Scholar-in-Residence - Writing Center - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts - (ADJ000505)

The Creative Writing Program at the University of Houston, in conjunction with the School of Art and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, announces a two-year, post-graduate fellowship program in Creative Writing and the Arts beginning the 2021-2022 academic year. The opportunity is open to any practice in Creative Writing (e.g., Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction). Candidates will work alongside faculty in the Creative Writing Program and with their peer fellows in the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts.

The Mitchell Fellow is an honored award to a post-graduate candidate of the highest caliber in their respective field. Mitchell Fellows are supported by the Mitchell Center to engage in interdisciplinary methods of inquiry as well as dialogue, consult and collaborate with faculty, students and schools across the UH campus. Fellows will engage with the programs of the Mitchell Center and regularly meet with the other Fellows. The ideal candidate is one whose work/research supports the mission of the Mitchell Center and can cross over to teach Interdisciplinary Arts courses, particularly the arts in society, and specifically within Houston.

The Mitchell Fellow in Creative Writing is required to meet regularly with the Director of the CWMC with the other CWM Fellows (in Music, Theatre/Dance, Curatorial, and Visual Arts) to address how the Fellows’ activities can best address the goals and vision of the CWMC. In addition, the fellow will conduct research in their field and mentor graduate students in that field. The Fellow will teach one course per semester in the Creative Writing Program, to be decided in discussion with the Director of Creative Writing.

1. Salary Stipend: $43,500/annually

2. Teaching load: 1/1. Course should be cross-listed with IART program whenever appropriate; at least one class will be in the IART coursework.

3. Must have terminal degree in hand at the start of the fellowship (either MFA or PhD in Creative Writing).

4. Two-year appointment.

Applicants must work in two or more artistic disciplines OR have clear interdisciplinary research interests they wish to pursue while a fellow . They must submit a statement on how interdisciplinary practice/research informs their work   or what they hope to pursue or expand through interdisciplinary methods and inquiry. We welcome candidates whose experience in teaching, research, or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence.  

Other Responsibilities:

• Meet regularly with the other CWMC Fellows and the Director of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center to plan activities with this group that highlight collaboration, to conduct research in their field and mentor graduate students in that field, and to participate in CWMC activities.
• Annually create and execute one community engagement event through CWMCAS and coordinate documentation of the project for CWMCAS archives. This can be related to any of the programs in the schedule of the Center such as Artist in Residence or Lecture series.
• Attend monthly meetings during the academic year with cohort of Mitchell Fellows in CWMC offices to provide updates on work and develop collaborations
• A ttend all CWMC events, and serve as community ambassadors for the Mitchell Center

Please submit with your application:

• A one-page statement of purpose.
• An interdisciplinary arts class proposal and sample syllabus of this prospective class.
• A narrative that describes your teaching and presents your teaching evaluations (quantitative summary, relevant student comments) and/or a letter from a Creative Writing professor who has observed your class.
• A C.V.
• A sample of your creative work. For prose, up to 15 pages; for poetry, five poems.

The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Additionally, the University prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Qualifications :

Must have terminal degree in hand at the start of the fellowship (either MFA or PhD in Creative Writing).

Notes to Applicant: Official transcripts are required for appointment and will be requested upon selection of the final candidate. All positions at the university are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.