Assistant Professor of Studio Art

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Arkansas School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Studio Art whose practice engages photography, lens-based image making, or the evolving possibilities of the photographic image. This is a standard, nine-month, in-person faculty appointment scheduled to begin in August 2027. The successful candidate will contribute to the Photography curriculum with technical and conceptual proficiency and maintain an active creative, scholarly, or research practice. The School welcomes expansive approaches to photography, including analog, digital, synthetic, moving-image, installation, performance, appropriation, archival, and material-based practices.

The candidate’s practice and teaching should engage critically with photography’s histories and evolving technologies and may address contemporary social, cultural, technological, and photographic issues. The role calls for a commitment to mentoring students from diverse backgrounds, creating empathetic and respectful classroom experiences, and fostering collaboration, community, open dialogue, and a productive studio culture. Faculty are expected to support interdisciplinary and cross-campus relationships and engage with the local and regional arts community. The position may occasionally contribute to teaching more broadly within the School of Art.

The appointment requires extensive in-person participation in classes, office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings. Regular, reliable attendance and collegial working relationships are essential. The School of Art offers undergraduate and graduate education and supports student scholarships, travel grants, internships, regional outreach, and partnerships with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and community arts organizations.

The Photography Area combines traditional and contemporary photographic processes with conceptual development, experimentation, and critical inquiry. Students work across analog, alternative, digital, synthetic, and interdisciplinary practices, developing visual literacy and a critical understanding of photography as a material and conceptual medium.

The position is a nine-month appointment, with teaching responsibilities of two Studio Art courses per semester in the fall and spring. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits eligible: yes. Sponsorship is available. Pre-employment screening includes a criminal background check and sex offender registry check. Applicants must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

Requirements

• MFA with an emphasis in Studio Art or Photography, or an equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education, conferred by the start of employment.
• Evidence of teaching experience in higher education; experience may include teaching as a graduate instructor of record.
• A clear and substantial body of work or research agenda demonstrating active or sustained practice through exhibitions, publications, performances, and/or other scholarly creative activities.
• Commitment to mentoring students from a wide range of backgrounds and to fostering empathetic, respectful, collaborative learning and working environments.
• Ability to participate extensively in person in teaching, advising, office hours, and institutional service.
• Proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Comprehensive knowledge of photographic practices and demonstrated ability to teach a broad spectrum of photographic techniques, particularly photography as an expansive practice, technology, new means of photographic dissemination, and/or critical practice.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse students, staff, technicians, and faculty and contribute thoughtfully to a collaborative scholarly environment through teaching, mentoring, research, and/or service.
• Evidence of commitment to graduate-level teaching and advising.
• Experience contributing to curriculum management, innovative pedagogical practices, and new course creation.
• Active engagement with photographic histories, evolving technologies, and contemporary social, cultural, technological, and photographic issues.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an active program of research and creative and/or scholarly activities.
• Teach two Studio Art courses per semester in the fall and spring.
• Assist in planning and implementing new undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students, including participating in BFA and MFA reviews, MFA thesis committees, and studio visits.
• Collaboratively oversee and operate the Photography Area, including assisting with facility maintenance, supporting a positive studio culture, overseeing a safe working environment, developing curriculum, and supervising graduate teaching assistants.
• Participate in program-level advising, committee work, and other program, school, college, and university service.
• Contribute occasionally to teaching more broadly within the School of Art.
• Engage in in-person activities including classes, office hours, student advising, and committee meetings.

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance.
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families.
• 12 official holidays.
• Immediate leave accrual.
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.
• Vibrant work environment and workplace culture promoting healthy work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior