Open Call for a Position of Assistant Professor in Residence, Apparel Design and Jewelry and Metalsmithing

Rhode Island School of Design recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience in teaching, scholarship, professional practice, or service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to inclusion and excellence.

The Departments of Apparel Design and Jewelry + Metalsmithing seek applicants with a strong cross-disciplinary profile that intersect axes of race, gender, sexuality. Fashion, clothing, and adornment are multifaceted forms of communication, fundamental to how we envision ourselves, each other, our histories, and our futures. Applicants should have the ability to meld critical ways of knowing, with the haptic and embodied—working in studio-based and seminar courses that pair unexamined histories/experiences with the performative nature of storytelling, styling, writing, and image-making.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a significant record of work that exhibits a high level of proficiency; inspired criticism and dedicated teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels; evidence of a capacity for critical thinking/discourse/writing, and a knowledge of the histories of the disciplines as well as shared contemporary issues/theories.
Special consideration will be given to candidates whose creative practice and/or teaching is significantly influenced by works and bodies of knowledge from historically underrepresented communities.
The distribution of academic roles and responsibilities between departments will be influenced by the expertise and professional practice of the candidate.

Required Qualifications

• A terminal degree in relevant fields
• An active creative practice and a portfolio of work that reflects a strong personal vision and advanced competencies.
• Teaching experience at the college level that includes both studio and seminar courses
• Proven or promised ability to teach across multiple levels, from introductory to advanced courses.
• Evidence of cross-disciplinary interests/pedagogical initiatives.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications
A particular interest in decolonizing art curricula and fostering social engagement and activism is also encouraged.
Department /RISD Description
Rhode Island School of Design is an undergraduate and graduate college of art and design with approximately 2,400 graduate and undergraduate students. RISD supports faculty professional practice with sabbaticals, pre-critical review leave, conference funds, and professional development grants.

For more information on the Apparel Design Department: www.risd.edu/academics/apparel-design/
For more information on the Jewelry & Metalsmithing Department: www.risd.edu/academics/jewelry-metalsmithing

Faculty Responsibilities
The full-time faculty teaching load is six courses per year. Full-time faculty also serve on college committees, advise students, participate in curriculum development and other departmental activities and projects, and contribute to the vibrancy of the intellectual life of the college. Pending administrative approval, term appointments may be renewed for a second year.

Union
Yes, Pre-employment Requirement.
The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach the following to the appropriate links in the section labeled “Documents Needed to Apply”:

• A letter of intent
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching philosophy that comments on how you attend to equity and inclusion as core values of education and an academic community.
• Images of professional (maximum 20 images submitted as a pdf) plus an image description list.
• Images of student work (maximum 20 images submitted as a pdf) plus an image description list.

Names and contact information for three references are requested as part of the application process. Requests for reference letters are sent directly to the reference providers when candidates become finalists
Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Candidates who submit their materials by June 18, 2021, are assured full consideration.

EEO Statement
RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.