Assistant Professor of Sculpture and 3D Design

Union College Career Center in Becker Hall•Schenectady, NY

13d•$81,500 - $83,500•Onsite

About The Position

Union College invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Visual Arts - Sculpture and 3D Design, beginning September 1, 2027. The Department of Visual Arts seeks applications for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Sculpture and 3D Design. A completed MFA from an accredited institution, at least three years of teaching experience at the college level, and a successful record of creative scholarship are required. A strong record of exhibition and evidence of an active ongoing studio practice are essential. Teaching responsibilities consist of six in-person classes per year over three 10-week trimesters, including introductory Sculpture and 3D Design courses, as well as advanced thematic or process-specific Sculpture courses. The department seeks an artist-scholar who can teach traditional sculpture practice, including molding techniques in plaster, additive and subtractive techniques in wood and stone, introductory to advanced welding, and advanced mixed media techniques. The successful candidate will also demonstrate proficiency with digital fabrication tools and workflows, including software such as Rhino, Illustrator, and SolidWorks, as well as hands-on experience with CNC routers, laser cutters, and 3D printers. The department conceives this position as part of an evolution of the Sculpture curriculum to integrate these tools. In addition to contributing to the core Visual Arts curriculum, the intent of this position is to pursue and develop new opportunities for interdepartmental collaboration between the Visual Arts, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil and Environmental Engineering, with an intent to develop new interdisciplinary initiatives in fields like Digital Design, Industrial Design, or Architecture. The successful candidate will have the vision and experience to collaborate with Visual Arts department faculty and other departments to conceive, plan, and create such initiatives. Candidates should have a robust and promising exhibition record, with demonstrated potential for continued artistic success at the local, national, and international levels. The area of scholarly art practice is open, but candidates with experience in fine art digital fabrication, industrial, or architectural design would be especially welcomed. In addition to the teaching load, the position includes departmental and collegewide service, academic advising, work with senior majors, honors thesis students, and advanced independent study students as necessary. The successful candidate will become part of a dynamic department that includes Studio Art (Digital Art, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture) and Art History faculty. Additional responsibilities will include supervising a full-time Sculpture Studio technician and overseeing and working with the department chair on short and long-term planning of the Sculpture budget for equipment and materials. Faculty in the department also rotate the curatorial responsibilities for the Crowell and West Galleries in the Feigenbaum Center for Visual Arts. Faculty are eligible to apply for funding to support their creative scholarly work, as well as for funding to enable new teaching initiatives. The Visual Arts Department supports a General Education curriculum with increased focus on Global Challenges and Social Justice in our Creative Arts and Design courses. Candidates who demonstrate engagement with contemporary issues and diverse perspectives in their scholarly work and/or in the classroom are especially encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Completed MFA from an accredited institution
At least three years of teaching experience at the college level
Successful record of creative scholarship
Strong record of exhibition
Evidence of an active ongoing studio practice
Proficiency with digital fabrication tools and workflows, including software such as Rhino, Illustrator, and SolidWorks
Hands-on experience with CNC routers, laser cutters, and 3D printers

Nice To Haves

Experience in fine art digital fabrication
Experience in industrial design
Experience in architectural design
Demonstrated engagement with contemporary issues and diverse perspectives in scholarly work and/or in the classroom

Responsibilities

Teach six in-person classes per year over three 10-week trimesters, including introductory Sculpture and 3D Design courses, as well as advanced thematic or process-specific Sculpture courses.
Teach traditional sculpture practice, including molding techniques in plaster, additive and subtractive techniques in wood and stone, introductory to advanced welding, and advanced mixed media techniques.
Demonstrate proficiency with digital fabrication tools and workflows, including software such as Rhino, Illustrator, and SolidWorks, as well as hands-on experience with CNC routers, laser cutters, and 3D printers.
Pursue and develop new opportunities for interdepartmental collaboration between Visual Arts, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Conceive, plan, and create new interdisciplinary initiatives in fields like Digital Design, Industrial Design, or Architecture.
Contribute to the core Visual Arts curriculum.
Engage with contemporary issues and diverse perspectives in scholarly work and/or in the classroom.
Perform departmental and collegewide service.
Provide academic advising.
Work with senior majors, honors thesis students, and advanced independent study students.
Supervise a full-time Sculpture Studio technician.
Oversee and work with the department chair on short and long-term planning of the Sculpture budget for equipment and materials.
Rotate curatorial responsibilities for the Crowell and West Galleries.