Assistant / Associate Professor of Art History and Director of the Art Gallery (Tenure Track)

Eastern Connecticut State University is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the  Assistant / Associate Professor of Art History and Director of the Art Gallery (Tenure Track)  position. Eastern is Connecticut’s Public Liberal Arts University and is located in Willimantic, Connecticut which is 1.5 hours from Boston and 2.5 hours from New York City.  Eastern is one of four universities in the Connecticut State College and University System (CSCU). The position also offers substantial health and retirement benefits.

The Department of Art & Art History at Eastern Connecticut State University invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level to begin Fall 2026. Applicants must have a strong commitment to teaching excellence, scholarship, student advisement, and university and community service. ECSU is especially interested in faculty with demonstrated excellence in teaching in a liberal arts curriculum and sensitivity to diverse populations and perspectives.

This position is split evenly between classroom teaching (and related duties) and directorship of Eastern’s on-campus Art Gallery. We seek a faculty member with expertise in modern or contemporary art and a background in museums or galleries to join our vibrant, multidisciplinary department.

Position Description :

The faculty member will be expected to teach two courses per semester (or one course and equivalent load credit activities, such as Senior Project, Independent Study, or Internship advising; program directorship; or other administrative duties). Candidates should have the expertise and ability to teach writing-intensive courses for Art majors on Museums and Exhibitions and Issues in Contemporary Art, as well as contribute to teaching the global art history survey and to develop and teach other courses in their area of expertise.

In addition to these teaching duties, the faculty member will receive a two-course reduction to serve as director of Eastern’s Art Gallery, which occupies a 2,500-square-foot space in the new Fine Arts Instructional Center and connects the Eastern community with art and artists from the region and beyond. The Gallery Director also oversees Eastern’s permanent art collection of nearly 2,000 works of modern and contemporary art, the majority of which are on permanent display around campus. As Gallery Director, the faculty member will maintain an active exhibition program, engage the campus and regional community, prepare grant applications and cultivate donors in partnership with the Office of Alumni and Development, manage the budget for acquisitions and events and supervise Gallery staff. The faculty member will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to Eastern’s public Liberal Arts community and mission of teaching, student advisement and mentoring, scholarly activity, service to the department and University, and professional development.

This is a 12-month position to begin July 1, 2026.

Minimum Qualifications :

• PhD in Art History, Museum Studies, or a related field (ABD candidates will be considered if they provide evidence of anticipated completion of degree by the date of appointment, July 2026)
• Ability to teach courses in modern art, contemporary art, and museum studies from a multicultural perspective
• Active research agenda in Art History and / or Museum Studies
• Professional experience in a gallery or museum environment
• Record of contribution to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, scholarship and / or service

Preferred Qualifications :

experience as TA or adjunct)

To apply :

Applications must include the following documents :

chairperson

Writing / publication sample, course syllabi, and letters of recommendation will be requested after initial review.

Please combine documents into a single PDF and upload to :   Assistant / Associate Professor of Art History and Director of the Art Gallery - Eastern CT State University - Career Page . The position will remain open until filled; however, priority will be given to applications received by December 5, 2025.

Compensation and Employee Benefits

The Assistant or Associate Professor is compensated at the Assistant or Associate Professor salary level in accordance with Connecticut State University American Association of University Professors (CSU-AAUP) Collective Bargaining Unit Agreement.

For more information, please visit  Bargaining Agreements / Pay Plans - Eastern .

The State of Connecticut and Eastern Connecticut State University are proud to offer its employees competitive wages and a wide range of fringe benefits including voluntary and supplemental benefits. Fringe benefits include : paid personal, vacation and sick leave accruals; medical, dental, and prescription plans; group life insurance; retirement; retiree health care; tuition waiver for employee and eligible dependents at any of the Connecticut State Universities (Central, Eastern, Southern or Western) as well as an array of voluntary and supplemental benefits such as Deferred Retirement Contribution plans, Dependent Care Assistance and Medical Flexible spending accounts; long and short term disability insurance plans.

For more detailed information, please visit  Human Resources - Eastern .

Eastern Connecticut State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or criminal record. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies : LaMar Coleman, Ed.D., Vice President for Equity and Diversity. Dr. Coleman can be reached at : 860-465-5112 or via email at :   colemanla@easternct.edu .