Seeking Head of Fiber Department & artist-in-residence (faculty)

Cranbrook Academy of Art, ranked nationally as one of the top graduate programs in art, architecture and design, is now accepting applications for the Head of Department/artist-in-residence (faculty) in Fiber.  This position requires a forward-facing vision for the Department that embraces a broad range of perspectives, from traditional forms of production in art, craft, and design to social practice and community-based projects.

The Academy is a unique educational model, free from conventional classes. Instead of a fixed curriculum, we provide a self-directed approach to graduate education that centers the questions and interests of artists who choose to come here as they strive to make sense of an ever-changing world.

The Academy is comprised of eleven departments, with roughly 15 students each across 2D Design, 3D Design, 4D Design, Architecture, Ceramics, Fiber, Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Print Media, and Sculpture. The Head of the Department & Artist-in-Residence is the single leader of their program areas. They are given the autonomy to determine the department’s pedagogy and the responsibility for its success.

Primary responsibilities of this position include mentorship and teaching as well as administration of their respective departments (recruiting, budgets, curating visiting artists, guiding travel experiences, etc.). Candidates for this position must be unusually well qualified to provide open, independent learning, resulting in rigorous production, critique, and discussion. It is expected that the Head of Department & Artist-in-Residence will also maintain an active and visible professional practice, which is seen as central to the larger academic model. The Head of Department & Artist-in-Residence is provided with a private studio, housing on campus, and benefits in addition to salary.  Successful candidates for this position must hold a terminal degree in fiber or a related field, with a sustained record of professional activity; preferred 5 years or more of college-level teaching with dedicated experience at the graduate level; excellent communication and leadership skills; the ability to foster an inclusive, diverse, and equitable learning environment; and the capacity to make a significant contribution to the field and Academy. 

Through its unique educational model, Cranbrook Academy of Art has inspired and achieved substantial artistic, educational, and institutional impact since it was founded in 1932. The Academy of Art is part of the larger Cranbrook Educational Community, situated on a 300-acre campus located just outside of Detroit.  Founded by George G. Booth and designed by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen, Cranbrook is a community of educators, artists, architects, and designers, living and working together. Over the years, significant new buildings have been commissioned as the institution has evolved, from architects including Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, Rafael Moneo, and Steven Holl, among others. Listed as a National Historic Landmark, the highly celebrated campus continues to inspire people today through its remarkable beauty and sense of purpose. Comprising the Cranbrook Art Museum, the Center for Collections and Research, the Institute of Science and a private school serving students from kindergarten through high school, the Cranbrook community offers a singularly unique backdrop for teaching and learning.

The position commences in September 2023. Applications consist of two pieces: a single PDF document and a completed Cranbrook Faculty Application form. Cranbrook Faculty Application Form can be found here. 

The PDF should contain a cover letter, a statement that outlines your approach to teaching at the graduate level, an overview of your vision for the department, and a statement on how your teaching supports an inclusive and diverse community. Supplemental materials must include a curriculum vitae, name and email contact for three references, a portfolio of the candidates’ work (20 image samples) and links to relevant websites and projects. The PDF should be labeled as FirstInitial.LastName.pdf.

Applications received by November 1, 2022, will be given priority consideration.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and materials should be sent to humanresources [​at​] cranbrook.edu.   

Please visit the following websites for more information about Cranbrook Academy of Art and the larger resources of the Cranbrook Educational Community: Cranbrook Academy of Art / Cranbrook Art Museum / Cranbrook Educational Community.

Cranbrook Academy of Art statement of non-discrimination: Cranbrook is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse work environment. Cranbrook Academy of Art does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by local, state or federal law in its programs and activities.