FULL-TIME FACULTY/DIRECTOR IN CONTEMPORARY PRACTICES

The School of the Art Institute’s first-year program, Contemporary Practices, invites applications for a full-time, tenured Director/faculty member, beginning August 2017. Rank and salary are competitive with peer institutions and are commensurate with level of practice, scholarship, and current academic research, extent of teaching experience, and current professional standing. The ideal candidate will contribute to the diversity of the School by bringing a perspective, way of thinking, and/or a unique set of experiences that expand the intellectual conversations and art/design practices in the field.

PROGRAM PROFILE
The Department of Contemporary Practices provides an intensive introduction to contemporary art and design practices, and is part of the required curriculum for first-year and transfer students. The objective of the Department’s curriculum is to develop critical thinking capacities, studio skills, collaborative learning strategies in relation to both autonomous studio practices and social engagement, and an understanding of the changing nature of contemporary art and design across diverse media. The Department of Contemporary Practices has evolved out of a foundations program and is continually evaluating and assessing what a first year, required curriculum in the arts should be. The Department has over 850 students and 75 Faculty, 12 of which are Full Time members of the Department. Further information about the Department can be found at http://www.saic.edu/academics/departments/cp/

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director is a leadership position at SAIC and is responsible for working with the faculty in developing the curricular and programmatic initiatives of the Department. The Director is expected to exemplify the identity of the Department of Contemporary Practices: to maintain the “contemporary” in Contemporary Practices, while also underscoring the importance of fundamental skills, practices, and critical thinking that are part of SAIC’s curriculum. The main responsibility for the Director is to work with the faculty to develop and maintain innovative courses and to select and assign faculty to teach those courses. Other duties include facilities planning and oversight, budget and resource allocation, as well as evaluations of curriculum and faculty performance. The Director works in partnership with the Undergraduate Division, Student Affairs, and the chairs of twenty studio and academic departments. In addition the Director is an outward facing member of SAIC who connects with the school at large, our potential student population, and the city of Chicago.

A selection of primary responsibilities of the Director include:
• Provide advocacy for Contemporary Practices students, faculty and departmental needs.
• Synthesize a long-term vision for the Contemporary Practices curriculum by researching current Foundational and First Year curricula across the country and globe, and evaluate our curriculum in relationship to other institutions.
• Liaise with institutional, departmental, and program leaders throughout SAIC to ensure alignment of the Contemporary Practices curriculum with evolving departmental and institutional needs.
• Provide leadership for the Department’s efforts to coordinate annual assessment of student learning in courses taught in Contemporary Practices.
• Direct and mentor faculty in their administrative course-release responsibilities; including the Faculty Coordinator, who supports and oversees part-time faculty development and concerns, and the Curriculum Coordinator, who supervises and facilitates departmental curricular development and assessment.
• Supervise and work with the Faculty Coordinator in all matters involving Contemporary Practice faculty including recruitment, searches, hiring, faculty mentoring and development, departmental service assignments, contract, reappointment, and tenure reviews.
• In consultation with the Faculty Coordinator and Administrative Director, schedule faculty for all Contemporary Practices classes.
• Participate in hiring administrative staff and work with the Administrative Director to develop Departmental procedures and logistics.
• Work with the Administrative Director in establishing Contemporary Practices operating and capital asset budgets and requests.
• The Director is a standing member of the following institutional committees: Undergraduate Recruitment Committee; Department Heads; Undergraduate Cabinet; First Year Cabinet, and reports back to the faculty on issues addressed in these committees.

In addition to the above, the position of the Director also involves numerous other responsibilities that range from ongoing administrative needs to Departmental program reviews and assessment.

QUALIFICATIONS
MFA, equivalent terminal degree, or equivalent professional experience required. Candidates should have a minimum of five years of full time experience teaching foundation studio, or equivalent first year students; an ongoing history of recognized accomplishment in their field; and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with both faculty and staff as a manager and a mentor. Additionally, candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they can contribute in meaningful ways to the SAIC’s commitment to cultural diversity, pluralism, and individual differences. The candidate for Director should have commensurate qualifications that would lead to a tenured appointment as Associate or Full Professor.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
By or before Wednesday, January 4, 2017 please submit application materials at http://SAICfaculty.slideroom.com. You will be asked to create an account after which time you may complete the application comprised of fill-in fields and uploaded documents. SAIC will underwrite the application fees; you will not be charged to apply for the position. You are encouraged to begin the application well before the deadline. No applications may be submitted beyond the deadline for any reason.

Complete the fields for: educational background; current position; and contact information for three professional references.

Please convert all word documents into PDFs before uploading. Required files to upload include: cover letter stating interests and qualifications; curriculum vitae; statement of research and practice; statement of administrative and teaching philosophy; and portfolio of creative work and support materials or other documents as appropriate.

QUESTIONS
Questions regarding the School and its open positions, application procedures, or the search process may be emailed to [email protected]. Please consult www.saic.edu for information on the School and its programs, or www.saic.edu/about/jobsatsaic for open positions and application procedures.

ABOUT SAIC
A leader in educating artists, designers, and scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs to students from across the globe. Located in the heart of Chicago, the School is one of the largest and oldest private schools of art and design in the country with programs reflecting current practices in art. SAIC's educational philosophy is built upon a trans-disciplinary approach to art and design that provides unparalleled opportunities for students to develop their creative and critical abilities with renowned faculty who are leading practitioners in their fields. SAIC's resources include the Art Institute of Chicago and its Modern Wing, and numerous special collections and programming venues that provide students with exceptional exhibitions, screenings, lectures, and performances. The campus is located on Chicago’s magnificent lakefront amid the city’s cultural and architectural treasures.

The School currently enrolls 3,590 students in 15 studio departments and 8 academic departments. There are 153 full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty and visiting artists, and 693 adjunct and part-time faculty supported by 300 staff.

Degree tracks include the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Studio; BFA with Emphasis in Art Education or Writing; BA degrees in Art History and in Visual and Critical Studies; Master of Architecture; Master of Design (MDes) in Designed Objects; MDes in Fashion, Body, and Garment; MFA in Studio or Writing; MA degrees in Arts Administration; Art Education; Modern and Contemporary Art History; Art Therapy; New Arts Journalism; Teaching; Visual and Critical Studies; and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation.

EOE
The Art Institute of Chicago, including both the school and the museum, is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for its students, visitors, faculty, and staff, and to ensuring that educational and employment decisions are based on an individual’s abilities and qualifications. The Art Institute of Chicago does not tolerate unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or former military status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, in its programs and activities, public accommodations or employment practices. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Title IX Coordinator
Michael Nicolai, Vice President for Human Resources, Human Resources Department, 116 S. Michigan Ave., suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60603, 312.629.9411, [email protected]

Section 504 Coordinator
Felice Dublon, PhD, Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, The Office of Student Affairs, 36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1204, Chicago, IL 60603, 312.629.6800, [email protected].

For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, see the Office for Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 800.421.3481.