"Assistant Professor of Studio Art: Art Sculpture Tenure Track"

Job Details

GRINNELL COLLEGE. The Department of Studio Art invites applications for a tenure-track appointment in Sculpture at the Assistant Professor level beginning Fall 2026. Applicants must have a terminal MFA and research interest in sculpture and spatial practices; two or more years of higher education teaching experience preferred.

The teaching load is five courses over two semesters; periodically one course will be Tutorial (a topical writing/critical thinking course for first-year students, the only College-wide requirement beyond the completion of a major in an individually-advised curriculum). Teaching within a liberal arts studio program necessitates teaching a breadth of courses at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels, as well as the ability to situate studio instruction within the contemporary contexts in which sculpture is practiced. Likely courses for this position will include ART 111: Introduction to the Studio (a studio course open to both majors and non-majors), ART 242: Sculpture (an intermediate media course), and ART 315: Contemporary Practices (an interdisciplinary advanced studio course); faculty also have the ability to propose new content courses that relate to their research and teaching interests.

Studio Facilities and Institutional Context:

• One large sculpture studio with courtyard, adjoining metals facility equipped with Mig welders, and a small non-adjoining wood shop.
• Dedicated studios for painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, and drawing equipped with spray booths, industrial ventilation, and southern light; all are smart-room equipped
• Dedicated computer lab, and MacBook laptop cart
• A digital fabrication lab, 3D printer, large format Epson printers, Epilogue Laser, digital cameras, and a yearly ability to request new equipment
• Two highly skilled, full-time lab technicians
• Private onsite studio for each studio professor
• Formal mentorship opportunities for new faculty
• New faculty only teach four courses during their first year
• A commitment to economic accessibility in artmaking: Grinnell College pays for all enrolled student art supplies
• New faculty start-up funds to support research and teaching
• Faculty receive both pre-tenure and post-tenure sabbaticals
• Faculty receive yearly research stipends of $3000, with additional funding up to $10,000 through internal competitive grants

Grinnell College is a highly selective undergraduate liberal arts college with a strong tradition of social responsibility. In letters of application, candidates should discuss their potential to contribute to a college community that maintains a diversity of people and perspectives as one of its core values. To be assured of full consideration, all application materials should be received by 5 January 2026. Please visit our application website at https://jobs.grinnell.edu to find more details about the job and submit applications online. Candidates will need to upload the following materials:

• A letter of application in which you speak to your interest in developing as a teacher-scholar in a highly selective undergraduate liberal arts college that emphasizes close student-faculty interaction
• Curriculum Vitae
• Graduate and undergraduate transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable)
• A statement of teaching philosophy that addresses your ability to work effectively with a diverse range of students
• A sample Sculpture syllabus
• Three examples of Sculpture project descriptions you might include as course requirements
• A current Artist Statement
• A PDF portfolio containing 15 images of creative research (time-based work should be represented by links, and under two minutes)
• A PDF portfolio containing 15 examples of student work
• The names and contact information for three professional references

Questions about this search should be directed to the search chair, Professor Andrew Kaufman, at StudioArtSearch@grinnell.edu or 641-269-3173.

Grinnell College is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe and nondiscriminatory educational environment for all College community members. It is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in matters of admission, employment, and housing, and in access to and participation in its education programs, services, and activities. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, religion, disability, creed, or any other protected class.

An offer for this position will be contingent on successful completion of a background check.