ACASA — Arts Council of the African Studies Association

REMINDER: CALL FOR APPLICATIONS AFRICAN CRITICAL INQUIRY PROGRAMME IVAN KARP DOCTORAL RESEARCH AWARDS FOR AFRICAN STUDENTS IN SOUTH AFRICAN Ph.D. PROGRAMMES Deadline 1 May 2025

January 13, 2025 By Ashley Stewart

Applications are open for African Critical Inquiry Programme’s 2025 Ivan Karp
Doctoral Research Awards to support African doctoral students in humanities and
humanistic social sciences at South African universities conducting relevant dissertation
research. ACIP seeks to advance inquiry and debate about the roles and practice of
public culture, public cultural institutions, and public scholarship in shaping identities and
society in Africa. Ivan Karp Awards are open to African postgraduate students
registered in South African PhD programmes working on topics related to ACIP=s focus.
Maximum award ZAR 50,000.
For full information see ACIP Opportunities at
http://www.graduateschool.emory.edu/about/special/acip.html.
ACIP is a partnership between Centre for Humanities Research at University of Western
Cape and Laney Graduate School of Emory University

REMINDER: AFRICAN CRITICAL INQUIRY PROGRAMME CALL FOR PROPOSALS TO ORGANISE A WORKSHOP Deadline Thursday 1 May 2025

January 13, 2025 By Ashley Stewart

The African Critical Inquiry Programme (ACIP) invites proposals from scholars
and/or practitioners in public cultural institutions in South Africa to organise a workshop
in 2026. ACIP seeks to advance inquiry and debate about the roles and practice of
public culture, public cultural institutions, and public scholarship in shaping identities
and society in Africa. Applications may be submitted by experienced scholars and
cultural practitioners at universities, museums, and other cultural organizations in South
Africa who want to create or reinvigorate interdisciplinary, cross-institutional
engagement and understanding and are committed to training future scholarpractitioners.
Maximum award ZAR 75,000.
For full information, see ACIP Opportunities at
http://www.graduateschool.emory.edu/about/special/acip.html.
ACIP is a partnership of Centre for Humanities Research at University of Western Cape
and Laney Graduate School of Emory University

Deadline Thursday 1 May 2025

Visiting Assistant Professor of the History of African Visual and Material Cultures in the Department of Art History at Skidmore College

January 9, 2025 By Ashley Stewart

The Department of Art History at Skidmore College invites applications for a two-year position as Visiting Assistant Professor of the history of African visual and material cultures.

Art History is a collegial department invested in curricular diversity, innovative pedagogy, and strong support for newly hired faculty. We seek a colleague who can offer introductory and intermediate courses spanning a range of periods, cultures, and media as well as advanced courses in areas of specialization. Welcome areas of expertise include architecture, museum studies, and contemporary art. The position carries a teaching load of 18 credits (typically five courses) per year.

Independent teaching experience is required.

The application must include a cover letter, CV, two sample syllabi (preferably at different curricular levels), a sample assignment (with stated learning goals), and names and contact information for three references. It also must include a separate statement explaining how the candidate’s teaching interests and pedagogy engage issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, both in the topics and materials that students study and in the classroom environment. Please provide specific examples.

The application portal can be accessed here.

Skidmore is a highly selective liberal arts college that fosters creative approaches to teaching and learning. With its relatively small size and student-faculty ratio, the College is a close-knit academic community. Skidmore’s faculty of teacher-scholars are devoted to the instruction and mentoring of approximately 3,000 talented undergraduates from some 47 states and 46 countries.

Application review will begin on January 27, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.

Pay Rate: $64000-$68000

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

Prior relevant work or industry experience.
Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
Academic discipline (faculty pay ranges reflect 9-month annual salary).
Unique applicable skills.

