Career Center

The Department of Art and Art History at Swarthmore College invites applications for a one-year Visiting Assistant Professor position in modern and contemporary art history to begin Fall 2022. We seek an art historian who can teach a broad range of topics in the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries and who brings a focused specialty in African (including its diaspora), African-American, and/or Native American art history. 

The strongest applicants will be dedicated teacher-scholars with a well-developed field of specialization, an interest in developing courses that take novel and inclusive perspectives to the study of modern and contemporary art, a commitment to pedagogically creative undergraduate teaching in a liberal arts context, and with research plans they can pursue during their time at Swarthmore. The ability to teach courses that engage with the many museums and art resources in the Greater Philadelphia area is highly valued. The course load is 2 courses per semester (four courses per year). Teaching responsibilities include introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses in the Art History program, which draws students from across the college's fields of study. The faculty-to-student ratio at Swarthmore is 1 to 9. 

We seek an individual who can enrich our current course offerings, as well as contribute to the broader educational programs of the college. Among the qualifications required for appointment is the Ph.D. degree in Art History or a closely related field. Outstanding candidates who are in the final stages of dissertation writing (ABD) will be considered with the expectation that the PhD is in hand by the time of employment.

Located in the immediate suburbs of Philadelphia, Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. The College offers a comprehensive and highly competitive compensation package.

Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to diversity and actively seeks and welcomes applicants with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. We are particularly interested in candidates who can work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information on Faculty Diversity and Excellence at Swarthmore, see https://www.swarthmore.edu/faculty-diversity-excellence/information-candidates-new-faculty.

Address cover letter to Patricia Reilly, Art History Program Chair. Candidates should upload a single cover letter that discusses teaching pedagogy and research, a curriculum vitae, and a short writing sample. Letters of recommendation will be requested for candidates who proceed to the second round of consideration. Questions can be directed to Caren Brenman, Administrative Assistant: cbrenma1@swarthmore.edu.

Apply at: apply.interfolio.com/100290

Full consideration will be given to all applications received by February 1, 2022. We expect to begin interviewing candidates (by Zoom) in March.

Effective July 21, 2021, Swarthmore is requiring all new employees to show proof of being fully vaccinated by their start date, unless they have an approved medical or religious exemption. For more information about Swarthmore's vaccine requirements, please visit the Swarthmore COVID-19 Response website.

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.