University of Houston

The School of Art in the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts at the University of Houston invites applications for a full-time, tenure track Assistant Professor of Photography and Digital Media position to begin Fall 2022. The School seeks outstanding candidates with a commitment to creative research and production; an active engagement with contemporary issues and discourse; and demonstrated adaptation to innovations in a dynamically evolving field. The successful candidate will have an active exhibition record and a developing record as a teacher and professional in the field of contemporary art. Candidates with an expansive approach to contemporary image-based creation are welcome to apply.

Responsibilities include a 2/3 teaching load comprising foundation, intermediate and advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in photography and/or video, including studio courses for majors in the candidate’s area of expertise; an ongoing program of scholarly research and creative work; and departmental, college, and university service. Areas of research could include but are not limited to photographic, video and experimental camera processes.

This position is part of an Interdisciplinary Cluster Hire program in the studio practice disciplines in the McGovern College of the Arts. The program is one of many initiatives that advances the McGovern College’s priority of achieving an inclusive and innovative climate.

The McGovern College of the Arts understands the value of a diverse faculty, of a diversity of approaches to the arts, and of approaching the arts as an interdisciplinary area of study. The College believes that such values are fundamental to the future of arts production. To express its commitment to these values, the Interdisciplinary Cluster Hire program seeks to identify and build a diverse network of practitioners, researchers, and scholars that will inform and support the work of the College in these areas. The program will bring a minimum of six new faculty members to the College’s studio practice disciplines.

The McGovern College is the culturally rich and innovative home of the visual and performing arts at the University of Houston, one of the most diverse R1 institutions in the nation and situated in the thriving, diverse, and dynamic arts metropolis that is the twenty‐first century city of Houston. Therefore, the successful candidate for this position will excel at teaching and mentoring students who are broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion.

The University of Houston is recognized as one of the most diverse public research university in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. It is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) by the U.S. Department of Education. Individuals with a history of and commitment to mentoring students from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply, as are individuals whose creative work reflects the University of Houston’s commitment to diversity.

Required Application Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• CV
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Three Professional References (names and contact information only at this time)
• Portfolio of creative/academic/professional work (20 images or video clips)
• Portfolio of representative student work (10-15 images or video clips)
• Applicants must submit a 750‐word statement addressing their experience with, interest in, or contributions to diversity and inclusion efforts that impact students, faculty, staff, or the applicant’s field of study; and addressing how they envision demonstrating a similar commitment at the University of Houston. Applicants may address their experience, interest, or contributions in one or more of the following areas:

1. Teaching and mentoring a range of artistic expressions that reflect the diversification of the arts disciplines and the need to ensure access to an arts education to as wide a student body as possible.

2. A commitment to pursuing a sustainable agenda of research and artistic practice dedicated to interdisciplinary cultural studies or to an overall research agenda that supports diversity in the arts disciplines. Areas of secondary interdisciplinary interest that might be reflected in one’s practice include, for example, Comparative Cultural Studies, Cultural Anthropology, Diaspora Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Racial Inequality, Social Justice, Sociology, or others.

3. Collaborating across the arts disciplines with artists whose specializations or practices differ from your own.

4. Developing interdisciplinary curriculum that reflects diversification of the arts disciplines beyond the “Western canon” as codified in the last century. Search committees will give preference to candidates whose statements best represent these criteria when choosing candidates to advance to the next stage of the search process.

Preferential deadline is January 3, 2022, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The University of Houston is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Additionally, the University prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

MFA in Studio Arts with a focus in Photography, Digital Media or Video. Active exhibition record or other evidence of creative/critical practice. The successful candidate will also be able to demonstrate skills or experience that would aid in serving a diverse student population.

Preferred Qualifications

1-2 years of college-level teaching experience beyond the Master’s degree; familiarity with art history and theory; and proficiency with foundation and advanced media software.

Applicants for the position are expected to exhibit the following core values and competencies:

• Passion, energy and tenacity
• Integrity and collegiality, especially in regards to diversity
• An ability to attract resources, including grants or other external sources of support that advance the school’s mission
• An aptitude for building dynamic degree programs and recruiting top-tier students
• An ability to find creative solutions to difficult problems.

School of Art faculty are also committed to:

• Excellence in the arts, arts education, and arts scholarship
• Fostering student growth and success
• Collaboration with others, both within and cross disciplines.

Notes to Applicant: Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment and will be requested upon selection of final candidate. All positions at the University of Houston are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.