Assistant Professor of Art

Smith College : Massachusetts : Department of Art

Location

Northampton, MA

Open Date

Sep 04, 2025

Description

The Department of Art at Smith College invites applications for a tenure-track position in Studio Art at the rank of Assistant Professor, to begin July 2026. We seek an artist with an active studio practice in artist's books and artist's publications and a strong understanding of contemporary critical issues and histories of art, especially as they concern the expanded field of print media and its capacity for social engagement. Candidates should have a commitment to undergraduate teaching and be prepared to engage actively with diverse students across the liberal arts. MFA or equivalent terminal degree in art or a relevant field is expected by the time of appointment. College-level teaching experience beyond graduate school is required.

Candidates should have a strong foundation in book arts and publication formats, letterpress, and a variety of printmaking processes, including digital and emerging applications. As well, they should have experience with community-facing practices, which might involve interactivity, collectivity, activism, distribution, etc. Teaching responsibilities for this position will regularly include scaffolded courses based on expertise in these areas, plus Drawing I and the Senior Studio capstone, since faculty teach at all levels of the curriculum. Other courses may be taught depending on the candidate's area(s) of specialization.

The successful candidate will teach two studio courses per semester (four per year) within a department that has majors in studio art, art history, and architecture. Along with teaching and artistic practice, faculty at Smith mentor and advise undergraduates, contribute to departmental and college committees, and may be involved in interdisciplinary and consortial programs. Smith College also offers a generous sabbatical policy, and support for curricular development and practice-based travel.

Additional responsibilities include management of the typography / letterpress studio and shared oversight of other relevant facilities in collaboration with printmaking faculty and department staff. Department facilities are well-equipped for traditional, digital, and experimental production and are in close proximity to the Hillyer Art Library and the Smith College Museum of Art.

Given the cross-disciplinary interests of students and colleagues in the Department of Art, we encourage applicants who bring a conceptually and technically expansive approach to the field and to the studio classroom. Beyond the department, the Book Studies Concentration, the Mortimer Rare Book Collection, the Jandon Center for Community Engagement, and the Botanic Garden are just a few of the potential partners for teaching or practice-based collaboration on campus.

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is the largest women's college in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. Smith College offers opportunities to foster faculty success at every career stage, such as those listed here . The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty collaborate in varied teaching activities across the Five Colleges. Further details about the Department of Art at Smith may be found at https : / / www.smith.edu / academics / programs-courses / academic-programs / art

As set forth in our mission and values , Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit the following materials as a single PDF document at https : / / apply.interfolio.com / 173234

Cover letter addressing your creative work and teaching experience / philosophy

Curriculum vitae

20 Images of recent creative work

10 Images of student work with relevant prompts for that work

2 Sample syllabi : one each for introductory and upper level courses that best reflect your teaching approaches

Equity and Inclusion Statement (please see guidelines)

Full contact information of three confidential references.

At the interview stage, candidate's references will be asked to submit letters of recommendation on behalf of the candidate. Review of applications will begin November 15th, 2025. All applications received before December 15th, 2025, will be considered. Candidates from groups underrepresented in book arts and artist's publications are encouraged to apply. Questions may be directed to Prof. Alex Callender, who is the chair of the search committee ( acallender@smith.edu ).