Assistant Professor Art (Animation) – Auburn University

The Department of Art & Art History in The College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University is seeking candidates for a full-time, tenure-track position in Animation at the rank of Assistant Professor.

Primary responsibilities include instruction, an active creative research agenda, student mentorship, curriculum development, and service on departmental, college, and university committees.

Additional responsibilities include developing, facilitating, and implementing in collaboration with faculty a rigorous, forward-looking animation curriculum, and oversight of the animation facilities and budget.

The animation curriculum will be closely aligned with other areas of studio art practice. The appointee will teach five courses per year and is expected to maintain an active professional studio practice.

The appointment will begin August 16, 2020.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
MFA degree in animation, time-based media, or related field at the time of appointment. Outstanding candidates will have an active exhibition record, a sustained creative research practice in area of specialization, evidence of effective teaching of animation courses as instructor of record at the college level, and strong written and interpersonal skills.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Priority will be given to artists who can teach a range of skills, including digital, traditional, and innovative approaches; value an experimental and expansive outlook on artmaking; possess a broad understanding of the animation field and contemporary media arts; have a working knowledge of animation history; and demonstrate a strong technical and theoretical foundation in their practice and teaching. Secondary area of expertise. Additional capability to teach the following general courses on rotation with other studio faculty: Professional Studio Practices and the BFA Critique Seminar. Experience with animation curriculum development within a Studio Art context.

For more information and to apply, please visit the listing on our website:
https://aufacultypositions.peopleadmin.com/postings/3822

Candidates should provide evidence, in application materials, of a commitment to fostering and engaging with a diversity of ideas and experiences, which create an inclusive environment in the classroom and at the University.

Please submit the following:

  • Cover letter addressing professional qualifications as they relate to the position and listing the applicant’s website
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • One-page Statement of Teaching Philosophy with emphasis on animation within a studio art context
  • One-page Artist/Creative Research Statement
  • Professional Portfolio: A link to an online portfolio of professional work, which may include up to a 10-minute animation compilation reel, games, or, if applicable, up to 10 other still images. In addition, provide a single PDF with an identification list that includes the following descriptive information:
    • Images: title, date, media, and dimensions
    • Audio: title, date, media, and duration.
    • Video: still image, title, date, media, and duration.
  • Student Portfolio: A link to an online portfolio of student work, which may include up to a 10-minute animation compilation reel, games, or, if applicable, up to 20 other still images. In addition, provide a single PDF with an identification list that includes the following descriptive information:
    • Images: title, date, media, dimensions, course level, date, and assignment
    • Audio: title, date, media, duration, course level, date, and assignment.
    • Video: still image, title, date, media, duration, course level, date, and assignment.
  • Names and contact information of 3 references (letters will be requested at a later date for short-listed candidates).
  • Two samples of animation course syllabi
  • Optional: Student evaluations or other evidence of teaching effectiveness.

Review of applications will begin January 3, 2020 and continue until the position is filled.

Following the initial screening of applications, short-listed candidates will be scheduled for preliminary interviews via video conference. Finalists will be required to submit an official transcript of the terminal degree prior to being invited to campus for in-person interviews.

The candidate selected for this position must be able to meet eligibility requirements to legally work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and throughout the proposed term of employment. Excellent communication skills required. Final appointment is contingent upon funding.

 

About:

The Department of Art & Art History currently offers two degrees in studio art (B.A. and B.F.A), a minor in studio art, a B.A. degree in Art with a formal option in Art History, and a minor in art history. The Department is a charter member of NASAD and is the oldest fully-accredited art department in the Southeast. It is housed in historic Biggin Hall with north-light studio classrooms and a 3-D Arts Building. The department includes an 800 sq. ft. exhibitions gallery. Students and faculty regularly visit and collaborate with the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, which contains an impressive permanent collection of European and American fine and decorative arts, and hosts a roster of first-rate exhibitions, lectures, films, and special events.
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for the Department of Art & Art History.

We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the community within the university and beyond. The Department is an inclusive community that welcomes people from every background and fulfills its land-grant mission through the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. For more details, visit the department website at: http://www.cla.auburn.edu/art/

Auburn University is one of the nation’s premier public land-grant institutions. In 2019, it was ranked 52nd among public universities by U.S. News and World Report. Auburn maintains high levels of research activity and high standards for teaching excellence, offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, Educational Specialist, and Doctor’s degrees in agriculture and engineering, the professions, and the arts and sciences. Its 2018 enrollment of 30,440 students includes 24,628 undergraduates and 5,812 graduate and professional students. Organized into twelve academic colleges and schools, Auburn’s 1,450 faculty members offer more than 200 educational programs. The University is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, its positive work environment, its student engagement, and its beautiful campus. To learn more about Auburn University visit: http://auburn.edu/academic/provost/facultyjobs/

Auburn residents enjoy a thriving community, recognized as one of the “best small towns in America,” with moderate climate and easy access to major cities or to beach and mountain recreational facilities. Situated along the rapidly developing I-85 corridor between Atlanta, Georgia, and Montgomery, Alabama, the combined Auburn-Opelika-Columbus statistical area has a population of over 500,000, with excellent public-school systems and regional medical centers.

“Auburn University is understanding of and sensitive to the family needs of faculty, including dual-career couples.” http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/facultyjobs/

Auburn University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable law.