The Department of Painting and Drawing at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) invites applications for a Full-Time, Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Comics. 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 Painting and Drawing at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is an open and pluralistic community of artists with a strong commitment to painting and drawing’s various discourses and histories, and to experimentation. The collection of the Art Institute of Chicago is the highlight of the Department's curricular fieldwork. The department has a diverse faculty of more than 70 working artists.
Further information about the department can be found at: https://www.saic.edu/painting-drawing
Responsibilities
Comics faculty in the Department of Painting and Drawing will develop and teach courses related to comics, graphic novels, and visual storytelling. Comics studio courses will teach various techniques while covering topics such as the history of comics, as well as its prehistory in the caricature, the analysis of graphic narratives, the work of specific creators, and the cultural significance of the medium.
Tenure-track faculty will teach a range of undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate-level classes within the Department of Painting and Drawing, including working with MFA students on a tutorial basis. In some cases, a faculty member may also occasionally teach in collaboration with other departments within the context of an interdisciplinary art school. The faculty member will take a leadership role in forging the development of a comics curriculum both in the department and in partnership with others across the school. The faculty member will participate in student advising, admissions events, committee work, and special projects in the department; contribute to the SAIC community through ongoing curricular development; coordination of the MFA Comics pathway, and participate in departmental administration and school governance.
Qualifications
A terminal degree with in-depth practice in comics, graphic novels, and visual storytelling is required. This may include analyzing the history, theory, and cultural impact of comics, as well as the work of specific artists or genres. A minimum of two years of teaching experience or its equivalent and a significant record of publishing, exhibitions and related professional activities are required. 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 by Tuesday, January 21, 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.
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.
