Assistant Professor, Art History

  • Type: job
  • Location: Edmonton, Alberta
  • Deadline: Mar 7 2022 at 11:59PM

(Full-Time Tenure-Track Appointment)
Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications

About Us
MacEwan University is where caring faculty help people connect their passions to their future paths. Located in the heart of Edmonton's diverse and dynamic downtown community, and on the traditional lands of Treaty 6 First Nations and homelands of the Métis people, MacEwan is known for exceptional undergraduate learning. With its dedication to teaching excellence, informed by scholarly research, innovation, and creative activity, MacEwan provides an exceptional collaborative and supportive learning environment with a commitment to human rights, environmental sustainability, and opportunities for community engagement. We are committed to creating an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community for all peoples, cultures, and identities.

Our comprehensive undergraduate university offers 59 programs to more than 18,000 full- and part-time students in business, communications, community and human services, design, fine and performing arts, health, humanities, natural science, nursing, public safety, and social science. Through a wide array of experiential learning opportunities, and strategic relationships in the community, we partner with others to produce graduates of stature. Along with a robust grounding in their chosen disciplines, MacEwan students are given durable life skills that prepare them to take on the world.

The Opportunity
The Studio Arts program in the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications invites applications for a full-time tenure-track appointment in Art History at the rank of Assistant Professor, commencing July 1, 2022.

Candidates for this position must have demonstrated expertise in critical and intersectional approaches to modern and contemporary art history and theory. Preferred applicants will also demonstrate strengths in one or more of the following fields: settler / colonial / postcolonial / decolonial studies; critical race theory; gender / queer theory; cultural theory. Candidates should possess the ability to teach a variety of art history subjects at multiple levels in the curriculum, and are expected to make a contribution in developing curriculum.

The candidate will hold a minimum of a PhD (ABD will be considered) in art history or in a related field, and have teaching experience in art history at the post-secondary level. The candidate must demonstrate excellence or clear promise of excellence in teaching and research.

In the Fall of 2022, MacEwan will be launching a brand-new 4-year BFA. One of the majors within this BFA will be in Studio Arts. In this interdisciplinary program, students will build a rigorous and comprehensive foundation in the first two years, then choose from three pathways in the Studio Arts major: two-dimensional art; three-dimensional art; and intermedia/extended media art. Art history and theory courses will be integral to providing Studio Arts students with a critical perspective on the work they create.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following (other duties may be assigned):
• Instruct students in art history and art theory courses.
• Provide learning activities that stimulate student involvement and encourage critical thinking and discussion.
• Provide concrete, constructive, respectful and actionable feedback to students.
• Maintain competencies in the subject area and currency in instructional methodologies through professional associations and professional development.
• Maintain an active research practice.
• Participate in curriculum development and implementation.
• In consultation with the Studio Arts program, create and maintain a pedagogical vision for all art history courses within the program.
• Provide administrative and pedagogical leadership for the art history and theory courses.
• Serve on University-wide, Faculty and departmental committees, as needed.
• Guide Cultural Histories or Art History for a future Minor.
• Recommend and schedule sessional art history faculty.
• Foster interdisciplinary approaches and establish ties with other programs, including, but not limited to: Arts and Cultural Management, Design Studies, Theater, and Music.

Required qualifications:
• Minimum of a PhD (ABD will be considered) in art history or in a related field.
• An understanding of art history’s global connectedness which critically approaches the Eurocentric canon and decentres whiteness.
• Diverse institutional, regional, national, and international experience and background.
• Record of a strong research agenda, which includes one or a combination of the following: publishing or other disciplinary modes of knowledge mobilization; institutional, cross-institutional, and/or community collaborations; curatorial work.
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills.
• The ability to teach a variety of art history subjects at multiple levels in the curriculum, from introductory courses to senior studios and/or seminars.
• Demonstrated commitment and initiative towards principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

Applicants should submit the following:
• cover letter (with competition number stated)
• curriculum vitae
• recent teaching evaluations
• a statement of teaching philosophy and approaches (including sample course outlines and projects)
• a statement of research interests and experience (including examples of your work, communications and publications)
• sample of scholarly work
• names and contact information for three references
• diversity statement

Review of applications will commence March 7, 2022, and the competition will remain open until the successful candidate has been found. The likely start date for this position is July 1, 2022.

Questions about this position may be addressed to Robert Andruchow, Chair, Department of Art and Design: [email protected].

How to Apply:
To apply, go to https://www.macewan.ca/careers and select the job posting (21.11.186). If you require assistance, please contact us at [email protected].

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Diversity Statement
MacEwan University is committed to fostering the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion within our community, and we are dedicated to removing barriers that have been historically encountered and are currently experienced by some members of our society. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, and members of all equity-deserving groups. We believe that the diversity of our students, staff, and faculty serves as a strength of our institution and benefit to society. We are committed to ensuring full and inclusive participation for all in our community.

Accessibility Statement
We strive to provide an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the hiring process. If you require accommodation, we want to ensure you have the support you need to showcase your abilities. Please contact [email protected] and we will support you to the best of our ability.

This position is included under the Faculty Association collective agreement.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Personal Information Collection Notification

Personal information is being collected to determine your qualifications for employment. This information is collected, used and protected under the authority of and in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. It may be provided to non-HR members of a hiring and interview panel if your application advances to that stage of the hiring process. If you have any questions about these arrangements, please contact: Human Resources, University Services Centre, Rm. 10-600, 10700-104 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4S2 or phone (780) 497-5434.