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Job Description
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Graphic Design
James Madison University’s School of Art, Design, and Art History seeks a dynamic and forward-thinking Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Graphic Design as part of an 11-position integrative arts cohort hire in JMU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). We conceive of integrative arts as combining artistic and/or disciplinary perspectives and/or practices around contemporary issues. This may include—but is not limited to—cross-, inter-, multi-, and/or trans-disciplinary work. Our cohort will collaborate to develop courses, curricula, and research agendas that promote integrative arts and design practices and advance justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and access (viewed through lenses that may include, but are not limited to culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexuality, and/or veteran status). These individuals will complement and expand CVPA strengths in anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy, art-making, arts and technology, community engagement, culturally-sustaining practice, design justice, design thinking, educator preparation, entrepreneurial thinking, and design- or arts-based research.
A complete description of this cohort hire may be found here: https://joblink.jmu.edu/postings/13146
With over 100 full-time faculty and 1,200 full-time majors, CVPA brings together Schools of Art, Design, and Art History (SADAH); Music (SOM); and Theatre and Dance (STAD). CVPA also houses the Office of Creative Propulsion, which supports students and faculty in ideating, launching, and refining arts-based efforts that re-imagine and disrupt traditional practices, stretch and break artistic boundaries, and promote more equitable and inclusive opportunities for meaningful arts/design engagement. CVPA believes that equity, access, and inclusion are moral imperatives and artistic obligations. Diversity—in the stories we represent, students we serve, and audiences we engage—is vital for the health and relevance of contemporary arts and design practice. CVPA, therefore, welcomes diversity of perspective, ethnicity, race, religion, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability. Across its units, CVPA is committed to empowering students to act boldly, justly, and inclusively to create their own unique path.
Successful candidates will have their primary appointment in the School of Art, Design, and Art History, which offers the BA, BS, and BFA degrees at the undergraduate level, including majors in Studio Art, Art Education, Art History, Architectural Design, Graphic Design, and Industrial Design. Art Education licensure is available to all SADAH majors. The school also offers the Master of Fine Arts degree, a nationally ranked program by U.S. News and World Report. SADAH’s mission asks us to collaborate as creators and scholars to advance diversity and independent thought through rigorous practice and research. We believe that equity, access, and inclusion are vital for the preparation of contemporary artists, designers, art historians, and art educators. SADAH employs 36 faculty and nine staff. There are approximately 580 students enrolled in a combination of graduate and undergraduate SADAH programs. SADAH resides in exceptional facilities, including the recently remodeled Duke Hall, a 115,000 square foot facility that features open and well-lit studios, dedicated critique spaces, high-tech seminar rooms, classrooms, lecture halls, and state-of-the-art equipment. The Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art is a leading contemporary art space that features exhibitions of regional, national and international significance. The remodeled Studio Center houses design programs, and a fully equipped Fabrication Lab. Separate facilities are provided for photography, graduate studios, and ArtWorks (a student-run gallery).
Duties and Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be teaching in a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum in an undergraduate graphic design program that includes print, web, interactive, illustration, exhibition, packaging, and emerging media. We seek a candidate who wishes to participate in a collaborative community that fosters independent thought and creativity, embraces the diversity of cultural expression, and cultivates excellence in the making and understanding of graphic design.
Applicants must demonstrate a critical understanding of communication problem solving, innovative conceptual and strategic thinking, typographic application and structure, design theory, media technology, aesthetic execution, design process, and historical/contemporary trends. This individual must have expertise in two or more of the following: UI/UX design, web design, motion graphics, typography, brand identity, package design, design history, information design, business of graphic design, social impact design, or publication design.
Alongside teaching and mentorship to undergraduate students, other duties will require curriculum development, continued engagement in professional activity and active participation in departmental and college-wide service initiatives.
Candidates’ integrative work will also be supported with a biennial course release to collaborate with cohort colleagues and interested currently faculty members to develop integrative arts courses that enroll students within and beyond their academic unit.
Cohort-Wide Qualifications:
Applicants will have a terminal degree in a relevant discipline, and the potential for vibrant, collaborative teaching and scholarship at our primarily undergraduate institution. Consideration may be given to ABDs at the advanced dissertation stage who exhibit particularly compelling records. Unless otherwise indicated in the position-specific required qualifications for each position, applicants with extensive professional experience in lieu of a relevant terminal degree may be considered, with the expectation that any successful candidate not holding a terminal degree must complete a relevant terminal degree prior to achieving tenure.
Position-Specific Required Qualifications:
MFA or MDes in graphic design or appropriate terminal degree
An active body of scholarly work and/or creative design practice, demonstrating quality and distinction in the candidate’s area of work or practice.
Fluency and versatility with current industry-standard software and technology.
Ability to articulate and enact a vision for equity-minded and culturally-sustaining arts and design education.
Position-Specific Preferred Qualifications:
Experience developing curriculum and teaching graphic design courses at the college level.
A record of professional activity and creative achievement that may include commissions, peer-reviewed recognition, conference presentations, or publications.
Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate an ability to develop and teach one or more integrative arts courses for undergraduate students, and/or engage with undergraduate or graduate student researchers. Successful candidates are expected to initiate and maintain an active research program that is appropriate to their discipline. Collaboration with other cohort members and/or faculty beyond CVPA is expected.
To learn more and to apply, go to joblink.jmu.edu and reference posting F2070 or go to https://joblink.jmu.edu/postings/13538. Review of applications begins 1/9/2023. Salary is commensurate with experience.
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
