Full-Time Faculty in Contemporary Practices

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) seeks a full-time tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor to join its innovative Department of Contemporary Practices (CP) in August 2015. A required first year curriculum for 575 freshmen and a recommended curriculum for 275 first year transfer students annually, this program provides an intensive introduction to contemporary art and design practices. As the foundations program in an art and design school with an interdisciplinary focus and open studio curriculum (no majors), the CP program aims to develop studio production skills across diverse media. The curriculum provides hands-on learning that expands critical thinking skills and resourcefulness to prepare students for the wide range of media, courses, programs and interdisciplinary opportunities in SAIC's undergraduate degree program.

Rank and salary are competitive with peer institutions, and are commensurate with quality of scholarship or practice, extent of teaching experience, and current professional standing.

About the Department (Freshmen/First Year)

The Department of Contemporary Practices, one of 23 departments at the school, is chaired by a full-time faculty member, and offers 225 courses each year taught by 80 faculty.

Responsibilities

All full-time CP faculty teach in the department's team-taught Core Studios devoted to traditional and digital technologies and concepts in Surface/Space/Time, as well as the Research Studios that investigate thematic topics through an emphasis on research methodologies, iteration, critical inquiry, and project development. They also may teach up to two of their six courses per academic year in other areas of the school, as appropriate, on the undergraduate and/or graduate level. On the departmental level, full-time CP faculty participate in curricular development and assessment, organization of end-of-year exhibitions and publications, fulfill departmental/institutional service. At some point in their SAIC careers, full-time CP faculty will likely serve a rotation as the CP Director.

Qualifications

An MFA is required; however in rare circumstances the committee may consider candidates with a relevant undergraduate degree and exceptional professional experience. The ideal candidate is an exceptional teacher with an outstanding studio practice in art and/or design, an active and substantial professional record, and a vigorous interest in contemporary art and design, theory and criticism who will contribute to the vibrant and creative culture in a prestigious art school. Candidates must have a demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate in shaping a highly innovative and robust introductory level program in art and design that is in concert with SAIC's philosophy and in support of its interdisciplinary undergraduate degree programs; be well versed in historical and contemporary art and/or design practices and their effective use in first year pedagogy; be able to teach a wide range of Surface/Space/Time skills and concepts at the introductory level using both traditional and digital media; and have a demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty and staff as a colleague and/or manager.

Degree and three years of full-time experience or equivalent teaching in an introductory studio curriculum and one or more disciplinary studio area are required. Candidates whose teaching interests include the intersections of power, race, class, gender and/or sexuality are of particular interest to the search committee, as are those with experience in computer programming and/or physical computing.

Application Procedure

By or before Monday, December 1, 2014, please submit an application and required materials at SAICfaculty.slideroom.com. You will create an account before completing the application that is a combination of fill-in fields and uploaded documents. You are encouraged to begin the application well before the deadline. Applicants can save and continue to work on the application until the final submission. Once an application is begun, there is a grace period for additions or revisions. No late applications may be submitted for any reason. SAIC will underwrite the application fees; you will not be charged for the application process.

Complete the fields for: educational background; current position; and contact information for three professional references, including one who can speak to leadership and administrative skills.

Please convert all word documents into PDFs before uploading. Required files include: a cover letter stating interests and qualifications; résumé; artist's statement; a statement of teaching philosophy; sample syllabus for an introductory-level studio course; one-page list of analog and digital 2D, 3D, and 4D media, skills, and concepts the candidate is qualified to teach; evidence of successful leadership and/or administrative abilities; and portfolio/support materials as appropriate.