Job Description

Metro State University, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, is seeking to hire an Assistant Professor of Art History and Gallery Director. This is a probationary position within the Fine Arts and will start on August 18, 2025.

Responsibilities

Faculty members are expected to:

• Demonstrate the ability to teach art history courses effectively to a post-traditional student population and contribute to meaningful assessment of student learning.
• Serve as the Gallery Director for the newly remodeled Gordon Parks Gallery on the St Paul campus.
• Facilitate a vibrant and diverse exhibition schedule and related programming for the Gordon Parks Gallery.
• Lead a group internship in curatorial practices of the gallery including installation, deinstallation and other production events.
• Develop art history, art criticism, curatorial practice and related courses for a diverse, contemporary student population and contribute to meaningful assessment of student learning.
• Serve in other curatorial capacities for the art collection of Metro State.
• Engage in scholarly activity, creative achievement, and/or research.
• Provide evidence of continuing preparation and study.
• Contribute to student growth and development through advising and assistance.
• Engage in service to the university and community.
• Demonstrate a commitment to serving a diverse student body by delivering a student-centered education and using approaches that support equitable outcomes for all students.
• Provide excellent learning environments through in-person, online, and/or hybrid course modalities.

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of a masterâ™s degree in Art History or closely related field with enrollment in a doctoral program. Doctoral program must be successfully completed within 5 years to meet the requirement for tenure.
• Demonstrated interest in faculty position that prioritizes teaching and emphasizes teaching excellence.
• At least one year experience of curatorial work developing exhibitions and programming.
• A plan for scholarly activity, creative achievement, and/or research in the specified discipline(s), or related disciplines.
• Effective communication skills (written & verbal) to communicate with a variety of persons and groups.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with students and colleagues who are culturally, economically, and linguistically diverse.
• Specific Technical, Computer, and/or Software skills (Photoshop, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel)

Preferred Qualification 

• A completed terminal degree in the specified discipline(s). Preference given to candidates that have either a PhD in Art History, an MFA in Curatorial Practice or a MA in Museum Studies, or related field.
• At least one year experience teaching art history, art theory and/or art criticism courses.
• Demonstrated effectiveness teaching at a post-secondary level.
• Experience developing course curricula at a post-secondary institution.
• Demonstrated contributions to assessment of student learning at a post-secondary institution.
• Professional development and/or expertise in culturally responsive pedagogy, anti-racist pedagogy, and/or universal design.
• Experience as an academic advisor for students at post-secondary institution.

Other Requirements

Notice: In accordance with the Minnesota State Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, employees driving on university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota Stateâ™s vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check.

Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)

Telework (Yes/No)

About

Metro State University empowers learners to transform their lives and communities through relevant, student-centered education in an inclusive, anti-racist, and supportive learning environment.

Metro State University provides an excellent, inclusive, and engaging education to eliminate opportunity gaps and empower our students to lead our communities to a prosperous and equitable future. The university offers programs leading to baccalaureate, masters, and applied doctoral degrees. We provide accessible, high quality liberal arts, professional, and graduate education with continued emphasis on marginalized groups, including adult learners. Metro State is a five-time recipient of the Insight into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, most recently in 2023. Federally recognized as a Minority Serving Institution, its employees serve more than 9,000 post-traditional learners, two-thirds of whom identify as belonging to communities of color or American Indian nations, are first in their family to attend college, and/or are eligible for Pell Grants. Since we do not operate residential facilities, Metro State University students all commute to class locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, or take their courses wherever they are through our many distance-learning and hybrid course offerings, allowing Metro State to truly be âœwhere learning meets living.❠Metropolitan State is recognized by CollegeNet as a leading higher education promoter of social mobility for students (Ranked # 31 out of 1,206 in 2024). Recognized in 2008 and 2016 by the Carnegie Foundation for Community Engagement, the university is committed to academic excellence and community engagement through curriculum, teaching, scholarship, and services designed to support an urban mission. As a member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, Metro State University actively works to achieve the

About Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, System Office

With its 31 institutions, including 24 two-year colleges and seven state universities, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is the largest single provider of higher education in the state of Minnesota. The colleges and universities operate 54 campuses in 47 Minnesota communities and serve about 250,000 students in credit-based courses. Overall, the system produces about 33,500 graduates each year. In addition to credit-based courses, the system offers customized training programs that serve about 153,200 employees from 6,000 Minnesota businesses each year. The law creating the system was passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 1991 and went into effect July 1, 1995. The law merged the state's community colleges, technical colleges and state universities into one system. The system is separate from the University of Minnesota.

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