The Department of Ceramics at the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position. The position begins in August of 2025. Salary is competitive with peer institutions and commensurate with quality of practice, scholarship, academic research, extent of teaching experience, and current professional standing.
Program Profile
The Department of Ceramics at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is a model of interdisciplinary investigation where art, design, and craft are the fields of research and innovation. Drawing from a wealth of technical and cultural traditions as well as from high-tech industrial applications, the department engages in a study and practice of ceramics that is unique and urgently contemporary.
The Department of Ceramics is one of twenty-two studio and academic programs at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and is administered by a full-time faculty member as chair. The department offers 30 undergraduate courses each academic year as part of the School’s comprehensive, interdisciplinary BFA program, and supports 9 graduate students who work with faculty through Graduate Projects—individual tutorial sessions. There are currently three full-time faculty, a full-time AICAD Fellow, and nine part-time faculty teaching in the department. Further information about the department can be found at: https://www.saic.edu/ceramics
Responsibilities
Full-time faculty in Ceramics teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students within the interdisciplinary art and design school environment of SAIC. In addition, faculty in Ceramics maintain an active professional practice. Full-time faculty serve as leaders in the department, forging the future of the Ceramics department and the School. Additionally, full-time faculty participate in the SAIC community through ongoing curricular development, departmental administration, school governance, and service.
Qualifications
An MFA or a terminal degree in a relevant field of study is required. Three to five years of college-level teaching experience is preferred. The successful candidate will be an accomplished, versatile artist with expertise in contemporary approaches, concepts, techniques, and critical issues as they pertain to ceramics and art in general. Demonstrable Ceramics skills and techniques should be thoroughly integrated into the conceptual frameworks of professional practice. The ability to communicate with students on multiple levels, and eagerness to teach and develop both graduate and undergraduate programs is essential. Candidates must be interested and able to engage in future curricular, facilities planning, and assessment as an aspect of the ongoing conversation about the evolution and future of the discipline. The ideal candidate will contribute to the diversity of the School by bringing a perspective, way of thinking, and/or a unique set of experiences that expand the intellectual conversations and practices in the field. We seek candidates with the knowledge and aptitude to teach and mentor students from diverse backgrounds. Candidates should demonstrate their experience with, or aptitude for, departmental administration as service will be expected.
Application Procedures
Applicants are encouraged to apply on or before Monday, January 13, 2025 for full consideration. Please submit application materials via https://saicfaculty.slideroom.com/#/Login. You will be asked to create an account after which time you may complete the application, which consists of fill-in fields and required documents to upload. You are encouraged to begin the application well before the priority deadline. No applications may be submitted beyond the deadline for any reason.
Complete the fields for educational background; current position; and contact information for three professional references.
Please convert all word documents into PDFs before uploading. Required files to upload include:
- cover letter stating your interests and qualifications
- resume or curriculum vitae
- statement of teaching philosophy including details on how your teaching has supported the success of students from racial, ethnic, gender, and/or socio-economic backgrounds that are underrepresented in your academic field
- statement of research and practice
- documentation of a selection of professional work
- 2 examples of course syllabi
All applicants for this position must complete and sign a Prior Workplace Conduct Declaration as part of their initial application materials in order to be considered as a candidate and sign a release authorizing SAIC to conduct a misconduct reference check should the candidate ultimately be selected as a finalist for the position.
Questions
Questions regarding the School and its open positions, application procedures, or the search process may be emailed to saicteach@saic.edu. Please consult www.saic.edu for information on the School and its programs, or https://www.saic.edu/about/work-at-saic for open positions and application procedures.
About SAIC
A leader in educating artists, designers, and scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs to students from across the globe. Located in the heart of Chicago, the School is one of the largest and oldest private schools of art and design in the country with programs reflecting current practices in art. SAIC's educational philosophy is built upon a transdisciplinary approach to art and design that provides unparalleled opportunities for students to develop their creative and critical abilities with renowned faculty who are leading practitioners in their fields. SAIC's resources include the Art Institute of Chicago and its Modern Wing, and numerous special collections and programming venues that provide students with exceptional exhibitions, screenings, lectures, and performances. The campus is located on Chicago’s magnificent lakefront amid the city’s cultural and architectural treasures.
Degree tracks include the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Studio; BFA with Emphasis in Art Education or Writing; BA degrees in Art History and Visual and Critical Studies; Master of Architecture; Master of Design (MDes) in Designed Objects; MFA in Fashion, Body, and Garment; MFA in Studio or Writing; MA degrees in Arts Administration; Art Education; Art History, Theory, and Criticism; Art Therapy; Teaching; Visual and Critical Studies; and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation.
Requests for Accommodations
SAIC provides reasonable accommodations during the interview process for candidates with disabilities in adherence with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Should you need an accommodation to participate in an interview, please contact Molly Roth Scranton, Associate Director of Faculty Affairs, at mscranton@saic.edu.
