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Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 26064

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

William Culpepper

[email protected]

Classification Title

Working Title Assistant Professor of Art and Foundations Program Coordinator

Brief Position Overview

The School of Art at Montana State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Art with a specialization in Foundations, who will also serve as the Foundations Program Coordinator. This position combines teaching, curriculum leadership, faculty coordination, and program assessment within a student-centered Foundations program.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank Tenure-Track Faculty

Position Number 4A0440

Department Art

Division College of Arts & Architecture

Appointment Type Faculty

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type MUS

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The School of Art at Montana State University is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and collaborative creative community. We emphasize interdisciplinary exploration, artistic excellence, and professional growth, supporting students and faculty in advancing innovative practices while engaging with local, regional, and global arts communities.

Montana State University values all perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting, and building an expansive and robust campus environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

+ Teach Foundations and related courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level; maintain an active research-based and/or professional creative practice; mentor students within and beyond the classroom.

+ Design, develop, refine, and assess the Foundations curriculum in collaboration with faculty and School of Art leadership; ensure alignment with university learning objectives and accreditation standards.

+ Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate Foundations instructors and GTAs; conduct classroom observations and provide feedback.

+ Advise Foundation students, support academic success, and mediate concerns when necessary.

+ Lead program assessment efforts, student artifact review, peer observations, and accreditation-related reporting.

+ Manage Foundations budgets, supplies, student fees, and coordinate facility maintenance with staff.

+ Support recruitment and retention, evaluate transfer portfolios, coordinate co-curricular activities, and contribute service at department, college, and university levels.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

+ MFA in Studio Art, Design, or related field

+ Demonstrated experience teaching Foundations courses

+ Demonstrated experience in teaching undergraduate and graduate students

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

+ Minimum of two years of experience teaching art and/or design Foundations courses at the university level beyond graduate study.

+ Foundations curriculum development or coordination experience

+ Experience mentoring first-year students

+ Experience supervising instructors or GTAs

+ Familiarity with assessment and accreditation processes

+ Commitment to student-centered pedagogy

The Successful Candidate Will

+ Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses integrating a variety of instructional approaches

+ Pursue an active research-based and/or professional design practice.

+ Collaborate on curriculum development and assessment.

+ Contribute service to the university, the community, and the profession.

+ Strong organizational and communication skills

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

To be considered for this position, please submit the following with your application:

+ Letter of interest that specifically addresses qualifications

+ Statement of foundations pedagogy philosophy

+ Current Curriculum Vitae

+ 15 to 20 examples of creative work in PDF portfolio

+ 15 to 20 examples of student work in PDF portfolio

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

The Program

The School of Art at Montana State University is a creative incubator where new ideas are always encouraged and developed through learning, teaching and research. We are at the heart of Montana’s most influential and inventive artistic community, providing an energetic environment in which students can flourish. Our classes are studio-based, face-to-face, professionally orientated, and socially engaged and flexible in adapting to new ideas and approaches.

The School of Art is also committed to integrating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) into the curriculum both as a practical tool students can experiment with in their studio work and as a visionary force shaping the future of creative practice ensuring they are prepared to lead in a rapidly evolving artistic landscape. The curriculum is divided into seven areas of study: art history, ceramics, graphic design, jewelry and metalsmithing, painting and drawing, printmaking, and sculpture.

The Department

The College

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date 08/20/2026

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on February 6, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.