Collegiate Assistant Professor, Art History

The School of Visual Arts (SOVA) at Virginia Tech invites applications for a Collegiate Faculty position at the Assistant Professor rank in the Art History program with open expertise in the fields of art history and visual and material culture. The position is effective August 2023. Collegiate Faculty positions at Virginia Tech are nine-month, renewable, non-tenure-track lines with opportunity for promotion that contribute to the tripartite mission of the institution: teaching, research and service, with an emphasis on teaching and service. Virginia Tech values faculty with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the Art History program works cooperatively to offer a range of global courses drawing upon the arts of many cultures, including an emphasis on diversity.

The specific area of research/specialization for the Collegiate Faculty in Art History is open, but the successful candidate will teach a range of classes from undergraduate entry-level courses (prehistoric to medieval, early modern to contemporary, a thematic introduction to visual arts course, and an introductory language of visual arts course) as well as teach and/or develop upper-level courses covering the breadth of the program’s curriculum, depending on programmatic needs. The successful candidate will also contribute to the Material Culture and Public Humanities MA, a program shared between the Art History program and the Department of Religion and Culture, through teaching, advising, and curricular development. The successful candidate will eventually play an active role in administrative leadership within the program.

According to the Virginia Tech 2022-2023 Faculty Handbook, Collegiate Faculty members are expected to remain active in their disciplines/professions in ways that contribute to their assignment—teaching, research, consulting, or outreach, serving in professional societies and associations, and similar activities. Collegiate Professor faculty members may conduct research related to their field and/or on disciplinary topics in their field and present their findings in professional venues, but there are no expectations for an extensive research program as is typical of tenure-track faculty appointments. They will be expected to serve on departmental, college, or university committees as contributing members of their departments and the broader university community. Where appropriate to their assignment, they may interact with graduate students and interns, serve on graduate committees, and chair graduate advisory committees with the approval of the academic unit and the graduate school. For more information on the Collegiate Professor ranks, see Chapter 5: Employment Policies and Procedures for Non-Tenure-Track Instructional Faculty.in the university’s faculty handbook.


Duties and Responsibilities include:

● Teach a 3/3 teaching load of: undergraduate Art History courses from introductory to advanced levels; introductory courses in the Visual Arts Minor; and/or graduate courses in the Material Culture and Public Humanities MA based on the needs of the programs
● Teach face-to-face courses with some possible opportunity for online instruction, when needed, to be determined by the program chair/ school director; candidate must be physically present in the local area for the position
● Contribute to Art History’s growth and success through active participation in collaborative, cross-disciplinary, and diverse teaching and outreach initiatives
● Contribute to curriculum development in area(s) of teaching and administration
● Advise and mentor both undergraduate and graduate students
● Contribute to school, college, and university-level service and outreach at a level appropriate for Collegiate Faculty
● Participate in the administration of the Art History BA program, and the MA program as needed, including advising, recruitment and promotion, day-to-day operations, and curricular development
● Travel occasionally to attend conferences and meetings

The College of Architecture, Arts, and Design at Virginia Tech affirms our collective responsibility to encourage, build, and embrace the polyculturalism of our world. We do this by acknowledging and addressing our past, recognizing our current responsibility, and acting in the interests of building and sustaining communities that are truly safe, supportive, and inclusive for all. Our commitment is to continually and proactively engage in these processes for the benefit of our students, staff, and faculty across the college, and the communities around the world we aim to serve.

● Ph.D. in Art History or related area completed by August 2023 or appointment start date
● Demonstrated ability to teach Art History and/or related fields at the university level
● Potential for administrative leadership in the undergraduate Art History program and/or the M.A. program in Material Culture and Public Humanities through prior academic administrative knowledge, such as advising or committee work in the areas of promotion, recruitment, or curricular development.
● Broad understanding of the fields of Art History methods and theories, especially as they relate to material culture and visual culture studies
● Demonstrated commitment to issues of inclusion and diversity, both within the classroom and in the discipline of Art History overall
● Ability to travel occasionally to attend conferences and meetings

● At least 2 years of university-level teaching experience
● Demonstrated ability to teach upper-level courses in the art and material culture of the ancient Mediterranean world, including Greek art, Roman art, Egyptian art and Archaeology.
● Demonstrated commitment to experiential teaching and learning pedagogies
● Knowledge/experience in museum studies, collections management, or cultures of display that can contribute to both undergraduate and graduate programs
● The ability to develop online courses or flexible learning course formats on an as-needed-basis by the program

For full consideration, candidates should submit the following:

• Cover letter addressing candidate’s proven experience and potential capacity to fulfill the duties and responsibilities, as well as required and preferred qualifications as listed above.  The cover letter should include explicit and detailed information highlighting the candidate’s own efforts to address issues of diversity and inclusion in their professional and creative work
• Current CV
• Research statement indicating focus of areas of research expertise (terminal degree focus)
• Teaching statement and evidence of teaching or instructional excellence in Art History, as well as visual and material culture
• Names and contact information of at least three references

Regular

Salary range is $55,000 - $65,000 per year

January 10, 2023 - review of submissions will begin on this date and continue until the position is filled

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.