Cluster hire in Studio Art

The Newcomb Art Department at Tulane University invites applications for two full-time, tenure-track assistant professor positions in studio art, as well as an advanced assistant or associate professor of African art history. The Newcomb Art department is one of the oldest art departments in the South, founded as part of the first degree-granting college for women in the US, and fully incorporated into Tulane University in 1987. The department is at an exciting moment in its trajectory and committed to expanding on its commitment to reflecting the transnational networks of the contemporary art world and building on our connections to our culturally diverse and profoundly creative home city of New Orleans, itself a global cultural capital. Tulane’s Strategy for Tomorrow outlines the university’s commitment to support a diverse and equitable community both professionally and personally. The School of Liberal Arts has echoed these values by underlining equity in hiring processes and emphasizing mentoring, faculty support, and belonging. The Newcomb Art Department embraces this commitment.

Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in Studio Art (2D)
We are searching for a collaborative faculty member in Studio Art (2D) with experience in teaching in one or more of the following areas: interdisciplinary foundations courses, painting, drawing, figure-drawing, 2D design, experimental drawing, collage, photography, printmaking, or combinations of these areas. The ideal candidate will possess a strong commitment to teaching and employ an integrated approach to cultivating artistic practice across traditional and emerging modalities in their classroom. Artist-teachers whose research and practice engage with social and environmental justice, decolonization, ecology, the nature of representation, experimental technologies, artificial intelligence, or any new form of practice that contributes to the expanded field of interdisciplinary two-dimensional work will be of particular interest. The application is open here.

Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in Studio Art (3D)
We are searching for a collaborative faculty member in Studio Art (3D) with experience in teaching one or more of the following areas: sculpture, 3D design fundamentals, woodworking, metalworking, installation, casting, fiber arts, and/or digital fabrication. This faculty member will supervise one or more studio spaces including a fully equipped wood shop (overseen by a full-time manager), a metals area/foundry, mixed media space, glass/hot casting area, and digital fabrication equipment. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in teaching sculpture/3D media and employ an integrated approach to cultivating artistic practice across traditional and emerging modalities in their classroom. Artist-teachers whose research and practice engage with social and environmental justice, decolonization, ecology, the nature of representation, experimental technologies, artificial intelligence, or any new form of practice that contributes to the expanded field of interdisciplinary three-dimensional work will be of particular interest. The application is open here. 

Full-time faculty teach undergraduate and graduate-level studio classes, seminars, and consistently serve on BFA and MFA committees within the interdisciplinary art environment of these programs. Tenure-track faculty members are expected to maintain active professional careers and participate in ongoing curricular development, departmental administration, and school governance. The courseload for each of these positions is 2:2.

Salary and benefits are competitive with peer institutions and commensurate with quality of practice, scholarship, academic research, extent of teaching experience, and current professional standing.  

Responsibilities
–Teach two courses per semester in both fall and spring semesters, including lower-level foundations courses. This faculty member will also coordinate teaching with graduate teaching assistants and adjunct faculty.
–Supervise/conduct individual studies with graduate students, as well as serve on graduate thesis committees.
–Contribute to curricular revision and development to build a progressive, innovative, and destination arts program.
–Contribute to the safe and effective supervision of the studio facilities in their discipline, in concert with other colleagues and staff as available. This may include repair / replacement of equipment, supervision of student workers, managing material inventories, etc.
–Support our students in developing creative works as part of a socially and culturally engaged research university.
–Conduct scholarly work (research and/or creative activity), with an active exhibition record and recognition in the field.
–Participate in service activities within the Newcomb Art Department, the School of Liberal Arts, and the University.

Requirements
–MFA, PhD or equivalent terminal degree
–Teaching experience beyond graduate assistant teaching, preferably two years or more
–Ongoing studio practice and peer-reviewed achievements/exhibition record.
–Knowledge in one or more areas of Studio Art, or inter- / trans-disciplinary art practices, in both contemporary and historical contexts.
–Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively.
–Service and community engagement are highly desirable.
–Leadership experience or potential is highly desirable.
–Evidence of equitable considerations, awareness, and practice with regard to curricula development, inclusive practices in educating diverse student bodies or working with a diverse faculty and staff, along with evidence of working collectively to cultivate a culture that supports success and enables all members of a college community to thrive.

About the Newcomb Art Department
The Newcomb Art Department at Tulane University is devoted to the study and production of visual art within the context of Tulane University’s strong tradition in the liberal arts. The Art Department fosters a collaborative and rigorous environment that promotes creative and critical inquiry, exploration, and innovation in studio arts practice. The Department emphasizes a multi-disciplinary approach to contemporary art-making and supports myriad forms of expression with concentrations in Sculpture, Glass, Ceramics, Photography, Printmaking, Digital Arts and Painting & Drawing.

Located in New Orleans, a vibrant and culturally rich city in the Gulf South, the Newcomb Art Department draws from a diverse and exciting range of artistic and cultural production. Local resources for artists include Prospect New Orleans (an international art triennial), the Joan Mitchell Center, the Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans, the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and the Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University. New Orleans is also home to vibrant artist-run gallery spaces in the St. Claude Avenue Arts District, as well as a cluster of commercial galleries on Julia Street and in Uptown New Orleans.

Application information
Applicants are encouraged to apply by November 30 for full consideration. Please submit application materials via Interfolio and Slideroom. You will be asked to create an account after which time you may complete the application, which consists of fill-in fields and required documents to upload. You are encouraged to begin the application well before the priority deadline. Applications will not be accepted after December 15. 

Please convert all word documents into PDFs before uploading. Required files to upload include:   

–Cover letter stating your interests and qualifications, as well as your teaching experience and potential future courses 
–Resume or curriculum vitae  
–Artist statement 
–PDF Portfolio with 20 examples of creative work (ten mb limit); identify the title, date, media, and size of each work. For video, please include working links; each sample should be no more than five minutes in length.

If selected for a Zoom interview, the Department will ask the applicant for the following additional materials at that point:

–Diversity Statement  
–Statement of teaching philosophy including details on how your teaching has supported the success of students from racial, ethnic, gender, and/or socio-economic backgrounds that are underrepresented in your academic field  
–Two sample syllabi for a 15-week studio course that would reflect your own research and creative interests
–PDF portfolio with 20 examples of student work (ten mb limit); identify the title, date, media, size, and course level for each example.
–A list of three professional references and their contact info

Tulane University is committed to creating a community and culture that fosters a sense of belonging for all. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. We are intentionally seeking candidates who are committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in support of Tulane’s Strategy for Tomorrow.

Tulane University 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 the Office of Human Resources & Institutional Equity by phone at T +1 504 865 4748 or email hr [​at​] tulane.edu.