Assistant Professor of Art and Urbanism (Position Number 006274)

The Division of Art in the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University (SMU) seeks a tenure-track candidate to join a department located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, a vibrant cultural center that just completed the development of a massive arts district featuring cultural institutions designed by the world’s leading architects and with a growing commitment to developing the urban and cultural environment through the arts. While an appointment at the rank of assistant professor tenure track is anticipated, extraordinary candidates at all levels will be considered. This position is an opportunity to mentor and challenge the imagination and creativity of the next generation of artists through engagement with art and urbanism.

We are interested in artists whose work is located in and specifically addresses new models of the physical and cultural environment, drawing from diverse practices that could include social sculpture, urbanism, performance or other contemporary media.  Teaching responsibilities will include introductory, advanced and graduate courses in an emerging field of art practices that focus on this dialogue with the physical, social or cultural fabric of the city, working across media or engaging with diverse populations. The candidate will also be expected to teach specialized courses in their specific area(s) of expertise, such as theories of space and place, new genres of public art, art as social practice, or collaborative and participatory models of art. The candidate will have the opportunity to work with initiatives at SMU such as The Forum for Art and Urban Engagement, Rhetorics of Art Space and Culture, and The Embry Human Rights Program.
 
Minimum qualifications:
completed requirements for a terminal degree in art or related field or possesses
equivalent experience; expertise to teach courses in art and urbanism; substantial
professional experience and demonstrated potential as a teacher-scholar.
 
Preferred qualifications:
experience teaching graduate or undergraduate courses such as
theories of space and place, new genres of public art, art as social practice,
or collaborative and participatory models of art; interest in making significant contributions to
graduate programs; creative work which has led to exhibition or dissemination
in international and/or national venues; experience mentoring culturally
diverse students. Position begins August 2012.
 
Application
All application materials should be submitted via

https://smu.slideroom.com/

These materials include: letter of application highlighting the candidate’s qualifications, complete curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, images or other media illustrating three bodies of work, and a narrative description of this work in relation to the position description. Media could include digital images, video, sound or website links.

For questions regarding your application please contact Associate Professor of Art Noah Simblist [email protected].
 
To ensure full consideration for the position, the application must be submitted by January 1, 2012 but the committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.  Initial interviews by appointment will take place at the College Art Association Conference in Los Angeles in February 2012. Please inform us if you plan to attend. Consideration for the position is not contingent on CAA attendance. The committee will notify applicants of its employment decisions after the position is filled.  Hiring is contingent on the successful completion of a background check.
 
The Division of Art
The Division of Art is a rapidly evolving community of professional artists and teachers within a comprehensive school of the arts with increasing interdisciplinary interests within the university. Our faculty are nationally and internationally noted artists and educators. Our students and alumni are noted for their achievements in a wide range of contemporary artistic practices. We award BA, BFA and MFA degrees in art, as well as a BFA/Master of Information Technology (MIT) in conjunction with the Guildhall at SMU, a school of video gaming.

Visit us at http://www.smu.edu/meadows
 
SMU
SMU is an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community of teachers and scholars that values diverse research and creative agendas. SMU offers excellent benefits including full same-sex domestic partner benefits.

Explore Virtual SMU at http://www.smu.edu

Our beautifully shaded campus of Georgian-Revival-inspired architecture is situated in the heart of Dallas. The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, a culturally rich arts and global business center, is home to The Dallas Museum of Art, The Nasher Sculpture Center The Meadows Museum at SMU, The Rachofsky House, The Dallas Contemporary, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, The Kimbell Art Museum, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art and a group of vibrant contemporary galleries and alternative spaces. Follow the links below for more information about new civic initiatives that address art and urbanism in Dallas.
 
http://www.thedallasartsdistrict.org/
http://www.thetrinitytrust.org/
http://www.theparkdallas.org/
http://www.dallascityhall.com/citydesign_studio
 
SMU will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.  SMU is also committed to the principle of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.