Artist-in-Residence and Department Head - Metals

Cranbrook•Bloomfield Hills, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Cranbrook Academy of Art invites applications for a full-time Artist-in-Residence in Metals, focused on jewelry and contemporary metals. This three-year renewable graduate faculty appointment begins in August 2027. The Artist-in-Residence is expected to live and work on campus; private housing and a studio are provided. The successful candidate will lead the Metals program, mentor up to 15 graduate students, maintain an active professional practice, and contribute to the Academy’s intellectual and creative life. The role calls for an interdisciplinary artist, designer, maker, and educator with deep material knowledge and technical expertise, a spirit of experimentation, and a commitment to expanding jewelry, adornment, and metals beyond traditional boundaries of craft, art, and design. The Artist-in-Residence establishes the program’s pedagogical direction and educational priorities, providing individualized mentorship, studio visits, critiques, demonstrations, and sustained critical dialogue. They foster an inclusive, challenging, and supportive environment where students can experiment, develop independent thinking, and form distinct creative voices. The role also contributes to Academy-wide programming and interdisciplinary exchange. The position includes day-to-day leadership of the department, student recruitment, management of studio operations and facilities, and budget development in collaboration with Academy leadership and institutional partners. The Artist-in-Residence works with administrative, recruitment, marketing, and communications teams to develop and promote the program. They connect students with professional opportunities and practitioners through visiting artists, workshops, studio visits, exhibitions, and other engagements, and support students pursuing varied professional paths. Cranbrook Academy of Art is a graduate-only institution with immersive, studio-based programs in art, architecture, and design. Its educational model emphasizes individual artistic development, close mentorship, interdisciplinary exchange, and learning through making. The Academy is part of the Cranbrook Educational Community, on a 300-acre campus about 20 miles north of downtown Detroit. Cranbrook welcomes candidates committed to expanding access, fostering inclusion, and contributing to a more equitable and sustainable world.

Requirements

A terminal degree in art, design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Experience teaching or mentoring in higher education.
An established, active artistic practice with a national or international reputation in jewelry, adornment, contemporary metals, or related object-based practices.
Demonstrated expertise in relevant materials, techniques, and processes, alongside openness to interdisciplinary and experimental approaches.
Demonstrated ability to foster an inclusive, equitable, and diverse learning environment.
Strong communication, critical feedback, and mentorship skills.
Ability to develop educational programming and engage with contemporary issues in metalsmithing, jewelry, and related fields.

Nice To Haves

At least five years of teaching or mentoring experience in higher education, preferably at the graduate level.
Experience with graduate student recruitment, portfolio review, and admissions processes.
Demonstrated success working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary educational environment.
Experience developing partnerships with artists, practitioners, alumni, galleries, cultural institutions, or community organizations.
Experience with entrepreneurial practice, professional development, or innovative educational programming.
Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills, including experience managing a studio, workshop, or departmental resources.

Responsibilities

Lead the Metals program and mentor up to 15 graduate students through individualized guidance, studio visits, critiques, demonstrations, and sustained critical dialogue.
Establish the program’s curriculum, pedagogical approach, and educational priorities in collaboration with Academy leadership and fellow Artists-in-Residence.
Foster an inclusive, challenging, and supportive studio environment that encourages experimentation, independent thinking, and artistic growth.
Develop opportunities for students to engage with visiting artists, jewelers, designers, collectors, galleries, and cultural institutions.
Contribute to Academy-wide initiatives, interdisciplinary learning opportunities, and the broader intellectual, artistic, and community life of Cranbrook Academy of Art.
Oversee department operations, studio facilities, workshops, tools, and equipment in collaboration with the department Studio Manager, facilities staff, and other institutional partners.
Develop and manage the department’s budget in collaboration with Academy leadership.
Maintain a safe, functional, and well-equipped environment supporting traditional and experimental metalworking practices.
Lead student recruitment, including recruitment strategy, applicant communications, portfolio reviews, and interviews, in collaboration with the Academy’s recruitment team.
Communicate the program’s vision, strengths, and educational opportunities to prospective students and the broader arts community.
Contribute to departmental marketing and communications in collaboration with the Academy’s marketing and communications team.
Maintain an active professional practice with national or international visibility through exhibitions, commissions, publications, speaking engagements, professional networking, and entrepreneurial activity.