About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
About the Department of Art
The Department of Art at the University of Massachusetts Amherst offers post-secondary education in a full range of disciplines that include painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, animation, intermedia, design and technology, and art education. Interdisciplinary study is at the core of our philosophy, and we encourage students to pursue experience across art disciplines, as well as exploring the diverse fields of arts, humanities, and sciences open to them at this premier research university. We offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts Program tailored to students who plan to become 21st century professional artists and designers, and a Bachelor of Arts in Art degree for Art majors seeking the broadest available liberal arts education. Future primary and secondary school art teachers are comprehensively prepared in our Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education program.
The UMass Amherst Master of Fine Arts Degree in Art program is a three-year immersive course of study for post-graduates who wish to expand their critical thinking and disciplinary techniques, and develop the experience needed for careers in academics. We also offer a Master of Arts Degree in Art Education for prospective and current teachers to engage in advanced professional development.
Our campus hosts five galleries dedicated to exhibitions of student and professional work. Situated in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, UMass is an ideal base from which students may join the rich creative community of artists and craftspeople who live and work in this area.
Job Description
The Department of Art at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor of Art Education to begin September 1, 2025.
The successful candidate will oversee and coordinate the department's BFA and MA Art Education programs, advise students, and provide service to the department, university, and community. Additionally, the position requires collaboration with the UMass Amherst College of Education, ongoing establishment of external relationships with PK-12 public schools, preparation of accreditation materials, and participation in state and national accreditation reviews. Teaching responsibilities will include courses emphasizing the following: introduction to art education, methods course emphasizing digital and traditional studio practices in schools, graduate seminars addressing research and topics current in the field, and the supervision of Art Education student teaching field experiences. The teaching load consists of four courses per academic year.
The candidate must maintain an active, well-articulated research agenda, including scholarly presentations and publications nationally and regionally. They must also offer practice-related presentations for current teachers in the field, build and maintain professional relationships with art educators on the local, regional, and national levels and participate in department, university, and professional service.
Requirements
The successful candidate must have a PhD or EdD degree in Art Education and experience teaching in a university visual arts teacher licensure program. ABD candidates will be considered. Candidates must also have two years of experience teaching visual arts in grades PK-12 in public, private and/or charter school or community based settings. The department values diversity as a factor in academic excellence. We seek applicants who are committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in the field of art education. It is important that candidates have a global perspective and are open to exploring innovative ways to craft curricula, experiences, and projects that empower students to teach with confidence in classroom settings. The successful candidate will have experience in practical and theoretical pedagogies, including familiarity with new technologies and emerging subject areas that contribute to student engagement in PK-12 art classrooms.
Candidates should have experience developing student-centered programs and pedagogical approaches relevant to students in school systems rich in diversity, and at the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, and class. In addition, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to be a significant contributor to the field of art education at state, national, and international levels.
Preferred candidates will have three years of experience teaching visual arts in grades PK-12 in public and/or charter school settings. They will have a strong record of and/or demonstrated potential for scholarly contributions to the field, actively presenting and publishing research in the area of art education on a regular basis, demonstrated commitment to program and course development and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and a record of inclusive excellence and serving diverse populations in teaching, creative research, and/or service. In addition, we seek candidates with familiarity with the license process for pre-service public school art educators (in the state of MA or a comparable state/region) as well as the ability to advise current art educators who are graduate students seeking their MA alongside or in preparation for initial or professional licensure.
Additional Information
Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit the following items.
- Cover Letter
- Teaching philosophy
- Current curriculum vitae
- Academic transcripts
- Three (3) examples of course syllabi
- Statement of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion which describes your past, current, and anticipated contributions in these areas through research, teaching and service
- Contact information of three (3) professional references
- Additional supporting materials including a teaching video may be requested from finalists
To receive full consideration, please submit your application materials by December 2, 2024. The search will remain open until filled; however, applications received after the priority deadline of December 2 may not be reviewed.
The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.