Visiting Assistant Professor of Sculpture

APPOINTMENT STATUS: Full-time Visiting Assistant Professor, 9-month appointment, non-tenure track position in the School of Visual Studies, College of Arts & Science, at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

SALARY: Competitive and commensurate with experience, full benefits

EFFECTIVE DATE OF POSITION: August 15, 2025 (classes begin on August 25)

POSITION: The School of Visual Studies (SVS) invites applications for a full-time Visiting Assistant Professor of Sculpture at the University of Missouri starting Fall 2024. The ideal candidate will be able to teach all levels of sculpture and also 3D Materials and Methods in the Art Foundations program. The candidate will also manage the sculpture studio facilities and order supplies. The ideal candidate will possess a secondary research interest with the ability to teach in ceramics, fibers/papermaking, and/or woodworking.

The School of Visual Studies has a strong commitment to cultivating a learning community in which everyone is welcome and valued. The school is currently focused on developing an ever more equitable curriculum, on recruiting, supporting, and maintaining an engaged student body, and on mentoring all students. The School also provides mentoring for new faculty.

POSITION DUTIES

70% Teaching (6 courses per academic year) and 30% Service which includes the sculpture studio management.

RESPONSIBILITIES

* Teach 6 courses per academic year (3/3); teaching courses in sculpture and 3D Materials & Methods.

* Manage the Sculpture facilities and order supplies

* Supervise grads teaching assistants assigned to work in the sculpture studio

* Collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and administration in curriculum and program development

* Participate in SVS and MU recruitment and retention activities/events.

* Participate in SVS events, as needed

* Serve on school and university committees, as needed.

* Build a strong sense of community among the students.

* Participate in the MFA program as a member of the graduate faculty.

TEACHING AND MENTORING EXPECTATIONS:

Teaching in the School of Visual Studies requires a focus on engaging, educating, and mentoring a diverse group of learners, which includes creating high-impact opportunities such as sponsoring student research or internships, developing collaborative teaching opportunities with other disciplines, and using innovative pedagogies. Teaching in SVS also requires mentoring undergraduate students as appropriate in academic, research and professional development to support student success.

The School of Visual Studies service expectations include participation in recruitment and retention efforts, serving on program, school or college committees as appropriate, and participation in professional academic organizations outside the University, including professional and community-based groups that advance SVS's goals of student success and diversity.

The successful candidate will be a well-rounded artist\educator demonstrating skills in sculpture. The ideal candidate is an artist with expertise in both contemporary and traditional sculpture who is interested in teaching across disciplines in the program and beyond. Although our sculpture facility supports wood and mixed media work, it currently has no casting facilities and only limited welding capacity.

Minimum Qualifications

* MFA, or equivalent terminal degree in Studio Art, Design, or related field.

* Documented record of two or more years of teaching.

Applicants will be evaluated on:

1. Teaching experience beyond GTA.

2. Experience with a variety of teaching strategies.

3. Ability to teach introductory and advanced level sculpture courses.

4. Ability to teach 3-D foundations course.

5. In-depth experience in operation of all woodshop equipment and an understanding of proper shop safety practices.

6. Demonstrated ability to work well with other faculty and students on collaborative projects.

7. Demonstrated evidence of engaging, educating, and mentoring a diverse group of learners.

Use the online application and be prepared to upload the following:

1. Letter of application that clearly addresses key qualifications.

2. Current comprehensive CV.

3. Professional statement that includes your teaching philosophy.*

4. Artist Statement

5. Links to 20 samples of relevant creative work or images of personal creative work with image inventory sheet as a single PDF (maximum 5MB)

6. Links to 20 samples of students' work or images of student work with image inventory sheet as a single PDF (maximum 5MB)

7. Example of one or more sculpture syllabus

8. The names, email addresses, and phone numbers of three (3) professional references who can confirm the candidate's qualifications and experience.

* In your professional statement, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support teaching and engagement.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin on June 30 and will continue until the position is filled. Early applications will be given preference. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom. Applicants may contact the Chair of the Search Committee, Joseph Pintz (pintzj@missouri.edu) with any questions regarding the job duties and Human Resource Services (muhrs@missouri.edu) with any questions regarding the application process. An equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer

About the Art Program:

MU's Art Program develops creative thinkers, professional artists and cultural leaders through a curriculum that balances innovation, traditional craftsmanship, and critical thinking. Art majors can study drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, fibers, and sculpture. Students have access to a wide variety of facilities including a fully equipped woodshop, RISO lab, digital and darkroom photo labs, papermaking\Fibers facility, and state-of-the-art digital labs as well as specialty equipment such as wood-burning kilns, TC2 Jacquard digital loom, and relief and litho printing presses.

About the School of Visual Studies:

The School of Visual Studies, including degree programs in Art, Art History, Digital Storytelling, Film Studies and Film Production, and Graphic Design, resides in the College of Arts & Science, and was launched in 2017 to create a collaborative, interdisciplinary, cutting-edge education that reflects 21^st century studio practice and visual culture. SVS offers Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees within the five programs. SVS is also home to the George Caleb Bingham Gallery featuring exhibitions by visiting artists, faculty and students.

Established in 1839, the University of Missouri knows what it means to be first. We were the first public university west of the Mississippi River. We are home to the world's first journalism school. We started the tradition of homecoming. As a flagship, land-grant institution and one of only 71 universities across the U.S. and Canada to be a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, we are a campus where empathy, innovation and hard work combine to solve the world's grand challenges. Our community of students, faculty and staff enhances bovine reproduction, composes award-winning music and generates life-saving radioisotopes in the most powerful university research reactor in the country. We tackle diverse problems because Missouri is a diverse state - from the southern Ozarks to the northern plains. We are Mizzou, where Black and Gold runs deep and Truman the Tiger embodies our bold spirit.

The University of Missouri is fully committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff and students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal, student success, and our core campus values of respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence. The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled & Veteran Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

About Columbia, Missouri:

Ranked by the American Institute for Economic Research as one of the nation's top 10 college towns, Columbia combines small-town comforts, community spirit and a low cost of living with big-city culture, activities and resources. Columbia is home to about 120,000 people and lies midway between Missouri's largest metro areas: St. Louis and Kansas City. It is packed with restaurants and entertainment venues; home to multiple parks and outdoor recreation sites such as Rock Bridge State Park and the MKT Trail; and hosts more than a dozen annual cultural festivals, including the internationally known True False Film Festival. Money magazine,

Fortune magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Men's Journal, MSN.com and others have all named Columbia one of the best places in the country to live.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.