Assistant Professor – Art Education

Assistant Professor – Art Education

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts)

Department of Art Education

This full-time, 10-month position is at the rank of Assistant Professor, is non-tenure-eligible (term), and begins August 16, 2023.

Application Deadline: Friday, January 6, 2023

The Opportunity:

The VCUarts Department of Art Education (https://arts.vcu.edu/arteducation/) seeks dynamic applicants who are engaged, compassionate, and collaboration-minded teachers for the position of Assistant Professor of Art Education to support the instructional and licensure-related needs of art education students. The position includes teaching at the undergraduate level, based on the particular skills of the successful candidate.

This is a non-tenure eligible (term) faculty position. Term faculty are eligible for promotion in academic rank, and are valued for their academic, professional, and creative practice/scholarly contributions in their specific area of expertise. The primary responsibilities of this opportunity are to support the instructional and licensure-based needs of the department so we seek to hire faculty who stand out with respect to effectiveness in teaching, engagement with students, and professional expertise.

Art Education Department:

The Department of Art Education supports instruction in art that encourages the construction of meaning. Faculty and students are actively involved with the Art World, education, justice work, and local and global communities through art-based service-learning, visual culture studies, critical thinking, exhibition, assessment, curriculum, critical theory, and emerging digital technologies (virtual and interactive). Through our own research and instruction, we engage students and ourselves in traditional and non-traditional forms of inquiry. With emphasis on diverse approaches to artmaking and instructional practices, the BFA program in Art Education prepares highly capable and effective visual art educators. The mission of the MAE program is to provide a transformative experience for art educators. Building upon their current practice, students in the program will move through theory to become more reflective practitioners. Graduates of the VCU Art Education track of the Ph.D. in Education will be leaders in the field of Art Education. The mission of the PhD track is to foster the development of highly qualified scholars and educators who will significantly influence public and community education through emerging contemporary Art Education theories and practices. 

Major Responsibilities:

A dedicated educator, with professional experience in PreK-12 art education, as the Instructor of Record for directed student teaching courses (12 credits) the term faculty assumes the responsibilities for all school-based internships and associated internal and external activities related to teacher certification and compliance. As a teaching faculty member, the individual also teaches additional licensure-related art education courses. The faculty member will further the position of VCU and the art education program as leaders in art and design education through demonstrated expertise in clinical supervision and curricular innovation; a solid grounding in historical, structural, and systemic issues that inform and challenge contemporary PreK-12 arts education; prior engagement with credentialing policies, especially in the Commonwealth of Virginia; a passion for building relationships with diverse students; and an interest in nurturing school partnerships throughout the Richmond metropolitan area, and across Virginia. With other art education faculty, the term faculty participates in program functions such as admissions, curriculum development, and program assessment and accreditation.

In support of the program’s student centered educational and creative endeavors, responsibilities will be heavily weighted towards the oversight of licensure related coursework and activities.

Duties will include:

  • Instructor of Record for student teaching courses.
  • Instructor of Record for Licensure-related Art Education course based on the course description and learning objectives. Course assignments will change based on demand and will be at the discretion of the Art Education Chair.
  • Instruct art education students and assist faculty in licensure-related materials and assessments processes. Coordinate the submission of licensure-related materials and assessments with the School of Education and relevant stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders like Student Teaching Seminar Instructor, University Supervisors, Student Teachers, and K-12 Cooperating Teachers to collect assessment data and feedback for departmental use and final grades/assessments.
  • Schedule and manage practicum and students teaching placements.
  • Recruit and train university supervisors and cooperating/practicum teachers. Provide instruction to ensure University supervisors are using Clinical Faculty tools and strategies effectively to assess student teachers.
  • Lead licensure-related orientations/trainings and maintain relevant handbooks.
  • Provides assistance to University Supervisors, K-12 cooperating teachers, and other relevant partners with issues that arise related to art education placements.
  • Meeting with the department chair to discuss concerns, issues, future activities related to site-based internships, licensure applications.
  • Participate in monthly faculty meetings and other departmental service as appropriate.
  • Collaborate with faculty and administrators on special programs and events.