EEO STATEMENT

Skidmore College is committed to being an inclusive campus community and, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, dating violence, or stalking, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Employment at Skidmore College is contingent upon an acceptable background check result.

https://eodq.fa.us6.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/2218/?utm_medium=jobshare

Current Events – Cleveland Museum of Art Lecture on “West and Central African Arts, Colonialism, and Pablo Picasso”

January 4, 2025 By Ashley Stewart

A standing wooden sculpture with arms raised and metal nails in its body

Male figure (nkisi nkondi), late 1800s-early 1900s. Democratic Republic of Congo or Cabinda (Angola), Kongo artist and nganga (priest). 2010.432

Lecture: West and Central African Arts, Colonialism, and Pablo Picasso.
Venue: Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Date: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at noon

Join ACASA member and Cleveland Museum of Art curator of African arts Kristen Windmuller-Luna for an in-person lunchtime lecture.

Talk description: Pablo Picasso created his art within the social context of French colonialism and the so-called “discovery” of African arts by Paris-based European modernist artists. Though he and his peers mistakenly believed the works whose aesthetics they appropriated were “ancient,” they were most often contemporary with their own creations. What art historians have defined as European modernism overlaps with a peak period of European imperialism, requiring us to ask why certain African arts became available to European artists and how they related to them. What follows is a brief discussion of the connections between Pablo Picasso, colonialism, and the works of West and Central African artists. The talk concludes by highlighting several named African contemporaries of Picasso whose works are in the CMA collection.

RSVP for free tickets here https://www.clevelandart.org/events/west-and-central-african-arts-colonialism-and-pablo-picasso

Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA) Releases Best Practice Guidelines for Provenance Research and Restitution

December 2, 2024 By Caroline Bastian

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA) Releases Best Practice Guidelines for Provenance Research and Restitution

New Resource Emphasizes Collaboration with African Institutions and Communities

Responding to an urgent and growing need for guidance on ethical stewardship of African collections in museums, the Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA) has produced best practice guidelines for provenance research and restitution. The new resource, the first-ever for museums in the United States, emphasizes collaboration and communication with Africa-based peers, descendant communities, and other knowledge-holding constituents in assessing and determining the futures of collections. Developed with support from the Mellon Foundation, this foundational document is publicly accessible and recommended for sharing with all U.S. collecting institutions.

The guidelines were developed over a three-year period by a working group of over seventy specialists from the United States, Africa, and Europe. The initiative began in 2021 and was informed by ongoing dialogue with Africa-based institutions, professionals, and community members. The final document, ratified by ACASA in August 2024, encourages museums to uphold their ethical responsibilities in their stewardship of African objects, in addition to any legal requirements. This includes promptly responding to return concerns and claims. It also recommends that U.S. museums demonstrate an institutional commitment to:

transparency regarding collection holdings and information about object histories
working with interested parties on the African continent on collaborations, including returns, within this field-wide framework of accepted practice
prioritizing research on collection holdings
disseminating information about African arts collections in accordance with ethical computing standards

The resource includes guidance on provenance research, criteria and parameters for determining research priorities, case studies with recommendations, and resource material on relevant law and policy precedents.

Chika Okeke-Agulu (Princeton University), a leading international voice on African restitution, hailed the guidelines as “the most ambitious initiative ever by ACASA.” He added, “In its depth and scope, I can say that no one in the U.S. has gone this far to provide a compelling road map, a useful pathway to the complex matter of restitution and repatriation of looted African cultural heritage.”

Erica P. Jones (Fowler Museum at UCLA) and Amanda Gilvin (Davis Museum at Wellesley College), who co-led the working group that produced the document, expressed gratitude to the “many ACASA members who sought ways to honor past makers, descendent communities, and diaspora communities by embracing the push toward ethical returns. After over a century of requests, negotiations, and debates, we hope that this guidance will be an important step towards reshaping museological practice.”

