University of South Florida

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Assistant Professor of Art History - Contemporary Art (Finance)



Department/Department Number: School of Art & Art History/0-2404-000

College/Department: College of the Design, Art, and Performance

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Job Code/Title: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Art History - Contemporary Art

Due Date for Applications : To ensure full consideration please apply by January 10 th , 2025; however, applications will be received until the position is filled.

The School of Art and Art History at the University of South Florida invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position with a specialization in contemporary art history, particularly current art production.

The successful candidate for this assistant professor position, in line with the performance expectations of an R1 AAU institution, will maintain an active record of high-impact research at the national or international level and demonstrate ambitions to produce original scholarship that significantly contributes to the field. Their research agenda will align with the future direction of Contemporary Art History within the School of Art & Art History, enhancing the program's reach through innovative and cross-disciplinary initiatives.

The School of Art & Art History is committed to examining the breadth of art historical practices, spanning from antiquity to contemporary art across diverse global contexts. The ideal candidate will play a vital role in enhancing our dynamic curriculum, contributing to both undergraduate and graduate programs, and shaping the future of art history studies at our institution. Their expertise will enrich our interdisciplinary approach and foster critical engagement with art as an integral part of social and cultural history.

Responsibilities: Maintain an active record of high-impact research at the national or international level; teach two classes per semester (including a survey in contemporary art and seminars); supervise M.A. theses and M.A. Qualifying Papers in art history; serve as a member of MFA thesis committees; participate in program development and graduate teaching; and engage in service committees and projects at various levels throughout the institution.

We are especially interested in applicants' ideas for a survey course in contemporary art (beginning with foundational concepts from the late 20th century but emphasizing 21 st century issues and practices) and for seminars on current artistic production, theory, and criticism. Candidates who demonstrate a strong interest in engaging with the USF Contemporary Art Museum, Graphicstudio, and/or their related Public Art programs-are particularly encouraged to apply.

Organizational Summary: As the creative center of the University of South Florida, the College of Design, Art, and Performance provides a professional environment for tomorrow's leaders in architecture, art, art history, music, theatre, dance, and design. The College's three research centers lead the way, making meaningful contributions to their fields.

The USF School of Art & Art History offers both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Master of Arts (MA) in Art History, emphasizing art history as a vital component of social and cultural history in a global context. The program includes studies in American, European, Middle Eastern, and Asian art. Students benefit from individualized attention from an award-winning faculty and engage in small, writing-intensive seminars that encourage interdisciplinary approaches.

Opportunities for internships at local museums and the unique resources of the USF Contemporary Museum of Art, and the renowned Graphicstudio enhance the educational experience. Additionally, the Kennedy Family Artist and Scholar program, part of the School of Art & Art History, invites recognized artists and scholars to develop interdisciplinary projects and teach, fostering dialogue and outreach that enrich academic research and community engagement. Together, these initiatives create a vibrant platform for contemporary art historians to contribute to and expand the discourse surrounding art and its societal impact.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. or near completion.
  • High level of commitment to research and promise of scholarly productivity.
  • Proven excellence in teaching experience.
  • Interest in critical theory and current studio art production.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Teaching experience beyond graduate assistantships.
  • Engagement with art in a global context (beyond Europe and North America).
  • Interest in using the collections of the USF Contemporary Museum collection and Graphicstudio archive as a resource for research and teaching.
  • Scholarly publications.
  • Ph.D. In hand.

Applicants MUST provide the following documents when completing the application:
  • Letter of interest describing research interests and teaching philosophy.
  • Curriculum vitae.
  • Sample of scholarly writing.
  • Dissertation abstract.

Please create a single PDF containing all these required documents and upload it to the "Resume (Required)" section of the application.

Optional documents for application:

  • Course syllabi.

If you wish to add syllabi, please add them to the PDF containing all the required documents listed above.

USF Tampa

Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a Level 1 criminal background check.

Job Opening Number: 38231

Posting Date: 11/20/2024

How To Apply

Click on the Apply Now button. When applying to an opening you will have the opportunity to upload a cover letter and resume.

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME, PLUS ANY OTHER REQUESTED MATERIAL, MUST BE IN ONE ATTACHMENT. Only online applications are accepted for this position. Therefore, please create a single PDF containing all the documents you wish to submit and upload it to the "Resume (Required)" section of the application. Please save your PDF with the title "Application" preceded by your last name, as in this example: "Smith Application". Feel free to disregard the "Cover Letter Attachment" section.

Click here for additional tutorial information.

To request an accommodation with the application or interview process, please contact Central Human Resources by telephone: 813-974-2970 or email HR-ADA-Request@usf.edu .

Equal Employment Opportunity

USF is an equal opportunity, equal access academic institution that embraces diversity in the workplace.

The University of South Florida does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sexual harassment. Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator. Reports may be made at any time either online or directly to the University's Title IX Coordinator.

USF's Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Statement .

Federal Rights

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) , Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) .

Work Location

Campus map and location overview: USF - Tampa Campus

About USF

The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report's national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state's 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.

In 2023, USF became the first public university in Florida in nearly 40 years to be invited to join the Association of American Universities (AAU) , a prestigious group of the leading universities in the United States and Canada.

With 88 new U.S. utility patents granted in 2023, USF is 14th among American public research universities and 34th among all universities worldwide in generating new patents. The ranking places USF as a leader among the more than 1,000 academic institutions generating new, novel and useful inventions granted intellectual property protection from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Working at USF

With more than 16,000 employees at USF, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay region. At USF you will find opportunities to excel in a rich academic environment that fosters the development and advancement of our employees. We believe in creating a talented, engaged and driven workforce through on-going development and career opportunities. We also offer a first class benefit package that includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, tuition program and generous leave programs and more.

To learn more about working at USF please visit: Work Here. Learn Here. Grow Here .

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