Game Art Full time faculty position Western Michigan University

The Western Michigan University Frostic School of Art (FSoA) seeks a full-time faculty position with a primary expertise in Game Art beginning Fall Semester 2024. Salary: Competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, with an excellent benefits package. Expected Start Date: August 2024 Major Responsibilities: The Kinetic Imaging program welcomed the first class of students in fall 2022. The FSoA Kinetic Imaging area will provide students with artistic and professional skills to succeed in their careers as artists and designers. The Kinetic Imaging curriculum introduces students to essential proficiencies in all facets of professional practice within animation, game art, and/or video art. This position encompasses the teaching up to three courses per Fall and Spring semesters at all undergraduate levels in the Foundation Art and Kinetic Imaging areas. Successful candidates must be able to teach courses in Game Art that include diverse perspectives of 3D modeling, 3D animation, and approaches to game art, theory, and design. A knowledge of game engines including but not limited to Unity or Unreal Engine is preferred. Collaboration across mediums is encouraged. Successful candidates must be able to teach with fluency in theoretical and historical aspects of experimental game art. Curriculum will interface with The Virtual Imaging Technology Lab at integral points. Candidates should be able to make connections across the Kinetic Imaging curriculum, fostering an interdisciplinary studio practice. Candidates are expected to maintain an active research record and participate in contractually appropriate service to the institution, which includes candidates’ vision towards the development of the game art track. Aligned with Western Michigan University’s Mission, we are an access-oriented institution that provides an impactful and inclusive education that integrates discovery and fosters holistic growth and well-being “so that all may learn”. Our WMU Strategic Plan 2022-32 centering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion includes objectives that are responsive to our campus, regional, and national demographics. This opportunity is a reflection of our commitment to advancing systemic equity, inclusion, and justice, and therefore WMU seeks candidates that will reflect this alignment and commitment. Required Qualifications: At a minimum, applicants must hold a Master of Fine Arts degree or international equivalent and have at least two years of college-level teaching experience with an emphasis in related media. Applicant should have a vibrant professional exhibition record commensurate with years of experience in the field; evidence of creative, professional, and curricular accomplishment in game art, or related media is required. Additional preferred qualification includes: • Skills in additional areas of Kinetic Imaging, including sound art, illustration or animation desirable • A comprehensive knowledge of appropriate hardware and software • Experience with curriculum design and planning. • Knowledge and commitment to health and safety in the arts. • Proven track record of working well with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. • Ability to develop and nurture individual student artistic and professional abilities. • A strong commitment to self-learning to maintain or develop new technical expertise as required by changes to contemporary art and design practice. The Kinetic Imaging component of the FSoA curriculum introduces students to the process of thinking and working with time-based media related tools in support of art and design practice, while initiating dialog into issues of aesthetic storytelling and diverse contemporary topics. It challenges students to think critically about their work and the work of others, and to articulate informed ideas in order to advance understanding of a broad variety of methodologies, including contemporary and emerging technologies. The School: The Gwen Frostic School of Art is one of four units in the College of Fine Arts and is comprised of 315 undergraduate art majors, 22 full-time faculty, 15-20 part-time faculty, and seven staff. The School is NASAD accredited and offers BAs in Art and Art History; BFAs in Art Education and Graphic Design; BFAs with emphasis in Ceramics, Metals/Jewelry, Painting, Photography, Printmedia, and Sculpture. The School encompasses 40,000 sq. ft. of galleries, lecture halls, classrooms, design and art studios in the James W. and Lois I. Richmond Center for Visual Arts, and an additional 88,000 sq. ft. of classrooms and art studios in South Kohrman Hall. http://www.wmich.edu/art The FSOA is committed to inclusion, serving the needs of a diverse student population and/or reaching out to diverse communities. The College: The College of Fine Arts (CFA) consists of the Gwen Frostic School of Art, The School of Theatre and Dance, the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music, and the Richmond Institute for Design and Innovation which houses the Product Design and Interior Design and Architecture program. All units in the College are nationally accredited. Facilities for the learning and practice of the arts at WMU are exceptional and compare favorably with other schools nationally with similar mission and scope. With a student body of approximately 1200, the CFA entering class regularly has the highest academic profile of any college at the University. The College of Fine Arts is housed in Dalton Center, Richmond Center for Visual Arts, and South and Central Kohrman Hall, and the Gilmore Theatre Complex surrounding Fountain Plaza. Facilities for the learning and practice of the arts are the envy of the Mid-America region. Students perform in three theatres, a multi-media room, 400 seat recital hall, and dance performance studio mounting over 400 performances annually. New visual art studies, motion capture lab, specialized computer labs, and other laboratories are professionally equipped. State-of-the-art facilities host exhibitions of student, faculty, and visiting artist works. http://wmich.edu/finearts