The School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for a tenure-track Endowed Assistant/Associate Professor of Graphic Design to start in August 2025. This is a standard nine-month faculty appointment with a workload of 40% teaching, 40% research/creative activity, and 20% service. The Endowed Assistant/Associate Professor of Graphic Design will teach the equivalent of a 2/2 teaching load in the Graphic Design BFA program, the Master of Design program, and/or the School of Art Foundations program.
Join a growing group of faculty and students who are passionate about designing at the edge of what is possible and what is preferable for the future of communities, culture, and technology. We seek a candidate with a strong national reputation achieved through a compelling research and dissemination record. The ideal candidate brings both theoretical and practical knowledge in emerging technologies and design futures, including areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual reality, augmented reality, extended reality, interactive design, experimental design, data visualization, critical design, speculative design, design fiction, and other innovative design methods. Additionally, a passion for broadening the scope of these fields is highly valued. We seek candidates who have a demonstrated ability to lead or collaborate on interdisciplinary projects or community-facing design initiatives, whether within the university, local communities, or through partnerships with other organizations and diverse populations.
The School of Art is building a nationally recognized model for faculty research, teaching, and service. Endowed professors are supported by annual research funding of $60,000, and are expected to develop unique, innovative, collaborative, and interdisciplinary initiatives both inside and outside the university, supporting its mission as a flagship, land-grant institution, and directly benefiting the region through respectful design practices. Endowed professors are expected to activate their initiatives through the Design Clinic, a community-facing classroom and laboratory space for experimental and collaborative design.
About the Graphic Design Program
The Graphic Design program is a part of the School of Art in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. The program offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design and a Master of Design degree in Communication Design. With 96 undergraduate students, 12 graduate students, and 9 full-time faculty, we are a vibrant community of creatives who are passionate about designing at the edge of what is possible and what is preferable for the future of communities, culture, and technology. Housed in the brand-new Studio + Design Center in the Windgate Art + Design District, the Graphic Design program’s facilities include large studio classroom spaces, multiple state-of-the-art technology and equipment labs, risograph and letterpress printers, and a community-facing Design Clinic. The Design Clinic is a multi-use space that serves as a classroom, laboratory, design studio and community center. The primary goal of the Design Clinic is to use design to positively impact our region and our state, by building relationships and collaborating with communities.
About the School of Art:
In 2017, the University of Arkansas was awarded a $120 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation to establish a School of Art in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. The gift created the first and only school of art in the state of Arkansas, and is helping to advance art education, design, art history and studio art in the state while providing unparalleled access and opportunity to students. In addition, in 2017, the School of Art also received a $40 million gift from the Windgate Foundation to develop and build a new Studio Art and Graphic Design facility. Most recently, in 2021, the Windgate Foundation gave a $30 million partial challenge grant to develop and build a facility to house a professional gallery, auditorium, the foundations program, as well as idea fabrication and arts entrepreneurship labs. The mission of the School of Art is to develop one of the highest quality educational, research and service programs in the visual arts available nationally. The School of Art is a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and includes 54 faculty, 8 staff members, and more than 500 students. There are currently 8 degree options: BFA in Art Education, BFA in Graphic Design, BFA in Studio Art, BA in Art History, BA in Studio Art, MA in Art Education, MA in Art History of the Americas, MFA in Studio Art, and MDES in Communication Design.
Position duties include:
• Growing and maintaining a strong research and/or creative activity record with proven accomplishments
• Initiating, organizing, or engaging in a minimum of one community-centered outreach effort per year
• Developing and leading regular and on-going activities in the Design Clinic that create opportunities for students, faculty, organizations, and the community.
• Teaching two 3-credit hour (or equivalent) courses per semester
• Engaging in program level service, such as advising, graduate assistant supervision, and graduate thesis mentorship, as well as committee work at the school and university level as assigned
Responsibilities:
• 40% Teaching
• 40% Research
• 20% Service
Minimum Qualifications:
With submitted materials, the candidate must demonstrate
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Terminal degree in graphic design, visual communication or equivalent (e.g. MFA, MDes, MGD, PhD)
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At least three years of demonstrated teaching experience in Graphic Design or commensurate experience in the field
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Research engagement at the national level
Preferred Qualifications:
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Three years of experience as assistant professor on the tenure track or similar position
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Demonstrated experience managing funding, including but not limited to endowments, grants, or awards
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Demonstrated ability as leader and/or collaborator of interdisciplinary projects or community-facing design initiatives that take place within the university, in a local community, or through partnerships with other organizations and populations
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Evidence of strong interpersonal and communication skills as shown in applicant materials
Additional Information:
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Required Documents to Apply:
Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Other (see special instructions for details), Statement of Research Philosophy, Statement of Teaching Philosophy
Proof of Veteran Status
Recruitment Contact Information:
Gaby Hernández, search committee chair, gabyh@uark.edu.
All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS
Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Completed applications received by January 5, 2025, will be assured full consideration. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.
For additional inquiries, please contact the search committee chair, Gaby Hernández, at gabyh@uark.edu.
Applicants must submit
• Cover letter/Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae with website URL
• Statement on research/creative scholarship
• Teaching philosophy statement that addresses how candidate achieves and promotes inclusive excellence through their teaching
• Syllabi of 1-3 relevant courses taught or proposed, plus one project brief/description (please submit as a single PDF)
• 20 examples of professional/research work, identified with title, date, medium, dimensions/time, and project description (please submit as a single PDF)
• 20 examples of student work, identified with course title and level, project description, date, medium and dimensions (please submit as a single PDF)
• a list of three professional references (name, title, email address, and phone number) willing to provide letters of recommendation if requested during the application process. Letters of recommendation will be requested only for candidates selected for interviews
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Pre-employment Screening Requirements:
Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry
The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds inclusion, opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.
The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, marital or parental status, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). Federal law prohibits the University from discriminating on these bases. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.
All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