The faculty member is expected to mentor students; integrate innovative pedagogical and technological approaches and multicultural perspectives into instructional and mentorship methods; and foster collaborative teaching partnerships across the program, VCUarts, and the School of Education. In support of the school’s strong commitment to inclusion, diversity, and accessibility, the faculty member is expected to foster a welcoming and equitable learning environment for all students.

Creative research is not an expectation for this 10-month, non-tenure eligible position. It is expected that the faculty member will demonstrate excellence through teaching, mentoring, and service and will maintain a body of knowledge within the faculty member’s area(s) of specialization. The program will support the faculty member’s professional development, as appropriate and within available resources, to ensure ongoing mastery of teaching practice. Professional development activities will be consistent with and support the mission and initiatives of the program, school and university.

As a member of a community-oriented, tight-knit program and School, the faculty member will provide service such as mentoring students, supporting student events, accreditation, curriculum development, and serving on department/school/university committees. Other responsibilities may be assigned by the Art Education Department Chair.

Qualifications:

Required qualifications: 

  • Graduate degree in Art Education or related field
  • Substantial experience teaching art at the elementary and/or secondary level
  • A proven track record of professional excellence in clinical supervision, teaching, and mentoring of students as emerging educators
  • Excellent digital data management and organization, including confidential archiving, reporting, and compliance
  • Prior experience nurturing partnerships with diverse schools, community organizations, or governmental entities
  • Evidence of ability to place student teachers and interns in diverse school contexts
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in art and design education

Preferred qualifications:

  • PhD in Art Education or related area.
  • Full-time teaching in art education at the college level beyond graduate assistantships
  • Experience implementing culturally-responsive teaching, learner-centered, and reflective pedagogical practices
  • Sustained contributions to the field of art education and an active studio or scholarly practice
  • Knowledge of Virginia educator certification requirements
  • Experience with teacher performance assessments
  • Demonstrated experience in educational administration and supervision

Application Instructions:

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion – an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. VCUarts strongly encourages applications from all racial, ethnic, gender, and social identities.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences, and academic and professional activities will impact your contribution to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion. Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research and scholarship that promotes equity and parity; teaching and mentoring students, and/or engaging with faculty and/or staff from traditionally underrepresented groups to create a positive and successful organizational experience. For additional guidance on writing a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: https://provost.vcu.edu/faculty/prospective/.

In addition, the following documents should submitted:

  • A Letter of Interest that conveys relevant academic and professional experience and describes experiences and/or professional service that inform world views and/or perspectives about minority group status, to include race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, and disability;
  • Teaching Philosophy;
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • List of three professional references including names with titles and contact information (references will not be checked prior to candidate’s approval). and
  • Portfolio of work: examples of work could include course syllabi; evidence of excellence in teaching; examples of published research, writing, and visual and creative work.

Only electronic applications submitted via the VCU Jobs Website will be accepted. For best consideration, completed applications are due by January 6, 2023. Questions about the application process should be directed to Tasia Robinson, Assistant Director of Human Resources for VCUarts, at thompsontl5@vcu.edu

VCUarts:

Ranked by US News & World Report as a top-five arts and design school, VCUarts (arts.vcu.edu) includes over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students with nationally recognized programs in design, visual and performing arts, and has an annual budget of $38 million and an endowment of more than $13.5 million. Students are taught by over 175 full-time teaching and research faculty members and the school is supported by over 60 staff members that assist in daily processes. The School includes two campuses; one in Richmond and one in Doha, Qatar. The Richmond campus is located on the university’s 75-acre Monroe Park campus situated in the city’s historic Fan District. Ultimately, the work of the School of the Arts extends globally with partnerships throughout the world and across fields as diverse as the humanities, health care and business. 

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to providing accessible and equitable living, learning and working environments free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability.