Assistant Professor - Department of Art
Western Connecticut State University
School of Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts
Art
Assistant Professor
Tenure Track
Academic Year 2025-2026
Western Connecticut State University’s School of Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted for a tenure track Assistant Professor position in the Department of Art.
WCSU is committed to enhancing our diverse university community by actively encouraging people with disabilities, members of LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities, veterans, and women to apply. We take pride in our pluralistic community and continue to seek excellence through diversity and inclusion. WCSU is honored to be awarded the federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). This accomplishment marks a pivotal moment in our progress toward fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within our campus community.
The School of Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts (SVPCA) www.wcsu.edu/svpa is situated in a beautiful $97 million visual and performing arts center. Only an hour from New York City yet located in the scenic foothills of New England’s Berkshires, the school offers a professional training program in a liberal arts context at the relatively affordable cost of a public university. New York City’s proximity means our students receive the benefit of a faculty of nationally recognized artists, directors, designers, performers, and scholars dedicated to teaching a highly diverse student population. The Department of Art consists of six (6) full-time and 21 part-time faculty who support majors pursuing the B.A. in Art, B.F.A. in Visual Arts with options in Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, and Painting, and an M.F.A. in Visual Arts. Additional information about the department may be found at www.wcsu.edu/art/ and the University at www.wcsu.edu/.
Position Summary: The successful candidate will teach undergraduate Foundation courses including 2D Design, Color Theory, Drawing, including both traditional and digital processes. Foundation coursework emphasizes the development of technical skill and experimentation and equips students to foster self-discovery instilling a practice of critical inquiry before they enter their specialized majors. Additional responsibilities depend on the candidate’s areas of expertise and department needs. The successful candidate must maintain an active program of research/scholarly and/or creative activities as well as build and maintain professional relationships with regional and national artists and arts educators. They will be expected to participate in appropriate department, university, and professional service.
Qualifications: An MFA in Visual Arts or other relevant MFA is required. The candidate should possess proficiency in both traditional and digital processes demonstrated in their own work or student work. Applicants must have at least three (3) years of college teaching experience and must demonstrate evidence of at least five (5) years of broad, ongoing professional level experience. A candidate who does not meet the above standards may also be appointed provided the candidate has credentials and/or experience substantially comparable to the above experience.
WCSU is particularly interested in applicants who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for first-generation and under-represented groups.
Salary & Benefits: The hiring salary range is $73,912 – $86,231 and is commensurate upon candidates' experience. Western offers a comprehensive benefits package. Additional information on benefits can be found at www.wcsu.edu/hr/benefits/. There are grant opportunities to support research and conference attendance.
Application Process: Interested applicants must submit a cover letter (1 page max) to the Search Committee, curriculum vitae, a statement of creative and teaching philosophy (2 page max), a list of three (3) current professional references; a PDF portfolio consisting of 20 examples of candidate’s artwork (including an index page with titles, medium and sizes); and a PDF portfolio consisting of 20 examples of student artwork from Foundation courses (including an index page with course title, medium, and year of completion). All documents must be submitted as three (3) PDF files and emailed to facultyvitae@wcsu.edu. In the Email Subject Line Reference Search #300-062. All materials should be submitted as PDF files. Applications must be received by Friday, January 31, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.
State and Federal requirements expect that organizations with 100 or more employees invite applicants to self-identify gender and race. We kindly request all applicants to complete the Affirmative Action Data Questionnaire via the following link. http://wcsu.edu/diversity/affirmative-action-data-questionnaire/. Any questions may be directed to Ms. Keisha Stokes in the WCSU Office of Diversity and Equity at stokesk@wcsu.edu. Completion of this data will not affect your opportunity for employment, or terms or conditions of employment. This form will be used for reporting purposes only and will be kept separate from all search records and only accessed by the Office of Diversity and Equity.
Western is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Educator/Employer