ACASA’s current President, Paul Basu (University of Oxford), emphasized that the publication is only part of ACASA’s ongoing work to expand dialogues and networks with African institutions and communities. “The need to put ethics at the center of scholarship and collections stewardship is clear, and ACASA is well placed to play a central role in advocating for, sharing information and advice, and even coordinating training in all matters relating to provenance research and restitution. This important work is a key part of ACASA’s future vision.” As an immediate next step, ACASA will work toward the creation of a digital resource that will help Africa-based institutions and communities connect with African objects in U.S. museum collections.

ACASA is a U.S.-based professional organization, with over 1,800 members worldwide. For more than four decades, ACASA has championed African arts scholarship, connecting artists, researchers, curators and collections on the African continent, in North America, Europe and beyond. For more information about ACASA and how to join, visit acasaonline.org or contact ACASA administrator, Caroline Bastian Retcher at bastian@acasaonline.org.

AFRICAN CRITICAL INQUIRY PROGRAMME: IVAN KARP DOCTORAL RESEARCH AWARDS FOR AFRICAN PHD STUDENTS ENROLLED IN SOUTH AFRICA

November 13, 2024 By Ashley Stewart

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS IVAN KARP DOCTORAL RESEARCH AWARDS FOR AFRICAN STUDENTS ENROLLED IN SOUTH AFRICAN Ph.D. PROGRAMMES Closing Date: Thursday 1 May 2025

