Associate Professor and Professor of Contemporary Art

The Oslo National Academy of the Arts is the largest academic institution for artists and designers in Norway. It consists of six departments: the Academy of Dance, the Academy of Fine Art, the Academy of Opera, the Academy of Theatre, the Art and Craft department and the Design department. The academy offers a range of Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes within these fields, and the school’s professional staff is actively engaged in teaching, artistic research, academic research and public presentation. The academy is located in a converted sail factory right by the Akerselva in central Oslo.

The Academy of Fine Art offers a Bachelor’s and a Master’s programme in the visual arts. Research fellows engaged in artistic research are also affiliated with the academy. The Academy of Fine Art currently has 18 academic staff, over 80 guest teachers from Norway and abroad, students (BA and MA) and four PhD candidates. The Academy of Fine Art cooperates with several institutions both nationally and internationally. Visit our website.

About the position
The Academy is currently recruiting for a vacant 50–75 percent position as Associate Professor/Professor of Contemporary Art. The final percentage will be determined according to the Academy’s priorities after the applicant has been evaluated. (Please state specific preferences in your application.) The role is a fixed-term position for six years with the possibility of extension for a further period after public announcement.

We are looking for an artist with a sustained practice and an in-depth knowledge of their field of practice while having the ability to work and engage across different disciplines. An investment in issues of diversity and social justice including a component of public, participatory or social engagement is expected. We welcome hybrid approaches, however the candidate should cover one or more of the areas listed below:

Practicing artists with a practice focusing on digital media and cultures (can include different artistic media and formats). Practicing artists with a practice focusing on postcolonial, deconial or indigenous perspectives and histories (can include artistic practices reflecting indigenous practices and histories, nonwestern perspectives and histories, practices related to the Global South, global ecologies, etc.).

The work tasks will include in-person teaching across the BA and MA programme, research, evaluations, jury and committee work, support production of student exhibitions, seminars and related events, as well as participation in administrative tasks relating to the Academy as a whole and his or her field of responsibility. The associate professor/professor reports to the dean.

A central task will be to participate in the efforts to further develop the Academy’s profile and research in contemporary art practice, together with the dean, academic staff and programme coordinators. The employee is expected to actively participate in the department’s strategic development and contribute to a flexible use of the department’s overall resources. It is also expected that the employee contributes to academic debates, both internally and publicly, and help to promote the institution externally through maintaining and developing professional networks locally, nationally and internationally. 

The following qualifications are required:
–For the application of Professor: Extensive artistic experience of a recent date at the highest level according to international standards, including documented artistic activity and/or research experience with relevant breadth and depth in the specific area announced for this position
–For the application of Associate Professor: Extensive artistic experience of a recent date including documented artistic activity and/or research experience at a high international level within the area of specialization as described for this position
–Education at minimum master degree level within the relevant field or comparable standards
–Documented teaching experience and expertise in relevant educational theory and practice
–Experience with various educational formats (self-organised/non-academic formats are also qualifying)
–In-depth knowledge of current developments of the Nordic and/or international contemporary art scene
–International network and experience of collaborating with educational institutions and platforms
–Strong pedagogical skills and a disposition to inspire students
–Fluency in English

The teaching languages at The Oslo National Academy of the Arts are Norwegian, Scandinavian and English. The person appointed to the position is expected to be able to gain basic skills in Norwegian within two years from starting employment. In addition to professional competences, emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

Personal qualities:
–Ability to contribute to a stimulating learning environment and social climate at the Academy
–Ability to inspire trust, enthusiasm, reflection and critical thinking among students
–Good collaborative skills, clear communication, and ability to work independently

Participation in regular academic staff meetings is mandatory. For part-time positions, workdays and hours will be determined according to local priorities and in discussion with the dean. The position might be subject to change due to future development of the study program. Applicants are required to describe and document their entire range of qualifications and criteria set out in the job application with concrete examples. Both application and cover letter must be submitted in English.

An expert committee, appointed by the Academy, will assess the applicants’ qualifications. Only applications and documentation submitted by the application deadline will be considered by the committee. The appointment committee for professional positions is the appointing authority. The qualified applicant may be asked to hold a trial lecture and/or conduct a trial tutorial.

In addition to professional experience, emphasis will also be placed on how the applicant’s areas of expertise aligns with the existing or anticipated needs and visions of the department as well as the personal qualities.

There are extensive requirements for documentation in the application. Please include the following:
–Motivation
–Describe your own practice in relation to the position
–Reflection on your teaching philosophy and previous teaching experiences
–Example of one to three courses/workshops held previously
–CV including artistic practice and documented teaching experience
–PDF with no more than 15 artistic projects to assess in relation to the position (links to time-based works can be included)

The applicant must submit a comprehensive overview of relevant professional experience to the position. The expert committee will only assess up to 15 artistic projects, which should be submitted as one pdf file. The applicant must attach an overview of submitted documents to be considered in the assessment process. It is possible to upload links to websites with documentation of artistic practice/curatorial projects.
Application letter, CVs, certificates, diplomas and other documentation must be submitted via our online recruiting tool Jobbnorge. Additional optional material or documentation can be sent by post in 4 copies and must be submitted to HR advisor Cathrine Følstad by the application deadline. Address: Cathrine Følstad, Kunsthøgskolen i Oslo, Postboks 6853 St. Olavs plass, 0130 Oslo.

We offer:
A stimulating local and international working environment. Salary (brutto) 543,500–650,300 NOK for 100 percent position Associate Professor and 650,300–825,900 NOK for 100 percent Professor position, 30 percent research time in the position.

In accordance with the Public Service Pension Fund Act (lov om Statens Pensjonskasse), two percent of your salary is automatically deducted and deposited into the State Pension Fund. Notice that eligibility for rights to welfare benefits from the National Insurance Scheme and the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund normally requires membership in the National Insurance Scheme, and that this is usually the case if a person resides in Norway. The appointed associate professor/professor must respect the laws and regulations that apply for the governmental and the higher education sector in Norway, and should be prepared for organisational and work related changes at Oslo Academy of the Arts.
In accordance with the Oslo National Academy of the Arts equal opportunities policy, we invite applications from all interested individuals regardless of gender or ethnicity. According to Norwegian Law “Offentlighetsloven section 25.2 ledd”, the applicant’s name can be published although the applicant can request not to be included in the public list of applicants.

Contact information:
For questions regarding the position contact Dean Sarah Lookofsky, email saralook [​at​] khio.no or call T +47 45 86 77 36. For questions related to submission of application material, contact HR advisor Cathrine Følstad, cathfols [​at​] khio.no or call T +47 92 28 95 22.

Application deadline: January 5, 2022. Working place: Oslo. Starting date: upon agreement, the position is vacant from August 1, 2022. To apply for the job visit here.