Assistant Professor of Modern Art History
Working/Functional Title
Assistant Professor of Modern Art History
Position Summary
The Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD) at Michigan State University seeks an Assistant Professor in Art History & Visual Culture with a specialty in modern and/or contemporary art history and the ability to teach courses across both topics. The position is a fixed-term, non-tenure track, academic year appointment (9-month) holding a 5-course annual teaching load at 83% employment, with 2 courses anticipated in fall 2026 and 3 courses in spring 2027. Position commences August 16, 2026 on a 2-year contract with the possibility of renewal.
The successful candidate will primarily teach introductory and advanced courses in modern and contemporary art to undergraduate students in Art History & Visual Culture, Graphic Design, Studio Art, Art Education, and Apparel & Textile Design. Instructional areas will also include an Art Theory graduate seminar (HA801) serving the department’s interdisciplinary Studio Art MFA degree and a general education course in the College of Arts & Letters’ program in Integrative Arts & Humanities.
AAHD Department Overview:
AAHD strives to promote the practice and scholarly research of the most enduring creative media, innovation using the latest technology, and the investigation of the rich intersections between them. Serving over 400 majors, the department is home to more than 60 faculty and staff. We produce a full slate of exhibitions and events each year, including hosting cutting edge and esteemed national and international guests through our Stanley & Selma Hollander Visiting Artist, Designer, and Scholar Lecture Series. For more information about the department, please visit https://art.msu.edu/.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Art History
Minimum Requirements
- Ph.D. in Art History by August 15, 2026
- University-level teaching experience as instructor of record in modern and/or contemporary art history
- Record of research expertise in modern and contemporary art (1870 to the present)
- In-Person Instruction
Desired Qualifications
- Strong communication skills
- Eagerness to contribute to a diverse unit serving students majoring in Apparel & Textile Design, Art Education, Art History & Visual Culture, and Studio Art
Required Application Materials
Qualified applicants should submit:
- a cover letter highlighting experience and qualifications for position
- current curriculum vitae
- evidence of effective university-level teaching in modern and contemporary art history, including statement of teaching philosophy and sample syllabi
- the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of 3 potential referees (please fill out the initial application with these names and contact information)
Special Instructions
Review of applications will begin June 8 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications must be submitted electronically to the Michigan State University Human Resources website http://careers.msu.edu. Posting number 1126719.
For more information, contact Candace M Keller, Chair of the Search Committee at kellercm@msu.edu.
Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodation.
Review of Applications Begins On
06/08/2026
Website
Department Statement
MISSION:
Our department seeks to integrate the history and practice of art and design into the MSU community, through teaching, research, and public engagement. We further the mission of the arts to deepen understanding of the human condition.
VISION:
We inspire rigorous paths of study through individual expression and collaboration that focus in and across disciplines. Our faculty and students make meaningful contributions to and/or challenge existing paradigms in art, art history, and design. Through education and encouragement of broad dialogue within and about the arts, we promote positive and sustainable change in our global community.
VALUES:
As a department within a land-grant institution, we work “to democratize higher education and expand its opportunities based on merit, not social class.” Our creative work and scholarship are sensitive to the intersections between diverse contemporary contexts and their histories. The department provides an empowering environment where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are respected and celebrated.
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