The African Critical Inquiry Programme is pleased to announce the 2025 Ivan
Karp Doctoral Research Awards to support African doctoral students in the
humanities and humanistic social sciences who are enrolled at South African
universities and conducting dissertation research on relevant topics. Grant amounts
vary depending on research plans, with a maximum award of ZAR 50,000.
The African Critical Inquiry Programme (ACIP) seeks to advance inquiry and
debate about the roles and practice of public culture, public cultural institutions, and
public scholarship in shaping identities and society in Africa. The ACIP is committed
to collaboration between scholars and the makers of culture/history, and to fostering
inquiry into the politics of knowledge production, the relationships between the
colonial/apartheid and the postcolonial/postapartheid, and the importance of critical
pluralism as against nationalist discourse. ACIP is a partnership between the Centre
for Humanities Research at the University of the Western Cape and the Laney
Graduate School of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia (USA).
ELIGIBILITY: The Ivan Karp Doctoral Research Awards are open to African
postgraduate students (regardless of citizenship) in the humanities and humanistic social sciences. Applicants must be currently registered in a Ph.D. programme in a
South African university and be working on topics related to ACIP’s focus. Awards
will support doctoral research projects focused on topics such as institutions of public
culture, particular aspects of museums and exhibitions, forms and practices of public
scholarship, culture and communication, and the theories, histories, and systems of
thought that shape and illuminate public culture and public scholarship. Applicants
must submit a dissertation proposal that has been approved by their institution to
confirm the award; this must be completed before they begin ACIP-supported on-site
research or by December 2025, whichever comes first.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Awards are open to proposals working with a
range of methodologies in the humanities and humanistic social sciences, including
research in archives and collections, fieldwork, interviews, surveys, and quantitative
data collection. Applicants are expected to write in clear, intelligible prose for a
selection committee that is multi-disciplinary and cross-regional. Proposals should
show thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theories, and methods in the
applicant’s discipline and in other related fields and include a bibliography relevant to
the research. Applicants should specify why an extended period of on-site research
is essential to successfully complete the proposed doctoral dissertation. Applicants
are urged to consult the guidance and advice on how to write a good proposal and
prepare a well-crafted budget found in the Resources section of the ACIP website
(http://www.graduateschool.emory.edu/about/special/acip.html) or here:
http://www.ssrc.org/publications/view/the-art-of-writing-proposals/.
To apply, eligible applicants should submit the following as a single file
attachment with documents in the order listed:
‚ completed cover sheet (form below and online at the end of application
information at http://www.graduateschool.emory.edu/about/special/acip.html,
under ACIP Opportunities)
‚ abstract of the proposed research project (250 words maximum)
‚ research proposal outlining the project’s goals, central questions, significance,
and relevance for ACIP’s central concerns. Proposals should include a clearly
formulated, realistic research design and plan of work responsive to the
project’s theoretical and methodological concerns. Applicants should provide
evidence of appropriate training to undertake the proposed research,
including the language fluency necessary for the project. Proposals should be
no longer than 1800 words; they should be double spaced, with 2.5 cm
margins and a font no smaller than 11 point. Applications that do not follow
these format guidelines will not be considered.
A bibliography of up to two additional pages, project budget listing project expenses to be supported by the award. Your
budget should justify both items listed and amounts requested (i.e. indicate
what the amounts are based on)
‚ your curriculum vitae
‚ current academic transcript and proof of registration at your current institution
‚ two referee letters; one of these must be from your supervisor. Your referees
should comment specifically on your proposed project, its quality and
significance, and your qualifications for undertaking it. They should also
evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your project and how you and your
work would benefit from receiving the research award. Referee letters should
be submitted directly to the Selection Committee.
Funding is to be used for on-site dissertation research; research cannot be at the applicant’s home institution unless that institution has necessary site-specific
research holdings not otherwise available to the applicant. If your budget includes
equipment purchase(s) (e.g., laptop; photo, video, or audio equipment), you must
clearly and specifically motivate the request in relation to planned work and
successful project completion, show that the request is for cost-effective equipment
appropriate to your research that you do not otherwise have access to, and explain
what you plan to do with the equipment at the end of your project (e.g. donate to an
educational organization related to your research). ACIP will not support equipment
requests totaling more than 20% of the budget.
Applicants who have completed significant funded dissertation research by
the start of their proposed ACIP research may be ineligible to apply to extend
research time. Eligibility will be at the discretion of the ACIP Selection Committee,
depending on completed research time and funding. Please note that Ivan Karp
Doctoral Research Awards support dissertation research only and may not be used
for dissertation write-up, editing or printing; tuition; study at other universities;
conference participation; or to reimburse debts or expenses for research already
completed. The programme does not accept applications from Ph.D. programmes in
Law, Business, Medicine, Nursing, or Journalism, nor does it accept applications
from doctoral programmes that do not lead to a Ph.D.
SELECTION PROCESS: Applications will be reviewed by the ACIP
Selection Committee, an interdisciplinary group of scholars and practitioners drawn
from a range of universities and cultural institutions. Selection will be based on the
merit and strength of the application. Award amounts will vary according to project
needs; the maximum award is ZAR 50,000. Awards will be made only if applications
of high quality are received. Notification of awards will be made by late July.
Successful applicants will be required to attend the African Critical Inquiry
Workshop in the following year and will have opportunities to consult with scholars
associated with the Workshop. They will be expected to attend subsequent ACIP
Workshops while completing their dissertations, if possible. After completing their
research, applicants must submit a final research report and a financial report.
Students who receive an Ivan Karp Doctoral Research Award from ACIP must
acknowledge the support in their dissertation and in any publications resulting from
the research. When the dissertation is completed, they must deposit a copy with the
African Critical Inquiry Programme at the Centre for Humanities Research.
Closing date: Applications and referees’ letters must be
received on or before Thursday 1 May 2025. Incomplete
applications and applications that do not conform to format
guidelines will not be considered.
Please submit materials as a single file attachment with
documents in the order listed above. Applications should be sent
by email with the heading “ACIP 2025 Research Award Application”
to acip.uwc@gmail.com.

Supported by funding from the Ivan Karp and Corinne Kratz Fund
http://www.graduateschool.emory.edu/about/special/acip.html
https://www.facebook.com/ivan.karp.corinne.kratz.fund

Assistant Professor – Educator, Game Design, School of Art, College of DAAP

November 13, 2024 By Ashley Stewart

Assistant Professor – Educator, Game Design, School of Art, College of DAAP

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to 53,235 students, more than 11,000 faculty and staff and 350,000+ living alumni, UC combines a Top 35 public research university with a physical setting The New York Times calls “the most ambitious campus design program in the country.”

