Department of Art & Art History: Assistant Professor

The Department of Art & Art History at the University of North Carolina Asheville, a public liberal arts and sciences university, seeks qualified applicants with expertise in Foundations for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant professor position that will begin in the fall semester of 2026. The successful candidate must have earned a Masters in Fine Arts or closely related discipline prior to July 1, 2026 and will be expected to teach 12 contact hours per semester (typically three or four classes); establish their scholarly activities that involve undergraduates; and engage in service to the institution, the community, and the profession. The department is particularly interested in individuals with expertise to teach courses and conduct research in the Foundations area including, but not limited to: Foundation Drawing, Two-Dimensional Design, and Three-Dimensional Design. Ideal candidates will bring innovative pedagogy, a broad understanding of contemporary art and design, and an interest in interdisciplinary and collaborative practices. While the medium of the applicant's creative and scholarly practice is open, proficiency in drawing, painting, and design is preferred. The person in this position will also serve as the lead coordinator of our departmental Foundations Program, mentor adjunct faculty in collaboration with other faculty, and create a curriculum that supports both BA and BFA degree programs. Individuals with demonstrated excellence in teaching, a strong commitment to undergraduate education, and a well-developed plan to establish an active research program that involves mentoring students are strongly encouraged to apply. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the core curriculum and engage in departmental and university-level service.

UNC Asheville values interdisciplinary perspectives, often incorporated in teaching within the core curriculum. Multidisciplinary perspectives are welcomed, as is pedagogical collaboration with colleagues from across the campus. UNC Asheville has also been a national leader in undergraduate research for over 30 years, and over 67% of our students graduate each year having been involved in this important learning experience. The University fully embraces the idea of mentored undergraduate research being one of the highest forms of teaching, and the institution values success in this facet of a faculty member's work. Therefore, the successful candidate for this position must be able to articulate a clear vision for a sustainable, highly productive, and preferably externally funded scholarly activities that includes undergraduates.

Applications for this position should be submitted electronically at https://jobs.unca.edu. Complete applications require a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy that includes interest in or potential for interdisciplinary teaching outside of the department, a statement of planned scholarship and creative activities, 20 images of personal artwork, 20 images of student artwork, undergraduate transcripts, and graduate transcripts. Each applicant should also request three letters of reference, to be sent separately, that address the candidate's written, verbal, and interpersonal skills; ability to teach and mentor undergraduate students; and potential to develop successful, externally funded scholarly activities. Review of applications will begin December 7, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries may be directed to Suzie Dittenber, sdittenb@unca.edu, Associate Professor of Painting, Department of Art & Art History.

Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply regardless of socio-economic status, gender expression, gender and sexual identity, culture, and ideological beliefs. UNC Asheville is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and will not discriminate against applicants and employees on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other legally protected status with respect to all terms, conditions, and privileges of university-sponsored activities, employment, and the use of university facilities.

A Masters in Fine Arts or related field with expertise in Foundations earned prior to July 1, 2026 is required for this position. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate through application materials and in the interview that they have demonstrated excellence in undergraduate education, a concrete research agenda that includes the mentoring of undergraduate students, a desire to contribute to general education requirements, and have interests in interdisciplinary work across the university.

Please note that any documents submitted to Human Resources or the hiring departments become property of UNC Asheville and will not be returned.

Applications for this position should be submitted electronically at https://jobs.unca.edu. The applicant will enter information into the application system which will automatically request three letters of reference to be sent separately and confidentially that speaks to the candidate's writing and interpersonal skills and ability to teach and mentor undergraduate students. Please, do not submit reference letters directly to the search chair.

Review of applications will begin December 7, 2025.

Inquiries only may be directed to Search Committee Chair, Suzie Dittenber, sdittenb@unca.edu. Please do not submit any materials to this email address. All application materials, including letters submitted separately by references or portfolio services, must be uploaded via the application portal.