Ceramics Faculty

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts • Kalamazoo, MI

3d

About The Position

Working under the Chair of Ceramics, Kirk Newman Art School Ceramics faculty serve a wide range of adult students from across the Kalamazoo region and are responsible for instruction that inspires students' creative process, self-expression, and artistic skill building. Ceramics faculty members are expected to design and deliver high quality instruction in your area(s) of expertise. Faculty work with the Chair of Ceramics by season to develop courses that fit curricular needs and the availability of studios and equipment. Classes are offered during winter, spring, summer, and fall semesters and may span several weeks or be designed to deliver shorter multi-day workshop experiences. Classes are two and one-half hours in length and scheduled Mondays through Fridays with daytime and evening options available until 9pm. The Ceramics Department is fully equipped with three spacious studios for hand building and wheel work. There are 30 electric wheels, three slab rollers, extruder, three electric kilns, and two natural gas fired kilns. The outdoor yard has a salt/soda kiln and raku kiln. An offsite 500-cu. ft anagama style wood fired kiln is fired twice a year. Two rooms are devoted to the extensive glaze offerings and material inventory, along with a hooded spray booth. Ceramics faculty may work in close collaboration with other faculty, institutional staff, and stakeholders when necessary.

Requirements

• expertise in a wide range of ceramics skills: entry level construction, handbuilding, wheel throwing, clay and glaze material knowledge, creative decorating and glazing techniques, kiln firing, familiarity with common studio equipment, and ceramics health and safety matters.
• Prior teaching experience is required.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of experience.
• Three years of professional experience and demonstrated mastery in the discipline(s) taught.
• Knowledge and experience in preparing and managing a safe, clean, and highly organized art making environment, with practice training users on how to safely utilize materials and/or operate equipment.
• Possess excellent planning and organizational skills and exercises strong communication skills.
• Sensitive to the confidential nature of information processed and shared within the School and the KIA.
• Committed to contributing to a work culture that is inclusive, equitable, and antiracist.
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial creative disposition; takes initiative in addressing challenges.

Nice To Haves

• Three years of teaching experience in a college, university, or art school setting.
• Demonstrated excellence in a variety of art techniques; experience planning lessons in art, art making, and art history in accordance with the institution's learning objectives.
• Master of Fine Arts Degree
• Formal DEAI training and experience working with diverse populations (e.g. age, gender, race, ethnicity, etc.)

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver engaging course descriptions to be submitted in a timely manner to the Chair of Ceramics, in collaboration with the School Director and KIA staff, as needed; collaborate with colleagues on course curriculum where necessary.
• Communicate needed equipment, supplies, classroom set-up, or other requests for approval to the Chair of Ceramics far in advance of course start dates.
• Develop and deliver course syllabi, lectures, and in-class activities schedules; identify and communicate expected student learning outcomes to enrolled students; and create a welcoming and engaging learning environment for all students.
• Meet all classes regularly and on time as scheduled for the full duration of the class periods and for the entire length of class term.
• Arrive prepared for demonstrations, lectures and planned activities.
• Provide prompt feedback to students on projects and serve as a role model and mentor to students, colleagues, institutional staff, and other stakeholders through positive teamwork.
• Problem solve, adapt, or adjust lessons based on students abilities or other needs when required; maintain availability to meet with students outside of class sessions when necessary.
• Adhere and uphold institutional guidelines, work cooperatively, possess excellent communication skills, and demonstrate classroom management skills for all ages and abilities.
• Attend and participate in any School all-faculty meetings and any required training/professional activities; remain up-to-date on innovations, trends, changes, techniques, or other matters within your discipline(s).
• When possible, work in collaboration with the Chair of Ceramics, School Director, and KIA staff, to evaluate course effectiveness, opportunities for improvement, and/or opportunities to develop new courses or programs.
• relevant training, clearly communicating responsibilities, coaching and mentoring, and maintaining a stable and productive classroom environment.

What This Job Offers