With the launch of Next Lives Here, the Cincinnati Innovation District, a $100 million JobsOhio investment, three straight years of record enrollment, worldwide leadership in cooperative education, a dynamic academic health center and entry into the Big 12 Conference, UC’s momentum has never been stronger. UC’s annual budget stands at $1.85 billion, and its endowment totals nearly $1.8 billion.

About the School
The College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) at the University of Cincinnati invites applications for a non-tenure track Assistant Professor – Educator position in Games and Animation (GAA) in the School of Art. The Games and Animation Program seeks applications from candidates with a wide range of expertise and experiences in Academia and/or Industry focused on the field of Game Design.

Located within the multi-national and culturally diverse University of Cincinnati, the School of Art hosts top-tier Interdisciplinary BFA and MFA programs as well as a BA in Art History and MA in Art Education. The School of Art is currently ranked among top programs nationwide and offers diverse academic and cultural opportunities. For more information about the School of Art, please visit: https://daap.uc.edu/academics/soa.

About the Program
Officially welcoming its first BFA cohort in Fall 2024, the Games and Animation (GAA) program is jointly housed between the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) and the College of Arts & Sciences (A&S) at UC. It combines the strengths of DAAP’s School of Art, with its long-standing program commitments to electronic art, new media, and game art, and A&S’s School of Communication, Film & Media Studies. The joint program offers a studio-based, collaborative approach to creating games and animation, both digital and analog. Students learn by doing, gain experience through cooperative education, and draw on the interdisciplinary technical and creative toolsets required by these media. This unique program mimics a studio approach in animation and games production studios, using students through different cohorts to produce senior projects. In GAA, there is no artificial separation between theory and practice, between art and industry, between conception and production.

Essential Functions
• Teach undergraduate studio and seminar courses in Animation and related areas including introductory, advanced level, and topical courses such as: Game Tools, Paradigms of Computer Based Learning, Intermediate Game Design, and Experimental Play. The teaching load for this position is 8 (3-credit) courses per academic year.
• Expand course offerings, bring a unique perspective to the Games and Animation Program, and promote approaches that support interdisciplinary practices in their pedagogy.
• Provide service to various School, College, and/or University committees such as Program Curriculum Committee.

Minimum Requirements
Prior to effective date of the appointment, all of the following are required:
• Masters degree in Game Design or a related field.
• Candidates must demonstrate proficiency and engagement with the field of Game Design as evidenced by a portfolio of 20 creative works.
• Two academic years of teaching experience post-qualifying degree in an institution of higher education.

Application Process
Review of applications will begin on January 1, 2025 and the search will remain open until an appointment is made.

The position is intended to commence on August 15, 2025. To be considered for this position, please apply online at https://bit.ly/3YHAEu9 and upload:
• Cover letter
• CV
• Portfolio of samples of 20 creative works as PDF or dedicated URL
• Names and contact information of three professional references

Compensation and Benefits
UC offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and FTE.
• Competitive salary range dependent on the candidate’s experience.
• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts and an award-winning employee wellness program, plus an employee assistance program.
• Financial security via our life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, annual holidays, and winter season days in addition to paid parental leave.
• Tuition remission is available for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Enjoy discounts for on and off-campus activities and services.

As a UC employee, and an employee of an Ohio public institution, if hired you will not contribute to the federal Social Security system, other than contributions to Medicare. Instead, UC employees have the option to contribute to a state retirement plan (OPERS, STRS) or an alternative retirement plan (ARP).

To learn more about why UC is a great place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.uc.edu/careers.html.

For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations with the application, please contact Human Resources at jobs@uc.edu.

