"Visiting Assistant Professor (Art History)"

Visiting Assistant Professor (Art History)

Art and Art History

Gustavus Adolphus College invites applications for a full-time one-year position of Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Art and Art History to begin August 15, 2026.

Applicants must have current authorization to work in the United States. Gustavus will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position. Gustavus is not an e-verify institution.

Employment Type: Benefits-Eligible Faculty Appointment (0.57 FTE; 4-course annual teaching load); Exempt (Salaried); In-Person Instruction

Position Overview

• Teach 4 course sections over the academic year. Typically, 2 in the Fall and 2 in the Spring. Two of the sections in Fall and/or Spring may be the same course. Primary teaching responsibilities will include teaching courses in Gender and Art (ART-250), and Reimagining Museums (ART-298) (an interdisciplinary course in Museum Studies that utilizes the Hillstrom Museum of Art and other campus collections for experiential learning). Other courses could include Ritual and Relic, Religion and Art (ART-239), Art and Archeology of the Americas (ART-265), Ochre to Optics: Histories of Color (ART-101), or Why We Make Things: History of Innovation (ART-102). Full course descriptions can be found in our online catalog.
• Help cultivate a welcoming community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We strive to foster an environment where people can be themselves, build community, learn, and grow.

Why Teach at Gustavus?

• Improve your teaching. Take advantage of opportunities to join a teaching circle, participate in workshops, apply for an internal teaching development grant, and engage in conversations about teaching with colleagues across campus.
• Develop professional skills by participating in faculty meetings and committees, attending faculty development days, and taking advantage of the College's membership to the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD).
• Be a part of our community. We offer free parking, exercise classes, and use of library and athletic facilities.

Prerequisites

What We're Looking For

• PhD or ABD in Art History preferred (we will consider MA in Art History, Museum Studies, or Public History)

What's Preferred

• Evidence of effectiveness in teaching
• Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate students
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting students from diverse backgrounds and identities
• Experience as an instructor of record

How to Apply

To apply, visit https://gustavus.edu/jobs/ and complete the online application. The documents that must be uploaded include the following:

• Letter of application that addresses the position qualifications and teaching experience, including specific examples of innovative assignments and pedagogical approaches
• Curriculum vitae
• A brief (one page) statement of research interests, including current and future projects
• Transcripts (scanned copies acceptable)
• The names and contact information for three professional references (at least one must be able to address teaching experience and teaching effectiveness; please indicate the teaching reference in your letter of application). Please do not ask references to submit letters of recommendation; the committee will conduct reference checks by phone.

For full consideration, applications must be received by March 6, 2026. While applications may be accepted after this date, it is not guaranteed that they will be considered. At this time, please only upload the required documents listed above; finalists will be asked to submit sample syllabi that reflect expertise and values in action. Incomplete applications will not be considered by the search committee.

What We Offer

Based on data from AAUP (American Association of University Professors) and CUPA (College and University Professional Association), we offer a competitive starting salary range of $26,405 to $29,070 for a 9-month academic year. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience, training, certifications/licensure, market factors, departmental budgets, and responsibility. In addition, Gustavus provides comprehensive benefits designed to support your personal and financial well-being, including:

• Medical insurance (which includes access to Nice Healthcare) as well as dental, vision, and life insurance
• Workplace accommodations for physical or mental health concerns
• Access to mental health apps
• Onsite health services
• Paid parental leave (after one year of employment)
• Employer contribution to retirement savings plan (after one year of employment)
• Tuition scholarships for dependents
• Tuition benefit plan for employees and spouse

Institution Information

Gustavus Adolphus College is one of the nation's leading private liberal arts colleges serving 1,800 students, where faculty help equip students to lead purposeful lives and to act on the great challenges of our time. The College aspires to be a community of persons from diverse backgrounds who respect and affirm the dignity of all people. Gustavus is located on a scenic 340-acre hill in St. Peter, Minnesota, and within a short drive to the Minneapolis/Saint Paul and Mankato metro areas. Learn more at https://gustavus.edu/about/administrative-offices/provost/prospective-faculty-provost.

Gustavus Adolphus College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.

Department Information

The Gustavus Art and Art History department thrives on the belief that making art and understanding its histories are inseparable practices. Faculty here teach students who are studying the exceptional 20th century American art collection at the Hillstrom Museum one semester and developing bodies of work in their dedicated studio spaces the next. Students routinely combine art with majors across the college-from biology to anthropology to computer science-creating unexpected interdisciplinary conversations that keep teaching dynamic and intellectually rewarding. The department culture prioritizes mentorship, with faculty working closely with students to help each person chart their own path through the visual arts.