Assistant Professor of Art

Davidson College

  • Davidson, NC
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 7 days ago
Job Category: Faculty RolesDegree Level: Master's DegreeJob Description:Davidson College's Art Department invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Studio Art with expertise in sculpture. We seek an actively exhibiting artist who can create a studio classroom environment that investigates 3D structures and spaces, utilizing sculpture and constructed environments to explore various facets of contemporary culture and experience, including those that have traditionally been underrepresented. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and conceptually rich studio environment and seek a dynamic artist-educator who will contribute significantly to our undergraduate curriculum, mentorship, and creative activity. Davidson attracts highly motivated students from a wide range of geographic and experiential backgrounds. Commitment to teaching and working closely with students is central to our mission; we are a community which highly values nurturing and supporting students' intellectual and creative curiosity.This position carries a five-course annual teaching load (four courses in the first year), encompassing courses in beginning and advanced sculpture, beginning drawing, and rotating advanced courses that guide students toward a senior capstone with exhibition in the Smith Gallery. There is the flexibility to develop new courses that reflect technical and theoretical investigations of interest to the candidate. The ideal candidate should effectively bridge technical skills with inquiry within the larger context of historical and contemporary concerns, encouraging critical engagement with material, techne, space, and social contexts.Studio Facilities & Institutional Context
The Belk Visual Arts Center boasts comprehensive facilities, including:
● A 6,500 sq. ft. sculpture studio equipped for clay, plaster, metal, and 3D fabrication with MIG and TIG welding stations, woodworking tools, and mold-making and casting tools.
● A digital fabrication lab, 3D printers, and access to 3D scanners.
● A bronze foundry for casting bronze using the lost-wax process equipped with a furnace and kiln.
● A spacious private onsite studio for each studio professor.
● Dedicated studios for painting, printmaking, and drawing with expansive natural light.
● A state-of-the-art digital lab for interdisciplinary projects.
● A highly skilled, full-time lab technician during the academic year.
● A commitment to economic accessibility in artmaking: Davidson College pays for all enrolled student art supplies.
● An ambitious campus sculpture program that includes works from Yinka Shonibare, MBE, and Magdalena Abakanowicz, and Hank Willis Thomas.
● Formal mentorship opportunities for new faculty.
● Funding available for professional development and travel for research and class trips.
● A campus environment that values creative expression, protects academic freedom, and nurtures humane instincts within a diverse and inclusive intellectual community.
Additionally, all faculty, staff, and students have access to campus-wide arts resources such as the Makerspace (Studio M) and Davidson Arts & Creative Engagement (DACE) Studio.Candidates who can offer expert mentorship across all areas of our sculpture facilities will be given priority. We encourage junior faculty who are interested in future leadership roles to apply. Our department includes both studio practitioners and art historians. We highly value both intradepartmental and interdepartmental collaboration, working together to cultivate a shared educational vision that values the creation and historical study of art.Requirements:
● Candidate must hold the MFA in studio art or its equivalent by start date (July 1, 2026)
● Required cover letter should address teaching experience, technical competencies (particularly in relation to our sculptural facilities), and a demonstrated commitment to inclusive, accessible studio art instruction that supports a diverse student body and fosters a sense of belonging for all students.
● A current artist's statement and portfolio of work are required. We recommend that the statement clearly articulate how your creative practice-as a professional, practicing artist-supports your teaching, contributes to student learning, and reflects ongoing professional development within the field. At Davidson, we view sustained creative work as central to faculty growth and curricular vitality.
● Professional CV.
● Names of 3 professional references.
● Please note that prior to hire, all official transcripts will be required.The deadline for receipt of applications is November 1, 2025. Inquiries may be sent to Professor Tyler Starr, Chair of the Search Committee, atInformation about how to submit an application can be found atAbout Us:Davidson is a highly selective, nationally ranked, residential liberal arts college located in Davidson, North Carolina, near Charlotte. We seek to hire talented faculty and staff who are committed to achieving excellence within an inclusive community where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are valued.

Davidson College