Job Details

Assistant Professor of Studio Art Foundations

Position Number: 6692431
Location: Allendale, MI
Position Type: Fine and Applied Arts - Art

Assistant Professor of Studio Art Foundations

Allendale, MI
Full Time
R103782

Summary: The Department of Visual and Media Arts at Grand Valley State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Studio Art Foundations position to begin Fall 2026. Applicants are expected to hold an MFA degree in Studio Art or a related field to be qualified for the position.

Candidates should have the ability, experience, and knowledge to teach Foundations-level studio art courses in topics such as visual composition, color theory, observational drawing, digital workflows, and creative processes informed by an active studio practice. Special attention will be given to candidates with knowledge of contemporary issues in the visual arts and culture. The active Foundations art program in the Department of Visual and Media Arts comprises four courses: 2-D Design and Color, Introduction to Drawing I, Making and Meaning in Art and Design, and 3-D Design.

The Studio Art Foundations experience serves a diverse population of students at the university, including majors in Art History, Art Education, Film and Video Production, Photography, Studio Art, Studio Art minors, the University's General Education Program, and students pursuing Studio Art courses as electives. Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to undergraduate teaching and student mentoring in a liberal arts context.

Individuals from all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates must be able to effectively engage with students, colleagues, and community members with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Required Qualifications and Education

MFA in Studio Art, Design, or related field
Documented ability, experience, and knowledge to teach Foundations-level courses in visual composition, color theory, observational drawing, digital workflows, and creative processes informed by an active studio practice.
Potential for successful college-level teaching, unit and university service, and an active, creative/research practice.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect and cultural humility.

Preferred Qualifications and Education

Preferred candidates will have a vision of the future of Studio Art foundations and how the field is evolving with emerging technologies and expanded modes of creative practice that integrate both digital and analogue processes, reflecting the dynamic intersections of art, technology, and social change.
Two or more years of teaching studio art courses at the college or university level. Experience gained through teaching assistantships will be taken into consideration.
Proficient knowledge of digital production applications, including Adobe Creative Cloud.
Proficient knowledge of arts production processes and presentation techniques (printing, mounting, etc.).
Experience teaching Studio Art Foundations to students in art, design, photography, and media-based arts.

Responsibilities:

Teach 9 (nine) credits/semester in the Studio Art Foundations program.
Maintain an active scholarship and/or creative practice in a field of Studio Art or Design.
Participate in service activities that are commensurate with your rank, interests, and departmental needs.
Mentor and advise students in the Foundations and other emphasis majors within the Department of Visual and Media Arts.
Contribute to shared responsibilities in the Foundations program by participating in program vision, curriculum development, scheduling, and staffing.
Participate in student portfolio reviews for students in studio art at the sophomore, junior, and senior levels.
The successful candidate will work on a significant focus (equivalent to 3 credit hours) of additional responsibilities in teaching, scholarship/creative activity, and/or service, depending on the candidate's interests and the department's needs.

Salary: $63,892; commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources, and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Department: The Department of Visual and Media Arts strives to uphold the values of a liberal education while offering intensive engagement in the production and critical examination of the visual and media arts. As educators, artists, and scholars, we value the investigation of the world through participation in broad cultural discourses. In addition to preparing students formally and conceptually for careers in the visual arts, the department strives to foster the broadly transferable skills of inquiry, reflection, critical analysis, dialogue, and expression.

The Department of Visual and Media Arts is located in Allendale, MI, on the Grand Valley State University Valley campus. It has 39 full-time faculty members (27 tenure-stream and 12 non-tenure stream) and has over 600 majors. The Department offers major degrees in Art Education (BA, BS), Art History (BA), Film and Video Production (BA, BS), Photography (BA, BS), and Studio Art (BA, BS, BFA with emphases in Ceramics, Graphic Design, Illustration, Jewelry and Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Visual Studies). Additionally, the Department also offers minors in Art History, Film and Video Production, Photography, and Studio Art, as well as a rich catalog of courses for non-majors. Grand Valley State University is an institutional member of the National Association of Schools in Art and Design (NASAD), and its Art and Design programs are fully accredited.

College: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor's degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered learning community that welcomes individuals from various backgrounds, engages in critical inquiry, and extends knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to offering students an accessible and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education that prepares them for meaningful careers. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.

University: Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan, with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, as well as centers in Detroit, Muskegon, and Traverse City. The University attracts undergraduate and graduate students with high-quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities. It has been nationally recognized for its innovativeness and contributions to students' social mobility.

The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is situated within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and numerous other superb summer and winter recreational destinations. Information can be found at the Community Resources page on the Grand Valley State University Human Resources website.

How To Apply: Apply online at GVSU Careers. To be considered for the position, applicants must upload the following items to the online application:

A cover letter that addresses the candidate's qualifications and motivation to teach at GVSU, specifically within the Studio Art Foundations program, which focuses on visual composition, color theory, observational drawing, and creative processes, and includes an understanding of contemporary issues in visual art.
Current curriculum vitae with the contact information for three professional references, including the name, addresses, and contact information for each.
A teaching philosophy statement highlighting teaching strategies and methods that support undergraduate teaching and mentoring for Foundations-level students in the visual and media arts, and a research statement about the candidate's scholarly and/or creative work.
Graduate transcripts (Unofficial transcripts issued to students are acceptable for this aspect of the search process.)
Online links featuring 15-20 samples of personal creative works and 15-20 samples of anonymized student works focused on Foundations-level studio art courses in visual composition, color theory, and observational drawing.

The online application will enable the electronic attachment of five (5) application documents, in the same file location. The total size of candidates' materials uploaded to the application portal cannot exceed five (5) MB.

Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts beforehand. If candidates are selected for the online interview process, the search committee will request written letters from each reference. If you need assistance, email Human Resources at hro@gvsu.edu. Questions about the position may be directed to the search Chair, Professor Bill Hosterman, at hostermw@gvsu.edu.

Application Deadline: Application reviews for this position will begin January 16, 2026. The posting may be closed at any time at the University's discretion thereafter.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.

To apply, visit https://gvsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Allendale-MI/Assistant-Professor-of-Studio-Art-Foundations_R103782