Assistant Professor – Video/New Media

Assistant Professor – Video/New Media

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts)

Department of Kinetic Imaging

This full-time, 9-month position is at the rank of Assistant Professor, is tenure-eligible, and begins August 16, 2022.

Application Deadline: For best consideration, applications are due Friday, January 14, 2022.

The Opportunity:

The VCUarts Department of Kinetic Imaging ( https://arts.vcu.edu/academics/departments/kinetic-imaging/ ) seeks highly qualified applicants for a tenure-eligible faculty position, focused in the area of video/new media. The successful applicant should be able to teach all areas of video, including hardware and software (Adobe Premiere), in the service of art making, including key aspects of production, post-production and dissemination. We invite candidates to apply who have a vision for video’s place in contemporary art and media with the ability to teach deeper integration with other areas, such as installation, performance, interactivity and creative coding.

Department of Kinetic Imaging:

The Department of Kinetic Imaging offers BFA and MFA degrees to students pursuing video, animation, sound, emerging media and the many hybrids and extensions of those areas. All students in the BFA program get a solid foundation in video, sound, and animation production. The curriculum allows flexibility, enabling students to focus on an area or to create a cross-disciplinary art practice. Student outcomes include: making art and media work that is meaningful, making meaningful analysis and evaluation, attaining high level of electronic and digital media technical skills, and professional preparation.

Our new colleague will contribute:

Teaching: This position is a 9-month tenure-eligible faculty position in the VCUarts Department of Kinetic Imaging with an academic rank of Assistant Professor. Instructional responsibilities comprise development and teaching of undergraduate courses and graduate courses in all areas of video, including hardware and software (Adobe Premiere), in the service of art making, including key aspects of production, post-production and dissemination, and other courses in the faculty member’s area of research specialization. Course assignments will change based on demand and will be at the discretion of the Chair.

The faculty member is expected to be a passionate video art practitioner who demonstrates the ability to engage, inspire, mentor students; contribute to MFA committees; integrate innovative pedagogical and technological approaches, and multicultural perspectives into instructional methods; foster collaborative teaching and educational opportunities through diverse and innovative projects, curriculum, and experiences; and promote the efforts of the department in the university and throughout the community. In support of the department’s strong commitment to diversity, the faculty member is expected to foster a welcoming, equitable, and accessible learning environment for all students.

Research: The faculty member’s creative research activity should make a significant contribution to a body of knowledge within video/new media or a cognate field and reflect a high standard of quality. The faculty member will be expected to seek external funding, as appropriate, to advance their creative research agenda. The faculty member must demonstrate an active professional career and scholarly activities related to the program’s curriculum, and be consistent with and support the broader mission and initiatives of the department, School, and University. Candidates who can demonstrate a dynamic, active, and ambitious artistic practice that may include screening, exhibition, performance, collaboration and an ability and interest in continued investigations into video and/or new media’s role in the past, present and future of art and technology are strongly encouraged to apply.

Service: As a member of a community-oriented, tight-knit department and School, the faculty member will provide service such as assisting with student, department, and school-wide initiatives; contributing to discussions that support the student community and the administration at each level; support recruitment initiatives for undergraduate and graduate programs; fostering community engagement opportunities; and serving on department/School/University committees. In addition, the faculty member is expected to serve as a peer reviewer, organizer of conferences and/or conference sessions, and to retain membership in professional associations and provide professional service. Other responsibilities may be assigned by the Chair or university administration.

Minimum Qualifications:

· MA/MFA in the field of Video Art and/or Emerging Media and additional training and/or professional experience that equates to and/or parallels the artistic and technical development expected in a terminal degree holder

· Demonstrated competency in all aspects of video production and ability to teach editing with Adobe Premiere

· Knowledge of the history of video art and related fields

· A demonstrated ability to teach classes or demonstrated oral communication and presentation skills on the topics of video and new media

· Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse and inclusive faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

· Must have strong collaboration skills, and demonstrate enthusiasm toward teaching and working with faculty, staff and students within the university; and to building and maintaining professional relationships outside of the university on the program’s behalf

· Show high potential for sustained scholarship and creative production in the field

· A minimum of four semesters of experience as an instructor of record in teaching undergraduate courses at an accredited institution of higher learning

· A demonstrated potential for active university service

· A grasp of academic responsibilities

· Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an inclusive faculty, staff, and student.

Preferred Qualifications:

· An established creative practice and/or training with a national and/or international record of exhibition or performance

· Demonstrate, through their teaching philosophy or record, an ability to mentor undergraduate and graduate students to foster collaboration, experimentation, and innovation across departments

· A demonstrated ability to teach classes at the graduate level

Application Instructions:

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion – an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. VCUarts strongly encourages applications from all racial, ethnic, gender, and social identities.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences, and academic and professional activities will impact your contribution to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion.

Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research and scholarship that promotes equity and parity; teaching and mentoring students, and/or engaging with faculty and/or staff from traditionally underrepresented groups to create a positive and successful organizational experience. For additional guidance on writing a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: https://provost.vcu.edu/faculty/prospective/.

In addition, the following documents should submitted online via the VCU Jobs Website to the attention of Erin Freeman, search committee Chair:

· A Letter of Interest that conveys relevant academic and professional experience and describes experiences and/or professional service that inform a collaborative and community-engaged approach to video/new media

· Teaching Philosophy

· Current CV

· A list of three current references including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses (references will not be contacted prior to applicant’s approval)

· Portfolio of work— a link to appropriate selections of documentation of the applicant's experience in their area of expertise. This could include traditional and/or non-traditional examples of one's work from a broad cross-section and/or combination of experience.

Only electronic applications submitted via the VCU Jobs Website will be accepted. For best consideration, completed applications are due by Friday, January 14, 2022. Questions about the VCU Jobs Website application process should be directed to Tasia Robinson, HR Administrator at thompsontl5@vcu.edu .

VCUarts :

Ranked by US News & World Report as a top-five arts and design school, VCUarts ( arts.vcu.edu ) includes over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students with nationally recognized programs in design, visual and performing arts, and has an annual budget of $38 million and an endowment of more than $13.5 million. Students are taught by over 175 full-time teaching and research faculty members and the school is supported by over 50 staff members that assist in daily processes. The School includes two campuses; one in Richmond and one in Doha, Qatar. The Richmond campus is located on the university’s 75-acre Monroe Park campus situated in the city’s historic Fan District. Ultimately, the work of the School of the Arts extends globally with partnerships throughout the world and across fields as diverse as the humanities, health care and business.

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to providing accessible and equitable living, learning and working environments free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability.

Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 100%
Tenure: Tenure Track
Rank: Assistant Professor
Months: 9
Department: School of the Arts (VCUarts), Kinetic Imaging

Salary: Commensurate with Experience