Affiliate Assistant Professor of Sculpture

Overview

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

The Art Department at the University of Dallas invites applications for an Affiliate Assistant Professor rank specializing in Sculpture beginning in August 2026. The applicant should demonstrate a firm commitment to undergraduate education at a liberal arts institution and will be required to teach classes from foundations through graduate and all courses within the sculpture discipline. The successful candidate will be required to serve on undergraduate and graduate committees for students in all five department areas (Printmaking, Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Art History), work closely with graduate students, direct the sculpture area, and have a strong exhibition record. Candidates should possess knowledge of a wide variety of processes ranging from traditional to experimental, be adept in digital integration within the discipline and show awareness of dialogues in contemporary art. Experience in managing/overseeing an active sculpture studio is expected. The teaching load for this position is three courses per semester.

Studio facilities include traditional metal and wood shops as well as digital fabrication equipment. An MFA is required by the position start date in August 2026.

 

Start Date is August 19, 2026.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
·         Teach classes from foundations through graduate and all courses within the sculpture discipline.

·         Serve on undergraduate and graduate committees for students in all five department areas.

·         Direct the sculpture area.

·         Maintain an active creative practice, research, or scholarly activity in sculpture or related fields.

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
With submitted materials, the candidate must show the following:

 

●        MFA in Sculpture (or Studio Art with emphasis in sculpture) completed by May 2026.

●        Active exhibition record; evidence of creative practice or professional portfolio.

●        College-level teaching experience beyond Teaching-Assistant Level.

●        Ability to teach across levels (foundations, intermediate, advanced) and across modalities (studio, lecture, seminar).

 

 

●        Ability to teach all levels (intro to graduate); address technical and conceptual aspects of student work.

●        Ability to teach various sculpture processes; knowledge of diverse traditional and contemporary techniques.

●        Understanding of historical and contemporary practices and theories in sculpture.

●        Commitment to current health and safety standards in the classroom.

●        Ability to organize, manage, and maintain the sculpture studio and area budget.

●        Commitment to student mentoring and community art involvement.

●        Commitment to excellence in presentation and exhibition standards.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
●     Demonstrated teaching excellence with 3-5 years of experience as an instructor of record, at the undergraduate or graduate levels.

●     Strong, sustained practice with a national/international exhibition record.

●     Evidence of familiarity with both traditional and contemporary/digital fabrication techniques (e.g., foundry work, metal fabrication, wood, 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling) in the sculpture/3D area.

●     Experience in curriculum development, program development (especially in sculpture or 3D concentration) or expanding/innovating the studio area.

●     Ability to engage collaboratively across departments or disciplines (interdisciplinary work) and engage with local/regional art communities.

●     Experience with student advising, mentoring, and serving as a capstone and graduate thesis committees.

 

APPLICATION

 

Applications should include the following:

●      Cover Letter (Please indicate in your application letter if you will be attending the CAA conference in 2026).

●     Curriculum vitae

●     Transcripts

●     Additional Materials: a single PDF containing:

 

○     20 images of professional work, including an image identification list with title, medium, dimensions, and date.

○     Artist Statement.

○     20 images of student work, including an image identification list with title (assignment or class), medium, dimensions, and date.

○     Statement of teaching philosophy.

○     Links to digital video work (optional).

○     Names and contact information, including email address of three references.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications should be received by January 5, 2026.

 

All applications should be submitted online at:

https://hr.udallas.edu/apply/

 

For questions regarding this position, please contact the chair of the Art Department, Kelly O’Briant,

kobriant@udallas.edu, with the subject line: Sculpture Faculty Search

 

WHO WE ARE
The University of Dallas is a premier Catholic liberal arts university that seeks to educate the whole person, encouraging its students to pursue wisdom, truth and virtue as the proper and primary ends of education. All employees are expected to support the university’s Mission, which is informed by the Apostolic Constitution Ex corde Ecclesiae, the Catholic Church’s governing document on Catholic universities. The University of Dallas is known for its nationally ranked Core Curriculum, exceptional post-graduation outcomes, and some of the happiest students in the country.

 

 

BENEFITS

 

UD provides competitive pay and benefits, including eligibility to participate in medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; employee events; a health and wellness program; a free fitness center; competitive leave programs; tuition waiver, tuition exchange for employees and their families; and matching retirement plan contributions.

 

 

The University of Dallas seeks to recruit, develop, and retain faculty, staff and administration of the highest caliber.

 

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from individuals who will enhance our community and advance our Mission.