The University of Cincinnati is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Museum of International Folk Art Summer Research Fellowship Program

November 5, 2024 By Ashley Stewart

Application Deadline: January 17, 2025

The Museum of International Folk Art (MOIFA) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Summer Research Fellowship Program. This program offers a unique opportunity to spend 4-6 weeks in Santa Fe, New Mexico working on a research project related to MOIFA’s renowned folk art collection of over 163,000 objects and MOIFA’s Bartlett Library and Archives collections, and engaging with MOIFA staff members and the local community. A vibrant city for art and culture, Santa Fe was the first city designated as a Creative City in the United States by UNESCO, appointed in 2005 for its Craft and Folk Art community. This pilot program will run for two years (2025-2026), with the fellowship scheduled between June 1st and August 31st each year.

We welcome applications from scholars, independent researchers, public folklorists and other public scholars, graduate students, nonprofit and community arts administrators, and practitioners with a strong interest in folk and traditional arts, cultural traditions, folklore, ethnomusicology, heritage studies, museum studies, and related fields. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Fellowship Award Includes:

* $2,500 Fellowship Honorarium

* Travel allowance to reimburse costs to and from Santa Fe

* Stipend for lodging, per diem allowance, and transportation during fellowship

Application and Selection Process:

Prospective fellows should apply through the online portal on MOIFA’s website. Applicants will describe their research, how a MOIFA fellowship would enhance or contribute to their work, how their interest in folk and traditional arts, cultural heritage, and/or museums developed, and which areas of the museum collection they are most interested in exploring. Information about MOIFA’s collection and the Bartlett Library and Archives is available online.

All complete applications will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary panel of scholars and practitioners drawn from MOIFA and a range of universities and other cultural institutions. They will be evaluated on the basis of the proposal’s conceptualization and merit, the applicant’s ability to carry out the proposed research, the suitability of selected materials in MOIFA’s collections and archives, the likelihood the research can be completed in the requested time, and the project’s potential to increase knowledge of MOIFA’s collections and archives, bring new perspectives to them, and enhance meaningful public engagement.

For more information on the MOIFA Summer Research Fellowship see here.

https://moifa.org/learn/research-fellowship-program.html

Job posting: Assistant Professor of Art History (tenure-track) at Eastern Michigan University

October 30, 2024 By Ashley Stewart

Assistant Professor of Art History (tenure-track), Eastern Michigan University

The School of Art and Design at Eastern Michigan University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Art History, beginning August 2025. This position is part of a four-faculty cluster in Art History, Political Science, Sociology Anthropology and Criminology, and Arts Administration collaborating with the University’s new Civil Rights and Social Justice Center. We seek candidates from any specialization whose work aligns with the Center’s goals, with a preference for a focus on premodern art, globally defined. Areas of focus may include, but are not limited to, the arts of Africa, the Islamic world (including the ancient Mediterranean and Near East), the Americas, or other regions that complement our existing faculty strengths. A museum studies background is also welcome.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will have a three courses per semester base teaching load, primarily art history courses including surveys and upper-level classes in their area of expertise, while actively engaging in—and helping to shape—the Civil Rights and Social Justice Center’s initiatives. A primary instructional responsibility will be to teach our ancient through medieval survey course, but the appointee is also encouraged to develop new courses and collaborate in a broader re-envisioning of the art history curriculum. They will have opportunities to participate in our College in Prison Program, intercollegiate collaborations with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), study abroad programs, and campus programming such as the EMU galleries, among others. The appointee will be expected to collaborate with faculty in the cluster from other disciplines and contribute to shaping a more equitable vision of the arts at EMU. We value candidates who can leverage these unique engagement opportunities to enrich their teaching and research while fostering community connections.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in Art History or a related field (completed by August 2025), with a preference for expertise in premodern art history, globally defined. Candidates must show evidence of scholarly potential and commitment to teaching excellence. Enthusiasm for undergraduate teaching, pedagogical creativity, and flexibility are essential, as is a commitment to working with students from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds.

The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and an interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement. Willingness to participate in diverse educational outreach programs is crucial. Experience in digital humanities, background in critical race studies, interest in cultural exchange and interaction, and familiarity with museum studies are desirable.

