"Affiliate Professor of Introduction to Art Department of Visual & Media Arts"

Affiliate Professor of Introduction to Art Department of Visual & Media Arts

Allendale, MI
Full Time
R103809

Summary

The Department of Visual & Media Arts (VMA) at Grand Valley State University invites applications for a position as Affiliate Professor of Introduction to Art, to begin Fall 2026. The successful candidate will teach four sections of ART 101 - Introduction to Art (a general education course designed for non-majors) per semester and will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the course, including curriculum oversight, assessment, staffing, scheduling, and budget management. This is an in-person teaching assignment.

Applicants are expected to have, at minimum, a master's degree in a discipline represented by the VMA's five major programs (Art Education, Art History, Film/Video Production, Photography, or Studio Art). Individuals from all backgrounds, including from underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates must be able to effectively engage with students, colleagues, and community members with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Required Qualifications and Education

• MA, MFA, or Ph.D. in a field represented by the five major programs in the Department of Visual & Media Arts: Art Education, Art History, Film/Video Production, Photography, or Studio Art. (Note: There are eight areas of concentration within the Studio Art major, including Ceramics, Graphic Design, Illustration, Jewelry/Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Visual Studies.)
• Two years of college level teaching in a field related to one of the five major programs in VMA: Art Education, Art History, Film/Video Production, Photography, or Studio Art.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect and cultural humility.

Preferred Qualifications and Education

• Experience teaching introductory art to non-majors, online and in-person
• Evidence of sustained engagement with contemporary visual arts
• Evidence of experience with curriculum development
• Evidence of leadership experience in an academic or professional context

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will teach eight courses per year (4/4, 24 credits per year) in a NASAD-accredited undergraduate program. Their principal teaching assignment will include multiple sections of ART 101, with the potential for teaching one course each year in another VMA program area. In addition, they will act as coordinator of the ART 101 course, responsible for oversight of its curriculum, assessment, staffing, scheduling, and budget.

ART 101 is a general education course for non-art majors, designed to foster interest and appreciation for the arts broadly, serving between 400-600 Grand Valley students each year. There are typically 13-15 sections of 101 per semester, each comprised of 35 seats.

The successful candidate will apply a broad perspective in their teaching and coordination of ART 101, ideally making connections between course content, the five major VMA programs, and supporting a liberal arts education.

Affiliate faculty are not required to maintain an active record of scholarship/creative work. However, they are expected to remain current in their field of practice through professional development activities... Professional Development financial support can be obtained annually through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences...

Typically, the initial appointment for Affiliate Faculty is for one academic year, on a full-time basis. This may be renewed once for an additional academic or fiscal year. Thereafter, such individuals may be appointed for up to three consecutive academic or fiscal years. Employment contracts are renewable.

Minimum Starting Salary

$51,000; commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

How To Apply

Apply online at GVSU Careers. To be considered for the position, applicants must upload the following items to the online application:

• A cover letter addressing your qualifications and interest in working with non-art majors
• A curriculum vitae (including contact information for three professional references)
• A sample syllabus for a course you have previously taught, showcasing learner-centered pedagogical approaches considerate of non-majors or those new to a discipline
• A document with links to up to 10 samples of student work... and up to five samples of your completed or in-progress scholarly/creative work...
• A copy of graduate transcripts (unofficial acceptable).

Questions about the position may be sent directly to Professor Brett Colley, search committee chair, at colleyb@gvsu.edu.

Application Deadline

Consideration of applicants will begin on January 5, 2026. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the university thereafter.