Assistant Professor, Art and Community Engagement

Job Summary

The Bower School of Music & the Arts at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and the Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging within the Marieb College of Health & Human Services invite applications for an Assistant Professor position in Art and Community Engagement.
The Bower School of Music & the Arts currently offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art as well as minors in both art and art history. The Mission of the Art Program is to educate students and the community in the creation and appreciation of the visual arts; emphasize the importance of context in art history and contemporary culture; provide students with a clear sense of direction towards a career in the creative industries; and teach art with a lively awareness of both global perspectives and local responsibilities.
The Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging was established in 2022 as a university-wide entity to strengthen interdisciplinary inquiry on aging and the life course, with the specific aims of advancing research to optimize the aging experience of various populations. The Institute will draw upon the expertise of faculty, staff, and students from across the FGCU campus, fostering a vibrant interdisciplinary community.
As an Assistant Professor in Art and Community Engagement, the successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in the Art Program according to their area of expertise, will be involved in course and curriculum development, will work effectively with various populations of students, colleagues, and members of the community, and will support the overall work of both the Bower School of Music & the Arts and the Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging. This position will have a focus on community engagement with the arts through the coordination and development of programs and partnerships. Potential engagement activities could explore a wide range of opportunities in the creative fields of studio art, art therapy, art in healthcare and wellness, and art education.
Florida Gulf Coast University is a comprehensive university dedicated to quality education, research, and service. All faculty are expected to be excellent teachers; be responsive to changing professional needs; be committed to innovative delivery of instruction resulting in improved student learning; be committed to effective use of technology including eLearning and accelerated instructional programs; produce peer reviewed scholarship; and provide service to the College, University, and community. The standard teaching load for an Assistant Professor is three 3-credit courses per semester; equivalent course releases may be applied. Teaching assignments may be on the main campus or at off-campus sites within our region.
FGCU is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity and Access Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, genetic predisposition, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression, veteran status, and any other protected class(es), as required by applicable state and federal law, as well as University regulations and policies.

Job Description

Typical duties may include but are not limited to:

• Develop and teach a range of undergraduate courses and collaborate on curriculum development at the course and program level.
• Conduct scholarly work (research and/or creative activity) and initiate scholarly pursuits around the topics of art and community engagement.
• Mentor students in in developing creative works and finding vocational pathways as part of a socially and culturally engaged academic and regional community.
• Work collegially and actively with faculty and staff in the Bower School of Music & the Arts and Shady Rest Institute for Positive Aging on program development and assessment.
• Foster ongoing community-based partnerships and initiatives that will engage our faculty and students in a range of art-oriented settings and initiatives.
• Participate in department, college, institute, and university activities, committees, meetings, and events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications

• MFA in Studio Art or Master’s degree (MA or MS) in art therapy, or closely related field from a nationally accredited institution or equivalent accreditation, completed by start of appointment.
• Evidence of quality teaching at the college/university level.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly/creative achievement commensurate with career stage.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 2 years college teaching experience beyond the graduate assistant level with a commitment to undergraduate education in the arts.
• Demonstrated experience with community-engaged art and/or art therapy practices.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to collegial and collaborative engagement with colleagues.
• A record of excellence in creative practice that supports a various student population and educational environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge and commitment to the use of technology in eLearning & university teaching. Interest in collaborating both within and outside the University in the development and delivery of instruction resulting in improved student learning. Must value continued scholarship and service to the college, university, community, and profession.
• Ability to effectively communication skills (both written and oral).
• Ability to teach in multiple delivery modalities (i.e., face-to-face, hybrid, blendflex, and online).
• Ability to contribute effectively and collegially to a positive, dynamic, and inclusive learning environment that nurtures student creativity.
• Ability to teach art courses at the undergraduate level in response to current program needs, such as Art Appreciation, Two-Dimensional Foundations courses, Digital Arts, and/or specific areas of specialization.
• Ability to contribute through research, teaching, and/or public engagement to the excellence of The Bower School of Music and the Arts and the Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Appointment will be made on a 9-month multi-year appointment basis available August 2024.

Because applications and materials are subject to public review and retention under Florida’s Public Records Law, please DO NOT send examples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so. Therefore, all submitted materials including articles, disks, slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BE RETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become the property of FGCU.

Under Florida’s Public Records law, applications will be available for public review upon request.

Required Application Materials

• Unofficial Transcripts
• Cover Letter to include statement of research/scholarship/community engagement
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Curriculum Vitae (include personal website URL if available)
• Three (3) Professional References
• Portfolio of 20 images of own work with all works clearly identified and submitted as a single PDF document.
• Portfolio of 10 images of student work and/or documentation of community engagement activities with all works clearly identified and submitted as a single PDF document.

The position is listed as “open until filled”, however applications received by March 1, 2024 will receive priority consideration.

Salary commensurate with education and experience.