Lecturer in Printmaking and Drawing

The Department of Visual Arts at Union College seeks applications for a full-time lecturer position (three-year contract with possibility of renewal) in Printmaking, beginning September 1, 2023. 

Primary responsibilities include instruction and advising of undergraduate students, curriculum development, and service on departmental and college committees. We are looking for an artist with comprehensive knowledge of traditional printmaking techniques including Relief Printing, Engraving, Etching, Aquatint, Monotype, and Lithography, as well as an interest in and technical knowledge of digital and other contemporary printmaking practices. This position teaches half of our Department’s Drawing curriculum, shared with our Painting professor. As such, the ideal applicant will also have experience teaching both beginning and advanced Drawing courses. The Visual Arts Department supports a new General Education curriculum with increased focus on Global Challenges and Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Difference in our Creative Arts and Design courses. Candidates who demonstrate engagement with contemporary issues and diverse perspectives in their scholarly work and/or in the classroom are especially encouraged to apply (see https://www.union.edu/common-curriculum/general-education-union for more information).

Union College is on the trimester system with three 10-week terms and a teaching load of two in-person courses in each term (six contact hours per week per course, six courses per year). Lecturers have additional co-curricular responsibilities including management, maintenance, and ongoing development of the printmaking studio, and oversight of the printmaking budget and materials. There is also the opportunity to participate in our Department’s Gallery program by curating occasional exhibitions in our Crowell and West Galleries, as well as in smaller exhibition spaces throughout campus.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Master of Fine Arts degree from an accredited institution. Minimum two years of experience teaching Printmaking at the college level. Strong exhibition record with evidence of an active ongoing studio practice. Demonstrated experience with: Relief Printing, Engraving, Etching, Aquatint, Monotype, Lithography, and Drawing. Willingness to manage the Printmaking curriculum and budget.

Compensation
Union College is a small, highly selective undergraduate institution located in the Capital District of New York. Union offers competitive salaries, research support, and an exceptional benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision insurance, and life and disability coverage. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.union.edu/human-resources/benefits. Lecturers are eligible to go up for senior lecturer after 6 years at the college.

Union College is an equal opportunity employer and strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social and personal development of a diverse community. Increasing diversity on campus is a critical priority for Union College, one that is integral to our mission of preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Our goal is not only to increase diversity but also to support a diverse environment in which people from varied backgrounds can succeed and thrive. We strongly encourage applications from members of traditionally underrepresented groups. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin and veteran status.

Additional Information
The renovation of the Feigenbaum Center for the Visual Arts in 2016 doubled the size of the printmaking studio, which is now located on the second floor. The studio overlooks Jackson’s Garden, the oldest cultivated garden on an American college campus. The Printmaking studio includes multiple presses, an aquatint box, acid room, printmaking darkroom, graining sink, and a flat file room. Digital fabrication equipment such as a large format CNC router, 3D printers, laser cutter and water jet cutter are also available for the Printmaking program and have been used in the past for small- and large-scale woodblock printing.

The Visual Arts Department at Union College is composed of five Studio faculty and four Art History faculty, each with individual expertise in their disciplines. All Union Visual Arts Majors must take one printmaking course as part of their four required introductory courses: Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Photography. Each studio faculty oversees senior theses in their discipline.

Union College recognizes the rich possibilities of interdisciplinary studies by offering many opportunities for both faculty and students to engage with multiple disciplines - and each other - in collaborative classroom settings, innovative majors, and unique research initiatives. The successful hire can develop courses in their area of expertise, including new courses that may collaborate with other disciplines across the college. Previous interdisciplinary courses taught by our Printmaking professor emerita include The Illustrated Organism, co-taught with a Biology professor, and Japanese Edo Prints, co-taught with our professor of Asian Art History. A complete list of interdisciplinary programs can be found at: https://www.union.edu/interdisciplinary-studies.

Union College is located in Schenectady, New York, a dynamic historic city that borders Albany, Troy, and Saratoga Springs, each with a burgeoning art scene. The Capital District is home to numerous contemporary art galleries, museums, historic sites, and performing arts venues. The Adirondacks, Catskills, Hudson Valley, and Berkshires are all within an hour from campus; the Schenectady Amtrak is three hours from New York City.

Application Instructions
The deadline for submitting applications is January 18, 2023. Please visit jobs.union.edu to register for access to the application portal. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Please include:

• Cover Letter including a brief artist statement
• Curriculum Vitae /Resume
• A statement on teaching, which should include a discussion of teaching philosophy, teaching practice and experience, and a discussion of the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in pedagogy.
• Two syllabi from undergraduate courses (in one PDF or link to a website) Portfolio of recent professional work (20 images maximum, in one PDF or link to a website). Each image should include title, date, media, and dimensions.
• Examples of student work, ideally from the courses mentioned above (20 images maximum, in one PDF or link to a website). Each image should include course name, date, and assignment.
• Three references. You will be asked to include the names and contact information for three references through our online application system at jobs.union.edu. An email will be sent automatically requesting references requesting a letter of recommendation.

Note: All new hires of Union College are subject to a thorough education, work experience, and criminal history background check