The Virtual Imaging Technology Lab is WMU’s newly renovated 3,000+ sq foot space in the College of Fine Arts, which houses an incredible array of virtual and immersive imaging and entertainment technologies. Highlighted by the stunning 28’x10’ LED Wall, the facility is outfitted with high-end graphics computers, professional video cameras, lighting and sound equipment, optical and suit-based motion capture systems, streaming technology and virtual and augmented reality hardware. In addition to main studio space, VITAL is also home to a dedicated podcasting room, offices, and a small computer lab. Combining this variety and quality of technology under one roof will allow designers, researchers, artists and creators to collaborate and explore their unique visions. The University: Western Michigan University is a learner-centered, discovery-driven, and globally engaged public university that stands out among America’s more than 4,000 higher education institutions. Founded in 1903, WMU has grown to become a major national research university enrolling more than 16,000 students from across the United States and 100 other countries. Based in Kalamazoo, WMU is a friendly, top-rated college town situated close to large urban centers, great jobs, and abundant recreational areas. WMU delivers high-quality undergraduate instruction, has a strong graduate division, and fosters significant research activities. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has placed WMU among the 76 public R2 institutions in the nation designated as a doctoral university with higher research activities. Non-Discrimination Policy: Western Michigan University prohibits discrimination or harassment that violates the law or that limits opportunities of admission, employment, or education based on the protected classes of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, protected disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, height, weight, or marital status. Diversity and Inclusion: The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is unequivocally committed to the movement to create equity for all historically marginalized groups. We stand in solidarity with the oppressed. Having said this, our focus going forward is to define and understand our role, which is to provide educational programming and strategies to dismantle institutional and systemic inequities at Western Michigan University. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is working to create engaging and challenging programming with an emphasis on expanding perspectives. We will be calling on all levels of the University to weave equitable practices throughout the work that is conducted on behalf of this University. Together, we can build a better University that truly demonstrates the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. WMU’s Strategic Plan: Taking action to dismantle the structural and cultural barriers that stand in the way of “so that all may learn” requires us to be a responsive university that actively prepares for the future ahead. WMU is committed to improving access to learning opportunities by fostering a supportive University environment and culture while providing a relevant education with a robust return on investment. This means cultivating a student-centered growth mindset that is focused on developing 21st-century transferable knowledge, skills and aspirations. In turn, our students are equipped to make a positive impact on the world as well-rounded, global citizens. Western’s new Strategic Plan 2022-32 will cover a span of 10 years and is framed around seven key priority areas; Academic Excellence, Community Building, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Internationalization, Research and Creative Scholarship, Sustainability and Well-being. This plan serves as a guide for the University strategic investment and decision making, while incorporating a 3-4-3-year plan evaluation structure that enables us to respond to changes in our environment and to evolve our process as milestones are reached. https://wmich.edu/strategic Kalamazoo: Western Michigan University is located in the arts-friendly community of Kalamazoo, Michigan, a metropolitan area of 250,000 located halfway between Chicago and Detroit. The community is enriched by the “Kalamazoo Promise”, an endowment program that provides each Kalamazoo Public School graduate with the opportunity to attend post-secondary education with up to a 100% tuition scholarship. https://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/kalamazoopromise Application Deadline: The review of complete applications is in progress and will continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, application materials must be received by March 18, 2024. Application Requirements in a single pdf to include the following: • letter of application • curriculum vitae • statement of teaching philosophy • diversity statement • three references • A link your professional website • 20 samples of professional work • 20 samples of student work Both professional and student samples should be provided with titles, dates, descriptions, and links for each sample. Apply Here: http://www.wmich.edu/hr/jobs If you have problems uploading your complete portfolio, please contact Human Resources at (269) 387-3620. Western Michigan University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer consistent with applicable federal and state law. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

The Gwen Frostic School of Art is one of four units in the College of Fine Arts and is comprised of 315 undergraduate art majors, 22 full-time faculty, 15-20 part-time faculty, and seven staff. The School is NASAD accredited and offers BAs in Art and Art History; BFAs in Art Education and Graphic Design; BFAs with emphasis in Ceramics, Metals/Jewelry, Painting, Photography, Printmedia, and Sculpture. The School encompasses 40,000 sq. ft. of galleries, lecture halls, classrooms, design and art studios in the James W. and Lois I. Richmond Center for Visual Arts, and an additional 88,000 sq. ft. of classrooms and art studios in South Kohrman Hall.