Tenure Track Position in Digital Media

Position: Full-time tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor for a new studio art position in Digital Media Arts. Start date is August 2008.

Qualifications: MFA in studio art specializing in digital-based visual research and practice. Applicants should possess a broad understanding of contemporary art practices and computer technologies. Applicants should be knowledgeable in the history and criticism of a wide range of inter-disciplinary and new genre approaches, including electronic media and contemporary media theory. The successful candidate is expected to engage in aesthetic, intellectual, and structural dimensions of form in interdisciplinary combinations of arts and technologies. The individual should be prepared to take a leadership role in the developing digital media arts program curricula, and to teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students working across disciplines, including visual art, installation, video, experimental music, dance, performance, and theatre. The applicant should be a practicing artist with a professional record of creative research and excellent teaching methods.

Responsibilities: Coordinate a digital media arts studio track and develop a sequence of core courses exploring digital media from a fine art perspective for undergraduate art majors/minors and graduate MFA students. Develop additional courses in area of expertise. Assist in mentoring and advising students. The faculty member should expect to participate in ongoing efforts to facilitate experimental and innovative approaches to contemporary discourse and practice that complement established media-specific disciplines. Development of a profile of active, ongoing creative research, teaching, and service is required. Opportunity for collaborative projects with non-art major/art major students in arts technology certificate program and interdisciplinary minor in arts and technology. Grant support in developing the role of digital media arts at the intersection of scientific/technological and humanities/arts disciplines is available. Visit http://www.art.utah.edu for more information about the department.

Digital Media Arts is rapidly expanding across disciplines at the University of Utah, and the mission of the department is directed towards a diverse and inclusive yet rigorous and responsible environment that includes electronic arts. The department’s integrative digital arts philosophy fosters a critical and creative exploration of emerging forms in digital media arts. Engagement with the new College of Fine Arts Center for Interdisciplinary Arts and Technology is anticipated as well as exploring ways to work with faculty/students from other College of Fine Arts units (Ballet, Film Studies, Modern Dance, Music, Theatre).

Application: A letter of application addressing creative research and teaching interests, curriculum vita, artist’s statement, statement of teaching philosophy, 20 examples of applicant’s work, and examples of student work in CD/DVD form, applicable web sites, and SASE. The applicant’s referees should send three letters of recommendation separately. Sample curriculum design in digital media arts is encouraged as an informative supplement. Address application materials to Chair of Digital Media Arts Search Committee, University of Utah, Department of Art and Art History, 357 S 1530 E RM 161, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0380. A/D: 11 January 2008. Interviews will be conducted at CAA.

Employer Information: The University of Utah is a Doctoral/Research University-Extensive public institution, which supports faculty research. The University is an AA/OE employer and encourages applications from women and minorities, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University and our department is committed to enhancing a multicultural environment.

The flagship of the state’s higher education system, the University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City, a diverse metropolitan community at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains offering a wide range of cultural and recreational activities.