Texas Tech University

J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts School of Art

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF TRANSMEDIA (TENURE TRACK)

Position Number: 26547BR

Appointment: Assistant Professor of Transmedia, beginning Fall 2022

Application Deadline: Review of applicants will begin January 15, 2022

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

The Texas Tech University School of Art (TTU SOA) is accepting applications for a full-time, Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Transmedia starting fall 2022.

The ideal candidate will be able to teach topics such as 2d animation, storyboarding, character design, etc. with a focus on helping students create portfolios that are relevant to various industry-related fields. We are seeking someone with forward-thinking ideas about new digital forms of making and its application to a broad spectrum of creative and employment outcomes including industry, entertainment, non-profit, or government sectors. Our program seeks to interweave existing strengths in traditional studio media with expanded offerings in technology-driven fields.

Diversity and Equity in education are broad concepts that encompass all the unique characteristics that students, staff, and faculty can bring to an institution. At the School of Art, we are committed to inclusive excellence, and we value diverse perspectives. Within your letter of application, we ask applicants to explain how your previous and potential contributions will enhance a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, research, creative activity, and service.

Required Qualifications:

Academic degree as defined by the academic unit and as appropriate for the position held. Demonstrated record of effectiveness as a teacher, a record of peer reviewed publication and/or peer-reviewed creative activity which has contributed to the discipline or field of study, to the candidate’s intellectual and artistic development, and to the quality of the academic enterprise; a record of professional service appropriate to the discipline; promise of growth in teaching and research or artistic and creative activity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MFA in 2D Animation/Digital Media/Graphic Design/Studio Art, or BFA with substantial professional experience in active client-based work or other significant evidence of creative/professional practice in industry.
• Candidate must be able to teach 2d animation, storyboarding, character design, etc. with a focus on helping students create portfolios that are relevant to various creative and industry-related fields.
• Our ideal candidate will possess a comprehensive skillset in digital technology.
• One or more years of teaching experience at the university or college level.
• Extensive knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite.
• Additional experience with 3D modeling and prototyping. 
• Ability to contribute to the oversight and teaching our 2000-level foundation Technology in Art course.

Position Description:

Duties include developing new Transmedia courses in the candidate’s field as well as other School of Art courses as needed. Major teaching duties include providing our undergraduate students with comprehensive digital technology skills.

Major/Essential Functions:

• Maintaining an excellent track record of creative/professional/client-based work, strong teaching performance, and service as expected of all tenure-track appointments.
• Curriculum development in existing and new courses and overseeing relevant studio and technology equipment.
• Service to the department, college, and university is expected, including participating in School of Art committee work, recruitment events and community outreach activities.
• Service duties include program-building, as well as commitment to extra-curricular activities, collaboration within/outside of the university and building industry partnerships for students.
• Opportunities to train Graduate Teaching Assistants may also be available and are dependent upon the applicant’s qualifications.
• Pursuit of external grants in support of research or creative activity, when appropriate and available in the faculty member’s field, is encouraged.

The School of Art is NASAD accredited and offers the BA in Art History, BA in Art, the BFA in Studio Art, Graphic Design, and Visual Studies (teacher certification), the MAE, the MFA in Studio Art, MA in Art History, and the Ph.D. in Fine Arts with a major in Art. A faculty of 31 fulltime professors serves approximately 250 undergraduate students and 60 students involved in graduate study. The school has many prominent alumni. Technical and administrative support includes a total of 10 staff positions. The School’s Visual Resource Center maintains art reference books, current art periodicals, instructional media, digital classrooms, and a legacy slide collection, as well as an expanding collection of digital images for teaching and research. Additional images are available through ARTStor and online at the university library. The program also supports the Landmark Arts Galleries and the Standing Room Only Photography Gallery (SRO). For more information visit:  www.art.ttu.edu

The J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts is comprised of the School of Art, the School of Music, and the School of Theatre & Dance, accredited by NASAD, NASM, NAST, and NASD, respectively. TTU is the only public university in the state accredited in all   four arts areas, and boasts many acclaimed alumni, including Susan Graham, Terry Cook, Ann Sanders, G.W. Bailey, Barry Corbin, Jennifer Smith, Scott Dadich, Susanne Klotz, Ken Little and D.J. Stout. With more than 120 faculty members and approximately 1,100 students, the College offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including the terminal M.F.A., D.M.A., and Ph.D. degrees. Our unique Ph.D. program in Fine Arts provides interdisciplinary education in the visual & performing arts combined with philosophical aesthetics. For more information, visit: www.vpa.ttu.edu

Texas Tech University, established in 1923, is a Carnegie Highest Research Activity university and the largest comprehensive institution of higher education in the western two-thirds of the state (a region larger than 46 of the nation’s 50 states). Texas Tech University is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The university’s 1,839-acre Spanish Renaissance style campus, which serves approximately 40,000 students, is the only one in Texas that is home to a major university, law school and medical school. Lubbock, the hub of the South Plains, has a multicultural area population of almost 300,000 and offers a quality living experience with a semi-arid climate and housing costs below the national average. Texas Tech University recently surpassed the Hispanic student population threshold necessary for designation as a   Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The city supports a symphony orchestra; several museums; the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts; numerous galleries; and a variety of  music, dance, and theatre performances. Lubbock’s airport offers direct flights to Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Denver, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:

As an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, Texas Tech University is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. We actively encourage applications from all those who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and  excellence of the academic community at Texas Tech University. The university welcomes applications from minoritized candidates, women, protected veterans, persons with disabilities, and dual-career couples.

Apply online at http://www.texastech.edu/careers/

Please provide the following with your application:

1. Letter of Application. Please briefly address all qualifications related to research, teaching, and service for the position as well as your previous and potential contributions to enhance a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in these areas.
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. One-page Teaching Philosophy
4. One-page Research/Professional Statement
5. College Transcripts
6. List of Three References with contact information; (Name, title, relationship, address, email and phone number)
7. Portfolio of Creative/Professional work (a single PDF file with 20 images and/or video links) Please include title, date, media & dimensions/duration of each work.
8. Portfolio of Student Work (a single PDF file with 20 images and and/or video links.) if available. Please include title, date, media and dimensions/duration of each work.
9. Sample Syllabi and Lesson Plans if available

Contact Assistant Professor Cody Arnall, Chair of the Assistant Professor of Transmedia search committee for more information: cody.arnall@ttu.edu  www.art.ttu.edu