Assistant Professor of Art & Design - Ceramics (27/28)
About The Position
The Art and Design Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Art and Design in Ceramics to begin approximately August 12, 2027. The successful candidate will lead the development of an interdisciplinary ceramics program that integrates traditional and contemporary ceramics practices, research-based conceptual inquiry, and relevant histories and theories of clay, craft, material culture, and contemporary art. The successful candidate will teach courses across the ceramics curriculum, including beginning ceramics, intermediate ceramics, and advanced ceramics or topics courses, as well as 3D or 4D design as part of the Foundations/Core curriculum. Depending on departmental needs and the candidate's expertise, additional teaching may include intermediate sculpture, advanced selected topics in sculpture, critique and discourse, visual culture and society, junior studio art practice, senior studio art practice, and senior portfolio courses. We seek an artist-educator whose creative practice engages ceramics in relation to sculpture, installation, performance, sustainable material research, or other interdisciplinary approaches. The ideal candidate will be able to teach technical processes alongside critical and theoretical approaches to ceramics and will help students connect hands-on material experimentation to contemporary art discourse, environmental inquiry, and professional practice. The successful candidate will maintain an active research-based creative practice; contribute to curriculum development in ceramics, Foundations, and Studio Art; mentor undergraduate students; and participate in departmental, college, and university service.
Requirements
- MFA in Ceramics, Studio Art, or a closely related field, from an accredited institution or international equivalent, completed and awarded by the time of appointment.
- Demonstrated university-level teaching experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of ceramic processes and studio practices, including hand building, wheel throwing, glaze and surface development, firing, kiln operation, and studio safety.
- Evidence of an active, research-based creative practice in ceramics or an interdisciplinary practice that substantially engages ceramic materials and ideas.
- Evidence of expertise in contemporary art discourses and practices, including the histories and theories of ceramics, craft, material culture, installation art, time-based art, and/or three-dimensional art.
- Demonstrated experience developing curriculum and teaching courses that combine technical skill, conceptual inquiry, critique, and professional practice.
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
- Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
- Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.
- Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.
Nice To Haves
- Two or more years of college-level teaching experience in ceramics, three-dimensional foundations, sculpture, or closely related areas.
- Experience teaching ceramics at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels.
- Experience teaching or developing courses in sculpture, installation, performance, visual culture, or interdisciplinary three-dimensional art.
- Experience with sustainable materials research, experimental firing, or environmentally conscious ceramic studio practices.
- Experience with ceramics studio management, including kiln operation, glaze areas, ventilation, safety procedures, equipment maintenance, and student-worker supervision.
- Interest in cross-disciplinary collaborations and connections to broader art communities.
- Evidence of mentoring students toward graduate study, professional practice, exhibitions, residencies, or other career pathways.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development of an interdisciplinary ceramics program.
- Teach courses across the ceramics curriculum, including beginning, intermediate, and advanced ceramics or topics courses.
- Teach 3D or 4D design as part of the Foundations/Core curriculum.
- Potentially teach intermediate sculpture, advanced selected topics in sculpture, critique and discourse, visual culture and society, junior studio art practice, senior studio art practice, and senior portfolio courses.
- Maintain an active research-based creative practice.
- Contribute to curriculum development in ceramics, Foundations, and Studio Art.
- Mentor undergraduate students.
- Participate in departmental, college, and university service.
Benefits
- Full-time, academic-year, tenure-track position
- Reduction in course load in each of the first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and professional development.
- Eligibility to teach in a third semester for additional compensation under Year-Round Operations (YRO), subject to departmental needs and University policy.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
