School of Visual Arts Hiring for Chair of the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay at New York, NY Full Time

The Opportunity

SVA invites nominations and applications for the position of a full-time department chair of the
Master in Fine Arts (MFA) Illustration as Visual Essay program. The Chair is responsible for the overall management and future direction of
the department’s academic and co-curricular programming, in support of SVA’s mission and in support of the institution’s
strategic plan. The successful candidate will be expected to begin on or about August 1, 2023.

Program
Description

Founded in 1984 by the renowned illustrator Marshall Arisman, the MFA in Illustration is a 60-credit program
designed to be completed in two years of full-time study. The program accepts approximately 35 percent of applicants. Students hail from
across the US and scores of foreign countries. Each of the program’s 40 students has a private workspace.

We believe this
program is as unique as it is revolutionary. It redefines how figurative artists see their work and how that art finds its way into the
world of commerce—fine art, illustration, and publication. It begins with developing a personal vision. Vision is not style. Whether
the work is tightly rendered, loose, more or less expressive or Photoshopped, we help you to achieve personal content in your work—to
tell your story as only you can. When your “style” is personal content, the images you make can only be original.

Each
class becomes a community of figurative artists whose interest in storytelling encompasses all 21st-century media: graphic and illustrated
novels, children’s books, comic books, and painting series for gallery walls. But, when you tap into your personal vision and find
your own stories, the applications for the work flows naturally.

We focus on teaching how to combine words with images, continually
refining and re-defining your personal vision. Our faculty is made up of illustrators, fine artists, computer artists, writers, art
historians and art directors. The contact with faculty is personal, constant, and intense. We accept only 20 students per year in the
two-year program. It is a classroom-based curriculum, unlike many graduate programs where students work independently with scheduled faculty
oversight. Close interaction between faculty and students, as well as with other classmates, is an essential part of the creative process
that defines our program.

To learn more about the program and SVA, and to view student and faculty work, please visit https://sva.edu/academics/graduate/mfa-illustration-as-visual-essay

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain a vision for the program’s future direction, consistent with the College’s mission.
• Manage
  a faculty of 15 and departmental staff. Assist in identifying and assembling resources to support the recruitment of a diverse faculty and
  staff.
• Assist in identifying and assembling resources to support faculty/staff diversity hiring.
• Hands-on involvement with
  student artistic and professional growth.
• Responsible for the design and application of the Department’s teaching plan, which
  incorporates an inclusive and culturally relevant curriculum.
• Provide support for planning related to faculty/staff DEI workshops
  and training initiatives
• Organize events and on-campus resources to advance the goals of the College’s strategic plan.
• Foster an environment of professionalism and collegiality.
• Curate student and alumni work in one of SVA’s three main
  gallery spaces.
• Uphold and refine the creative, inclusive, equitable, intellectual, and professional standards of the program.
• Remain professionally active in the discipline and profession of illustration.
• Actively engage with external partners,
  colleagues, alumni, and industry professionals to continuously raise the profile of the program and facilitate professional opportunities
  for students and graduates.
• Work with departmental staff to prepare course schedules, catalog descriptions, and make teaching
  assignments.
• Oversee the department’s annual budget and monitor ongoing expenditures within approved categories and
  limits.
  Represent the program in recruitment, alumni, and professional activities.
• Perform the duties of a full-time faculty
  member, including teaching six credits per academic year, and participate in other activities in support of the Department and the College,
  as requested.

Qualifications

• Substantial professional practice in illustration and or closely
  related discipline, with a record of publication.
• A graduate degree (preferably the MFA in Fine Arts, Illustration, or
• closely related discipline). Applicants with only an undergraduate degree and an exceptional record of publication will be
  considered.
• Five to ten years of progressively responsible experience in academic leadership at the college level, preferably as a
  chair or assistant dean, with a record of maintaining the highest levels of academic and creative integrity, for students, faculty and
  staff.
• A demonstrated commitment to the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Two or more years of experience in
  diversity-related curriculum development and pedagogy preferred.
• Foster an inclusive working and learning environment. Maintain the
  highest levels of academic and creative integrity, for students, faculty, and staff.
• Extensive knowledge of illustration as an
  artistic form and the industries it supports
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching graduate courses in illustration or closely
  related discipline.
• An unflagging commitment to the artistic and professional growth of individual students.
• A collegial
  management style and record of collaboration with peers.
• Experience with student recruitment.
• A considerable network of
  professional contacts upon which the candidate could draw for prospective faculty members, student mentors, guest speakers, program
  advisors, and post-graduate employment.
• A demonstrable commitment to the principles and practice of diversity, equity, and
  inclusion.
• Two years or more of experience in diversity-related curriculum and/or pedagogy development and implementation is
  strongly preferred.
• A demonstrable commitment to the mission and core values of the School of Visual Arts.

SVA Mission Statement and Core Values

MISSION

To educate future generations of creative
citizens to foster cultural and social change that promotes our core values through the pursuit and achievement of their
professional goals.

CORE VALUES

• Citizenship
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Freedom of Expression
• Professionalism and Integrity

Application Procedure

For full consideration, please send (1) a letter of interest that describes how your experience and interests fulfill the requirements of
this position, (2) a current curriculum vitae, (3) a statement of teaching philosophy that incorporates the tenants and practices of
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)), and (4) a list of names and the full contact information for three professional references.

Application review will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. To be assured of full consideration, please submit
all materials by January 15, 2023, as separate PDF documents, to [email protected].