Full-Time Faculty in Critical Art Writing | School of the Art Institute of Chicago
The graduate programs in New Arts Journalism and Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) jointly seek a full-time tenured or tenure track faculty member in the areas of critical and experimental art writing, beginning August of 2020. Rank and salary are competitive with peer institutions and are commensurate with quality and output of publications, extent of teaching experience, and current professional standing.
PROGRAM PROFILE
The Graduate Program in New Arts Journalism (NAJ) trains students to develop skills and projects across a variety of media, working as writers, editors, publishers, and producers to creatively engage with the broader issues of contemporary culture. The program teaches aspiring journalists the research methods, editorial processes, and technical skills required to pursue their own interests and present their work in a wide range of formats. Grounded in cultural history, media theory, and artistic practice, the program encourages rigorous and experimental approaches to arts journalism. Thesis projects reflect students’ own diverse research interests and are presented in various media. Further information about the New Arts Journalism Program can be found at http://www.saic.edu/academics/departments/new-arts-journalism
The Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts (LRMFA) program extends across various teaching platforms in order to immerse students in both tangible and virtual worlds of thinking and making on SAIC's campus as well as within the communities where they live and work. This three-year program is anchored by a Summer Residency in which students convene in Chicago for critique seminars, colloquia with visiting artists, and intensive courses in art history, professional practice, and thesis research and writing. Throughout the academic year, students take online courses and work with mentors in their geographic area. With a focus on writing as a key element of artistic practice, the interdisciplinary program includes students working in many media as well as writers and curators. Further information about the Low Residency MFA Program can be found at http://www.saic.edu/academics/departments/low-residency
RESPONSIBILITIES
The faculty member will join two graduate programs committed to a reconsideration of the political, ethical, and conceptual contexts for art and criticism, and will train artists and critics in an interdisciplinary setting to ask how writing and art can intervene in contemporary culture and how audiences can be widely engaged. The faculty member’s teaching responsibilities will be divided between Fall and Summer terms, teaching in the Graduate Program in New Arts Journalism during the Fall semester and, every June and July, teaching in the Low-Residency MFA intensive in Chicago.
The successful candidate will be a core member of both graduate programs and an active participant in the education of studio artists, writers, editors, and arts professionals at the M.A. and M.F.A. level; will lead seminars and lecture classes for undergraduate and graduate students; will conduct critique seminars and one-on-one advising with M.F.A. students; will participate in the administration and leadership of both programs; and will forge new experimental and interdisciplinary conversations between the graduate programs and with the School more broadly. The faculty member will teach in areas that contribute to the general goals of the graduate programs as well as in their individual area of specialization; participate in student advising, admissions events, committee work, and special projects; contribute to the SAIC community through ongoing curricular development; and participate in departmental administration and school governance.
QUALIFICATIONS
MFA or terminal degree in other relevant field of study is preferred. Significant teaching experience is preferred. The ideal candidate will be actively engaged in writing about contemporary culture, have facility in working collaboratively with artists, and be committed to an expansive view of the audiences for their work. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience in the areas of studio art education, editorial or publishing work (including creating new platforms), and online and digital cultures. We seek candidates with an ambitious writing practice that forges new intersections between art criticism, artistic practice, and online communities of readers both non-academic and academic. 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 practices in the field. We seek candidates with the knowledge and aptitude to teach and mentor students from diverse backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to publication and outstanding teaching. Candidates should demonstrate their experience with, or aptitude for, departmental administration.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
On or before January 15, 2020 please submit application materials via 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 your interests and qualifications; resume or curriculum vitae; statement of research and practice; diversity statement; statement of teaching philosophy including your thoughts on teaching a diverse student population and creating an inclusive learning environment; writing samples (not to exceed a combined maximum of 30 pages); and 1-3 examples of course syllabi.
QUESTIONS
Questions regarding the School and its open positions, application procedures, or the search process may be emailed to saicteach@saic.edu. 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 transdisciplinary 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 3,640 students in 15 studio departments and 8 academic departments. There are 181 full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty and visiting artists, and 709 adjunct and part-time faculty.
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 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; Art History, Theory, and Criticism; 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
Lumaturije “Luma” Asanoski, 116 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60603, 312.499.4165, lasonoski@saic.edu.
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, fdublon@saic.edu.
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.
REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS
SAIC provides reasonable accommodations during the interview process for candidates with disabilities in adherence with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Should you need an accommodation to participate in an interview, please contact Molly Scranton, Associate Director of Academic Affairs at mscranton@saic.edu.