Eastern Michigan University is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering diverse and inclusive academic communities.

Special Instructions:

Applications for this position are due by January 5, 2025. ATTN: Dr. Pamela Stewart (pstewa13@emich.edu) The following documents in PDF format must be attached when submitting the application:

letter of application
curriculum vitae
statements of teaching philosophy and research agenda
writing sample or offprints of published work (35 pages maximum)
contact information of three references (names, phone numbers, and emails).

Applicants must address their interest in social justice and civil rights and how they might collaborate with the cluster and Center. They may do so in their letter and teaching/research statements, or they may put forward a separate statement.

Application: https://careers.emich.edu/jobs/assistant-professor-art-history-ypsilanti-michigan-united-states

University of Arkansas School of Art Visiting Assistant Professor – Photography

October 26, 2024 By Ashley Stewart

Job Listing:

University of Arkansas School of Art

Visiting Assistant Professor – Photography

Requisition #: R0063149

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for a non-tenure track up to three-year position as Visiting Assistant Professor of Art (Photography) to start in August 2025. For a three-year merit based renewable appointment position to be considered, the candidate should provide at least three years of evaluations as instructor of record illustrating high quality teaching effectiveness. This is a 9-month standard faculty appointment with a 40% teaching, 40% research / creative activity, and 20% service expectation. Specific duties will include 2/2 Load, teaching two courses per semester (Fall and Spring) in Studio Art; Creative Activities Maintaining an active program of research; Performing graduate and undergraduate student mentoring and advising, including participation in BFA and MFA reviews, MFA thesis committees, and studio visits; Some collaborative oversight and operation of the Photography area including but not limited to assistance in maintaining facilities/equipment, overseeing a safe working environment, curriculum development contributions, and graduate student supervision; Contributions in planning and implementing of new undergraduate and graduate courses; Participating in Program and School level committee work; Present and active member of the program, School of Art, and university community. Ideal applicants should have a strong commitment to an expanded definition of photography and its use as a means for research, technology, and interdisciplinary approaches to art making.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively to assist in the oversight of the photography area while contributing to the strength and energy of the School of Art as a whole. Applicants should possess knowledge of a wide variety of multidisciplinary art-making strategies centering on or intersecting with photography. Alongside a strong skillset in the history & practice of photography, the ideal candidate will offer research interests in photographic futures, new technology, and an expanded photographic practice. This may include (but is not limited to) experience with video, sound, experimental lens-based practices, and/or installation. A foundation in photography alongside a demonstrated dedication to expanding the technical and conceptual direction of the discipline is preferred. The successful candidate will show evidence of a strong commitment to teaching and mentorship.

The School of Art at the University of Arkansas highly values and promotes belonging in creating, studying, and teaching. We intend to foster an innovative and positive environment for teaching, mentoring, research, and service for all. The School of Art is especially interested in applicants whose work aims to broaden the canon, demonstrates a commitment to mentoring students from all backgrounds, creates the conditions for classroom experiences that are marked by empathy and mutual respect, and fosters collaboration, community, and open dialogue. We seek faculty committed to working and creating in ways that foster encouraging and supportive learning experiences that expand the School of Art’s current efforts to engage the campus and community in dialogue.

The program celebrates an interest in fostering interdisciplinary cross-campus relationships and engagement with a vibrant local and regional art community. Beyond the primary role in Photography, the position may also contribute to teaching and service within the School of Art’s Foundations program, which serves a broader student population pursuing degrees in Studio Art, Graphic Design, and Art Education.

