Assistant Professor of Ceramics - College for Creative Studies (CCS)
Detroit, MI 48202
About the Job
STATUS: Full Time
DIVISION: Undergraduate Studies
REPORTS TO: Studio Art and Craft Chair
SUPERVISES: N/A
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
REVISED: October 30, 2024
The College for Creative Studies (CCS) invites diverse applications to apply for a full-time Assistant Professor faculty position in Studio Art and Craft (SAC) with an emphasis in Ceramic Arts. This position reports to the Chair of the Studio Art and Craft department within the Undergraduate Studies Division.
Rank and compensation are commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Position Description
The full-time faculty member in Studio Art and Craft is responsible for teaching three courses per semester and for maintaining a superior pedagogy in the ceramics discipline in accordance with current standards and professional practice. The full time Faculty member works with the Department Chair to provide ongoing evaluation and enhancement of current program curriculum as it relates to ceramics arts, contributes to development of new curriculum and program opportunities and works with the Chair and Director of CE to coordinate workshops and CE courses.
Position Accountabilities and Essential Functions
Beginning Fall Semester 2025:
- Perform the duties of a full-time faculty member as described in the FT Faculty handbook including teach three classes per semester during the academic year, develop curriculum, serve as mentor to assigned students inclusive of Ceramics and cross-disciplinary SAC majors, serve on faculty committees as assigned and participate in faculty governance and other activities of the Department and College, as requested.
- As Section Lead of the Ceramic area, the faculty will oversee and maintain all Ceramics classrooms and equipment, manage the inventory and purchase of materials and supplies, and work closely with work-study students and the SAC Department Technician to maintain shop areas and equipment, kilns and classrooms.
- This position also includes searching, hiring and evaluating adjunct faculty as needed in the Ceramics area.
Qualifications and Experience
- Candidates must have an MFA in Ceramics with minimum of two-three years teaching in higher education.
- A successful candidate will be qualified to teach a range of Ceramic processes including wheel throwing, mold making, glaze formulation, kiln firing (electric and wood) , slip casing, and hand-building. The preferred candidate will have a firm grounding in the history and traditions of Ceramics from a global perspective along with contemporary and experimental practices that include 3-D printing processes.
- Experience teaching upper-level multi-disciplinary critique-based courses and collaborative teaching is a plus.
Additional requirements include:
- Demonstrated active studio practice with an accomplished exhibition and/or design record.
- Ability to mentor and work with students from diverse backgrounds who are dedicated to a range of art and design disciplines.
- Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary art, theory and practice.
- Demonstrated dedication to and understanding of DEI as the basis of pedagogy, mentoring, collegiality and community.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: This job operates in a professional office, college campus and studio environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to maintain a stationary position, use a computer and other office equipment, and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually. Frequent interaction with others, including staff, faculty, students and third parties is required. The employee may occasionally be required to move files or other objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including from low and high places. The ability to move around within the office and between buildings on campus, attend off-site meetings and events, and travel between Ford Campus site to Taubman Center site are required. CCS will make reasonable accommodations that will allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
About the department: Studio Art and Craft combines Studio Art and Craft and Material Studies and it is one of the core CCS departments, dating back to the formation of its predecessor, the School of the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts in the early twentieth century. The Studio Art and Craft Department is a dynamic multi-disciplinary art and design program that uniquely combines traditional making with contemporary processes and progressive technologies. Our core areas in the program include: Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Print media, Digital Media, Installation, Performance, Ceramics, Glass, Digital Fabrication, Fibers/Textiles, and Metalsmithing /Jewelry.
The program provides students structure for a deep focus in any of our core areas or students can create a program of comprehensive study that integrates a wide spectrum of courses and skill development. With an emphasis on research, critical thinking, interdisciplinary modalities, experimentation, and new technologies, we teach students ways of thinking through materials, to develop a distinct and unique voice, to create a vision, embody critical thinking, and develop the leadership skills and knowledge that will contribute to a successful professional practice.
Key courses offered to Studio Art and Craft majors include a specialized introduction to our core studios in the Freshman year, Sophomore Seminar that exposes students to varied career pathways and career professionals in the fields of contemporary Art and Craft, and our unique Professional Practice for Artists course that prepares students in professionalism and the business of studio art and contemporary craft. Students work closely with all Studio Art and Craft full time faculty in our capstone Junior and Senior studios which are intensive year-long experiences focused on critique and research and the development of a highly individualized body of work.
About CCS
The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a nonprofit, private college authorized by the Michigan Education Department to grant Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. CCS, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. CCS fosters students’ resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens, and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society. The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, such as transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business.
To apply
Application includes:
- A cover letter
- Resume/CV with three references
- Statement of teaching philosophy
- URL website portfolio
- 15-20 images of student work (PDF file)
- Sample Ceramic course syllabi from courses taught at a higher-ed institution.
Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The search will close when a suitable candidate is hired. Priority will be given to those who apply by January 6, 2025
Resume and a letter of application should be submitted to: hr@ccsdetroit.edu
CCS website: http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/
The College for Creative Studies, a leading college of art and design, represents a community composed of individuals with many perspectives, personal experiences, values, identities and worldviews and we value the diversity this brings to our organization. CCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, height, weight, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
The College for Creative Studies subscribes to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment, admissions and educational practices and strives to provide an environment and workplace free from unlawful harassment or discrimination. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are part of our Core Institutional Values and we encourage applications from all individuals.
Source : College for Creative Studies (CCS)