Assistant Professor of Northwest Coast Native Arts

Position Summary:

Our campuses reside on the unceded territories of the Áakʼw Ḵwáan, Taantʼá Ḵwáan, and Sheetkʼá Ḵwáan on Lingít Aaní, also known as Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka, Alaska, adjacent to the ancestral home of the X̱aadas and Ts’msyen and we commit to serving their peoples with equity and care. The Department of Humanities at the University of Alaska Southeast invites applications for a faculty member of Northwest Coast Indigenous Arts (Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literary Arts, Critique & Theory) that will be located on the Áakʼw Campus in Juneau, Alaska. This is a tenure-track position with a focus on teaching lecture-based courses in the areas of Northwest Coast Indigenous art history, theory, and practice. Rank (instructor, assistant professor or associate professor) will be dependent upon artistic and academic experience.

 

 

Duties:

 

This position with a focus on teaching lecture-based courses in the areas of Northwest Coast Indigenous art history, theory, and practice. This position is charged with co-managing and growing the Northwest Coast Indigenous Arts program, with program offerings that align with associate and baccalaureate-level Indigenous Studies degrees already in place at UAS. In addition, the position will develop program-related spaces and activities that foster a positive and productive artistic atmosphere, to include visiting artists, an artist in residence program, and studio spaces.This position will include collaborative partnerships with local regional school districts to enhance Career Pathways and dual enrollment opportunities.

 

This is a regular (9-month per year), tenure-track faculty position with a competitive salary and excellent package of benefits. In addition, summer employment may be available. This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit agreement.

The Department of Humanities openly embraces diversity and inclusivity, and seeks candidates who will create a climate that attracts students of all races, genders, classes, sexualities, nationalities, religions, and abilities. The University of Alaska Southeast is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse workforce. We are connected statewide with other Alaska Native faculty through the Alaska Native Studies Council and nationwide through the Coalition of Native American Native Language Schools and Programs. In the area of Northwest Coast Native Arts, UAS currently has active partnerships with Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Institute of American Indian Arts (Santa Fe).

Located in the ancestral homeland of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples, the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) is fully committed to advancing the education and research aspirations of Indigenous peoples and is committed to ongoing work toward decolonization. These efforts are reflected in our UAS programs and formal community partnerships across our three campuses and throughout all of Southeast Alaska.

Required Education and Experience:

Relevant experience in teaching and or research in the areas of Northwest Coast Indigenous Arts.

PREFERRED:
Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field or an associate degree with relevant work experience.

Specific training, experience or education in Northwest Coast Indigenous Arts.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

- The ideal candidate will have established connections to Alaska Native communities, organizations, and ways of knowing with a demonstrated commitment to decolonization and Indigenous empowerment. This position will include collaborative partnerships with local regional school districts to enhance Career Pathways and dual enrollment opportunities. Candidates should demonstrate ability or strong potential for program co-management and connection with students and community partners.

- The successful candidate must show potential for, or evidence of: demonstrated content mastery in Northwest Coast Indigenous Arts— especially the significance of cultural practices, the ability to teach artist career development and Northwest Coast Indigenous Arts theory and practice, and experience with multiple forms of course delivery methods including face-to-face, remote and hybrid.

- The successful candidate must also show potential for, or evidence of: a student-centered commitment to teaching excellence, evidence of collaboration across disciplines, an active research agenda or strong publication record, the ability to develop art programs and curriculum, and an understanding of decolonizing institutions through a re-centering of Indigenous knowledge systems.

Instructions to Apply: 

Please attach: Curriculum vitae; cover letter; contact information for three professional references; Artist or scholar statement; examples of current artistic or academic work in Northwest Coast Indigenous Arts; philosophy of teaching statement. 

To ensure consideration in the initial review, please apply by 11:55PM Alaska Time on Sunday, April 17, 2022. Review of applications will begin on Monday, April 18th, 2022. This recruitment will remain open until filled.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants bust be legally authorized for unrestricted employment in the United States. No work visas will be sponsored for this position.

Union Representation:

This position is represented by United Academics-AAUP/AFT (UNAC).

Reasonable Accommodation Statement:

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

Affirmative Action Statement:

UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination

Background Check:

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Public Disclosure Statement:

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

University of Alaska is a Drug-Free Workplace.

University of Alaska campuses are Tobacco-Free.

Training Policy:

It is the policy of the University of Alaska (UA) that all employees are required to complete training to meet the requirements of the positions they hold, and to complete the required training within a specified period to remain employed at the UA.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact University of Alaska HR at 907-450-8200.