Our hope is to draw applicants at any career level post-MFA—emerging, mid-career, or established artists and educators—who are active in the field and ready to contribute their unique insights to our learning environment.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Job Duties will include:
40% – Teaching
40% – Research
20% – Service

About the Photography Area:
Photography at the University of Arkansas School of Art combines practice in traditional & contemporary photographic processes with conceptual development, inspiring students to become innovative & critically engaged artists. The photography program offers a robust and supportive community where artists define their practice, deepen their understanding of visual literacy and create innovative imagery. The area provides training in a variety of traditional & contemporary techniques, equipping students with a critical understanding of the medium and its applications in research and artmaking. Experimentation, interdisciplinary practice and conceptual development are fostered, preparing students to become engaged practitioners.

About the School of Art:
In 2017, the University of Arkansas was awarded a $120 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation to establish a School of Art in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. The gift created the first and only school of art in the state of Arkansas, and is helping to advance art education, design, art history and studio art in the state while providing unparalleled access and opportunity to students. In addition, in 2017, the School of Art also received a $40 million gift from the Windgate Foundation to develop and build a new Studio Art and Graphic Design facility. Most recently, in 2021, the Windgate Foundation gave a $30 million partial challenge grant to develop and build a facility to house a professional gallery, auditorium, the foundations program, as well as idea fabrication and arts entrepreneurship labs. The mission of the School of Art is to develop one of the highest quality educational, research and service programs in the visual arts available nationally. The School of Art is a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and includes 54 faculty, 8 staff members, and more than 500 students. There are currently 8 degree options: BFA in Art Education, BFA in Graphic Design, BFA in Studio Art, BA in Art History, BA in Studio Art, MA in Art Education, MFA in Studio Art, and MDES in Communication Design. The MA degree in Art History of the Americas launched this Fall 2023.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

With submitted materials, the candidate must demonstrate

Master of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Studio Art, Photography, or equivalent terminal degree conferred by the start of employment
A research record and portfolio of work that demonstrates either promise, active practice, or sustained practice in the field of photography
At least one year of teaching experience and demonstrated classroom competency with a commitment to exceptional teaching and mentoring for all

Preferred Qualifications:

Strong evidence of an active creative studio research practice and exhibition record
Experience in interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and cross-campus collaborations
Demonstrated experience and/or research in photographic futures, new technology, and an expanded photographic practice. This may include experience with video, sound, experimental materiality, analog photography, alternative photographic processes and/or installation
Demonstrated ability to teach photography at the intermediate, advanced, and/or graduate level

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

Proficient knowledge of analog and digital photography
Knowledge of the Darkroom processes
Photographic Lighting Studio Skills
Digital Lab operations and printing technique skills
Ability to use Adobe software in service to artistic production.

Salary Information:

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Other (see special instructions for details), Statement of Research Philosophy, Statement of Teaching Philosophy

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information:

Aaron R. Turner, Search Committee Chair, art024@uark.edu

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Completed applications received by November 26, 2024, will be assured full consideration. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.

For additional inquiries, please contact the search committee chair, Aaron R. Turner, at art024@uark.edu.

Applicants must submit:
• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae with website URL
• Two sample syllabi of relevant courses, taught or proposed (submit as one document)
• Statement of research (one page maximum and including how you support and incorporate inclusive excellence).
• Statement of teaching philosophy (one page maximum and including how you support and incorporate inclusive excellence).
• 20 images of personal work identified with title, date, medium, and dimensions (as a single PDF)
• 20 images of student work identified with date, course title, and student level (as a single PDF)
• List of three professional references (name, title, email address, and phone number) willing to provide letters of recommendation if requested during the application process. Letters of recommendation will be requested only for candidates selected for interviews.
• At least one year of evaluations as instructor of record illustrating high quality teaching effectiveness to qualify for an one-year appointment with the potential for annual reappointment. At least three years of evaluations as instructor of record illustrating high quality teaching effectiveness required to be considered for a renewable three-year merit-based appointment.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Annual Salary/Benefits Package: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Visit this job posting at: https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UASYS/job/Fayetteville/Visiting-Assistant-Professor-of-Photography_R0063149?q=University+of+Arkansas,+Fayetteville%20photography&locations=17a66cdad98201f7890cfb48ca00e249