Assistant Professor in Ceramics at Kent University, Kent, OH
Posted on February 6, 2023 – open until filled
The School of Art at Kent State University invites applicants for a full-time non tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Ceramics. This is a 9-month renewable appointment.
Examples of Duties:
Teach a 3-3 load of courses related to ceramics curriculum, plus one course load equivalent of ceramic studio technician duties per term. Courses may include but are not limited to Ceramics 1, Functional Approaches to Clay, Sculptural Approaches to Clay, and Advanced Ceramics. Mentoring of graduate student teaching assistants is also required.
Minimum Qualifications:
MFA in Ceramics. Demonstrated teaching excellence in undergraduate ceramics. Demonstrated experience in ceramics studio management. Demonstrated technical proficiency in the field of ceramics applications and techniques evidenced by engagement with a professional ceramics based studio practice.
Preferred Qualifications – if applicable:
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a deep commitment, understanding, and literacy of the contemporary and historical field of Ceramics including traditional and expanded applications. Knowledge and facility with both functional and sculptural applications is desired. They will be comfortable working, thinking, and collaborating across disciplines in the School of Art and within the College of the Arts, have interests that extend beyond their specialization, and encompass broad approaches to art and critical engagement with arts disciplines. The committee is particularly interested in applications from those who have the ability to situate the study of Ceramics within historical, cultural, and interdisciplinary frameworks.
Assessments:
Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, abilities which require assessments
Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:
Light work-Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Incumbent must be able to communicate with others. Incumbent may be required to travel from building to building frequently and off campus occasionally.
Special Instructions Summary:
Submit the following through our online application portal:
• Cover letter, no more than 2 pages, detailing how this position ties into your teaching and research/creative activity agenda
• Curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information of three professional references
The search committee may request additional materials at a later date, including a teaching philosophy, portfolio, and diversity statement
Review of applications to begin March 6, 2023. Position to remain open until filled.
THE SCHOOL OF ART
The School of Art recognizes the power of art to transform lives and communities through acts of dynamic creation, rigorous instruction, and engaged research. As we reexamine and reimagine our curriculum, we expand definitions of visual arts so as to include the widest possible range of research, pedagogy, and creative expression for all of our students.
We believe that students are best served when excellence in the arts intersects with related disciplines across campus and in our local, national, and global communities. We provide a comprehensive and superior professional education in the study and practice of artmaking, in written and critical analyses of art, and in the development and refinement of art education practice.
Kent State University’s School of Art is one of Ohio’s top schools in the visual arts, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in Art Education, Art History, and Studio Art. The School of Art was rated #9 in the nation in 2021 for schools that offer a Bachelor’s in Art and Art History by Best Value Schools. Our program offers a wide array of studio disciplines, expert faculty, and a place for fine arts and liberal arts to come together in creative and inspiring ways. All studios and classrooms are located under one roof in the new Center for the Visual Arts, a 130,000 square foot, state of the art facility, which had its grand opening in 2016.
Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s top graduate programs in the visual arts, the School of Art offers competitive graduate assistantships in all degree areas. Students are supported and challenged by a world-class faculty, who stimulate individual and collaborative creativity in the classroom, studio and gallery spaces. An accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the School of Art lies in the heart of the vibrant Northeast Ohio arts community and also offers travel study to cities such as New York City, Washington D.C., Florence, Italy and Paris, France, as well as other domestic and international destinations.
THE CERAMICS PROGRAM AT KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
The Ceramics program offers students the opportunity to hone their command of ceramic material to create both artistic and functional forms. Humans have been firing clay to create ceramic vessels and sculptures for tens of thousands of years. Students who major in ceramics at the School of Art find new ways of practicing an ancient craft, drawing on both traditional and contemporary thought and practice. Additionally, the coursework for the ceramics degrees investigates practices from around the world, providing students with a global context for understanding the medium.
Development of the artist’s individual vision is one of the program’s highest priorities. The ceramics lab provides a space for creation, experimentation and dialogue in the continuing evolution of the medium.
The Bachelor of Arts program in Studio Art offers students a more generalized course of study and the opportunity to pursue a minor. The Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Studio Art with a concentration in Ceramics is a pre-professional degree intended to prepare students for graduate study.
The School of Art offers the Master of Arts degree in Studio Art and the Master of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics. Students select course work in close consultation with their advisor. The program aims to guide young artists from a mentor/student relationship into the world of the professionally active studio artist. In addition to the development of an advanced personal aesthetic, the curriculum in ceramics includes kiln design and construction, exploration of materials, and the design, construction and maintenance of facilities.
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
The mission of Kent State University is to transform lives and communities through the power of discovery, learning and creative expression in an inclusive environment. Kent State University supports a student-centered agenda and provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations. Together, these core values are at the center of all that we do across eight campuses. The region offers outstanding arts programming and a culturally enriched community nestled on the Cuyahoga River near Cleveland and world-class performing arts organizations and facilities.
