University of Memphis

Posting Number FAE1730

Advertised Title Professor Chair

Campus Location Main Campus (Memphis, TN)

Position Number 002139

Category Full-Time Faculty

Department Art

Position Summary

The Department of Art and Design at the University of Memphis invites applications for the chair of its Department of Art and Design. This is a tenured, full-time, 12-month administrative faculty position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The appointment begins in August 2024.

The Department of Art and Design welcomes candidates in any discipline of studio art practice, art history, or related fields. Candidates for the position must have earned a doctoral, MFA, or other terminal degree, or equivalent, and have a record of experience commensurate with a tenured appointment at the rank of associate professor or professor in the Department of Art & Art History at the time of appointment. Candidates will be asked to articulate an innovative vision for the future and growth of the department that values progressive forward thinking, critical inquiry, and creativity.

This position reports directly to the Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts. Duties will include providing artistic, administrative, and academic leadership of the department in recruitment, fund-raising in collaboration with Dean and CCFA Director of Development, grant writing, and community outreach; managing the department’s budget; supervising and evaluating faculty and staff; a continued commitment to teaching by teaching two courses a year; and contributing as a member of the Dean’s CCFA leadership team.

The chair supports departmental faculty and staff in their academic research, creative, and service responsibilities. The chair will assume administrative responsibility for directing the department’s faculty/staff hiring, annual reviews, budgeting, course planning, curriculum, facilities, and other academic duties; be committed to the professional development of faculty, staff, and students; and foster collaborations within the Department and with other appropriate campus and community units. The chair will work with a wide range of constituents to build these important relationships. Applicants are sought who are committed to recruiting and retaining diverse faculty, staff, and students. The chair reports to the Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts. Responsibilities include:

• Lead the department in its vision, leadership, and innovative strategic planning
• Curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Provide leadership for faculty, staff, and student success
• Create a sense of community and an inclusive and nurturing environment for students, staff, and faculty involved in the various programs that fall within the Department of Art and Design
• Oversight of recruitment, diversity initiatives, external funding efforts, supervising and evaluating faculty and staff, and supporting faculty and student research.
• Develop and maintain facilities and resources that serve research and curricular needs.
• Cultivate relationships with donors and alumni in collaboration with the advancement team and CCFA Dean.
• Serve as the department’s representative to the campus, alumni, the professional community, and the public.
• Teach two courses per academic year and may serve on graduate committees.

Contribute as a member of the Dean’s CCFA Leadership Team

Minimum Position Qualifications

Earned terminal degree in an area related to the department, or a master’s degree in an area related to the academic offerings of the department plus equivalent distinguished national/international accomplishments; substantial record of peer-reviewed scholarly research and/or artistic achievement commensurate with an appointment at the level of associate or full professor; demonstrated administrative, managerial, budgeting, communication and leadership skills; demonstrated ability in development; commitment to a broad academic program; experience in leading a department through accreditation; commitment to excellence in teaching; and demonstrated commitment to working successfully with a diverse undergraduate and graduate student population.

Preferred Qualifications

• Record of leadership or collaboration with creative and scholarly organizations both within and outside of higher education.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational skills, and written and oral communication
• An awareness and understanding of the national trends and issues currently impacting the arts in higher education

Special Conditions

The Department of Art and Design serves over 400 undergraduate and graduate students and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The Department offers programs in Art Education, Art History, Ceramics, Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, Graphic Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Visual Arts. Programs in the Department of Art and Design lead to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), the Master of Arts (M.A.) the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) or the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degrees.

The Department of Art and Design is in the College of Communication and Fine Arts, which includes the departments of Architecture, Communication and Film, Journalism and Strategic Media, Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, Theatre and Dance, Art Museum and Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology. With an enrollment of over 22,000 students, the University of Memphis is a leading metropolitan research university, noted for drawing on the strengths and challenges of our urban setting and region.

Posting Date 01/02/2024

Closing Date

Open Until Screening Begins Yes

Hiring Range Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time: Benefits Eligible

Special Instructions to Applicants

Candidates should visit: http://workforum.memphis.edu to submit an application. Additional items required at the time of application include the following:

• Cover letter addressing the position’s qualifications and responsibilities including previous leadership and administrative experience and accomplishments
• Curriculum vitae
• Philosophy statement addressing a vision for the department’s future
• Contact information (phone and email) for five professional references

Additional materials and/or documentation may be requested at a later date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Preference will be given to candidates that apply by February 16, 2024.

Review of applications may continue until a successful candidate is named.

Instructions to Applicant regarding references

Is this posting for UofM employees only? No

Benefits of Employment (Applies to full-time, non-police employees only)