to develop curricula that will prepare students to advance in their chosen specialization.
• Fire kilns as needed, with expertise in the ability to fire, wood, gas, and electric kilns.
• Assist in recruiting, advising, retention, and placement of students.
• Perform campus-wide faculty duties, including:
  • Holding office hours
  • Attendance at department, division, and other administrative unit meetings
  • Serve on university committees
  • Adherence to university policies
• Collaborate with other departments to develop cross-disciplinary curriculum and strategic partnerships.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• MFA, with an emphasis in ceramics, from an accredited University required.
• Three years’ experience teaching ceramics courses beyond the graduate level.
• Demonstrated successful teaching experience with academic ceramics, sculpture, kiln firing, materials, methods, etc.
• Demonstrated work focusing on proper form, function, and fundamentals of wheel thrown functional pottery.
• Ability to teach traditional ceramic sculpture and hand building.
• Proficiency in firing diverse kilns (wood, soda, gas reduction, electric, etc.)
• Demonstrate the ability to run and maintain a clean, orderly, and safe studio/kiln area environment.
• Experience using technology in the classroom.
• Strong current national exhibition record.
• Oral and written communication skills that contribute to a collaborative working environment among students, staff, and colleagues.
• Experience developing curricula and course content in art.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing curriculum, appropriate course content, and teaching under a variety of teaching situations, including day, night, and weekend courses.
• Demonstrated ability to teach a solid understanding of traditional wheel thrown pottery, ceramic materials, diverse kilns, and an extensive knowledge in the ceramics arts, and ceramics art history.
• Ability to teach traditional ceramic sculpture and hand building.
• Oral and written communication skills that contribute to a collaborative working environment among students, staff, and colleagues.
• Experience developing curriculum, appropriate course content, and teaching under a variety of teaching situations, including day, night, and weekend courses.
• Ability to teach and oversee art education and methodologies.
• Current Secondary Education license, with experience in secondary education.
• Ability and knowledge in running and maintaining a clean. Safe. inclusive studio working environment.
• Shown evidence of collaborative work with other departments and colleges.

Supplemental Information

POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: Full-time (9-month) faculty position. Faculty service begins August 2021, with pay & benefits starting July 1, 2021. Annual salary of $52,000 - $54,000, depending on qualifications & experience; additional compensation available for summer/overload teaching. Excellent benefits package included - see https://humanresources.dixie.edu/employee-benefits/ under “Example of DSU Benefits” for more details.

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Application review begins March 15, 2021 ;position open until filled. Candidates must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three professional references (including email addresses), transcripts, Artist Statement, a Student Success Statement (approximately one page, single-spaced, about their teaching or other experience, successes, and challenges in working with a diverse student population), and a digital portfolio of work, including 20 images of the applicant’s own work, and 10 images of student work. Please upload all of the requested documents when you submit your application. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and certification of required degrees and upon successfully passing a background check. If, because of a disability, you need special services or facilities in order to apply for this opening, please call the Human Resources Office (435) 652-7520.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: Dixie State University is an open, inclusive, comprehensive, polytechnic institution committed to exceptional student learning and success. DSU has adopted an instructional approach of "active learning. active life" and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. We seek faculty and staff committed to providing students with an active, applied and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered. Established in 1911 as a community college and in 2013 as a state university, DSU is located in picturesque southwestern Utah with its red rocks, desert climate, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and featuring easy access to world-class outdoor recreational opportunities. The nearest metropolitan area is Las Vegas, NV (120 miles) with amenities such as an international airport and professional sporting teams. Click here to learn more about the University.

Dixie State currently has approximately 12,000 students and has been a fast-growing Utah public institution of higher education over the last several years. We offer over 210 programs, including masters, bachelors, associates, certificates, endorsements, minors, and/or emphases. DSU seeks to recruit and retain diverse and ambitious faculty and staff who bring new ideas, possess values and career aspirations aligned with the mission and vision, and are inspired to build a premier open, inclusive, comprehensive, polytechnic university. DSU is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer; the President and employees of DSU are fully committed to Affirmative Action and within its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Dixie State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or DSU’s non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Equity Compliance / Title IX Coordinator: Hazel Sainsbury - titleix@dixie.edu , HCC 579, 435-652-7747.
• Deputy Title IX Coordinator: Abby Del Giacco - titleix@dixie.edu , 435-652-7731.

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://titleix.dixie.edu/ or contact:

• U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, ocr@ed.gov , 800-421-3481.
• U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, ocr.denver@ed.gov , 303-844-5695.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.