The James DePreist Visiting Professorship / Assistant Professor of Practice

Portland State University College of the Arts and the School of Art + Design invite applications for the James DePreist Visiting Professorship. One of the first African-American conductors in the world stage, James DePreist helmed orchestras from Amsterdam to Tokyo and is credited with building the Oregon Symphony into one worthy of international acclaim. A National Medal of Arts winner, poet and educator, Mr. DePreist demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the power of arts education and the importance of equal access. This Professorship seeks to perpetuate his exemplary spirit by supporting inclusive experiences and diverse, non-western perspectives in art and design education. The teaching focus of each new Professorship is determined by the current needs of the School of Art + Design in concert with the interests and expertise of the successful candidate. For the 2020-

2022 position we seek a practicing artist with an active record in emergent digital practices including photography, new media and installation. Artists and designers whose work is at the intersection of art and technology and/or explores the role of digital media arts in culture and the public realm are especially encouraged to apply. This is a 1.0 FTE, two-year position, renewable for a maximum total of four years. Extension of this appointment is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory two-year review. The position begins September 16, 2020.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This full-time fixed term position teaches 9 classes (36 credits) during the three-quarter academic year. Instructional workload reduction may be made to accommodate recruitment and outreach activities, advising and mentoring students, committee work, curriculum or special program development. The faculty member will maintain an active practice in artistic field of research.

Minimum Qualifications

Master of Fine Arts or Ph.D. candidate in Digital Media Art, Photography, or related field.
An active contemporary art/design practice focusing on non-western perspectives across the realm of Digital and/or Photographic approaches.
A record of accomplishment as a contemporary practicing artist or designer.
College-level teaching experience.
Demonstrated interest in contributing to a contemporary interdisciplinary setting in an atmosphere of close faculty-student mentoring
Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite software and digital printing in a MacIntosh environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Two years of teaching experience at the college/university level beyond a teaching assistantship.
Experience teaching one or more of the following: contemporary media theory, history of photography, feminist theory, Indigenous arts/Visual arts by indigenous peoples of the Americas, and/or theory from a non-eurocentric perspective.
Use of programming languages such as Processing, openFrameworks, Max/MSP/Jitter, TouchDesigner, Python, etc. in creative work.
An interest in developing community-based courses.
A record of community outreach activities.
Experience in curriculum development.

Key Cultural Competencies

Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Professional Standards of Conduct

At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct which are available at www.pdx.edu/hr/professional-standards-conduct.

Total Compensation & Benefits

The starting annual salary rate for this position is dependent upon qualifications and experience. PSU’s excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon Public Universities

To Apply

To apply please submit a letter of interest, CV, a statement of teaching philosophy, artist statement (upload under “Other 2”), 15 images of professional work (upload under “Work Sample”), 10 images of student work (upload under “Other 4”), and full contact information for three references (including phone numbers and email addresses). Letters of recommendation will not be requested until applicants are selected for further consideration.

https://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/31523

Additional Application Instructions

Review of applications will begin February 1st, 2020. All applications must be received by the deadline of April 1st, 2020. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
For further information please contact Professor Pat Boas at boasp@pdx.edu.

About

Portland State University is a nationally acclaimed leader in sustainability and community-based learning. Oregon’s largest and most diverse university, PSU serves just under 30,000 students from 50 states and nearly 100 nations. Within this context, PSU’s School of Art + Design offers degree programs that help students explore the many ways artists and designers function in and serve society. With more than 1,000 undergraduate majors, a vibrant dual-focus graduate program and a dedicated faculty of artists, designers and scholars, the School of A+D is a place where students from a variety of backgrounds interact, exchange ideas and cross conventional aesthetic boundaries.

The School of Art + Design’s degree programs are built upon an intensive first-year core that introduces the materials, language, ideas and techniques of interdisciplinary practice in art, design and art history. From this common core, students may pursue a BFA degree in Art Practice, a BFA in Graphic Design or a BA/BS in Art History. Emphasizing community, visual literacy, the critical exploration of ideas, and the importance of craft, our degree programs provide students with opportunities to forge connections among traditions of visual art, the social dimension of art and design, and their own developing expression.