Art & Design Faculty at Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA

Art & Design Faculty

Location: Sioux Center, IA, United States

DEPARTMENT: Art and Design

POSITION TYPE: Faculty

START DATE: Summer 2027

PURPOSE OF POSITION: Teach and advise studio art and design courses across foundational and upper-level curricula, welcoming candidates with diverse fine arts backgrounds while also drawing on applied skills or industry expertise, such as graphic design, architecture, animation and illustration, etc. Contribute to the university's general education mission through Core arts coursework and participate actively in student mentoring and departmental development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Teach a range of foundational and upper-level studio art and design courses matched to candidate strengths and departmental needs.
• Teach and regularly contribute to the University's Core curriculum through the Introduction to the Arts course, engaging multidisciplinary undergraduate students.
• Clearly articulate and effectively develop the university’s Reformational perspective and mission within the context of teaching, scholarship, and academic service.
• Maintain an active creative practice, exhibition record, or professional design profile consistent with institutional scholarship expectations.
• Participate as a full team member in department and university tasks, including student recruiting and advising, curriculum development and program review, committee assignments, and accreditation processes.
• Collaborate with Dordt University faculty and staff to promote student learning across curricular and co-curricular areas.
• Develop and implement a personal annual contribution and professional development plan consistent with university and departmental goals; use the plan as part of regular self-assessment.
• Participate in the Core program and campus life of Dordt University.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Clear understanding of and personal commitment to a Reformational Christian perspective and the mission of Dordt University.
• Express an active Christian commitment, which shall include affiliation with a local, confessionally Reformed congregation that actively supports the mission of Dordt University.
• Personal endorsement of and commitment to the curricular design set forth in The Educational Task and Framework of Dordt University.
• An M.F.A. in studio art, visual arts, design, or a terminal degree in a related field is preferred.
• Demonstrated breadth in fine arts practices across any media (e.g., painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, or interdisciplinary arts).
• Demonstrated excellence (or potential for excellence) in undergraduate teaching, including innovative instructional design, dynamic studio management, and continuous assessment of student learning.
• Willingness and enthusiasm to teach a Core Introduction to the Arts (or general education art appreciation) course for non-majors.
• Exhibited scholarly and creative activity (or strong potential for an active exhibition/creative production record) developing and communicating insight into contemporary visual art and design.
• Oral and written communication skills and interpersonal abilities that enable effective collaboration with students, faculty and staff, community members, and other professionals.
• Prospective members of the Dordt University community are expected to agree with its confessional standards (The Three Forms of Unity, comprised of the Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and Canons of Dordt), as well as the university’s sexuality, gender identity, and sexual conduct policy, which can be found on the Dordt University website. (Contact the Academic Affairs Office if you need additional information.)

Participating in the educational task of Dordt University is to be understood as a calling. When disciples of Christ hear and accept God’s call to participate in the task of Dordt University, they occupy a variety of offices. Participating in the work of development and sharing insight is not merely an occupation or a means to gain financial security or self-esteem, but a task to which God calls us. When this sense of office consciousness is lost, we lose the essential meaning of our work. Therefore, Dordt University seeks to develop and foster an atmosphere where all office-bearers can flourish in fulfilling the calling of their office (from the Task and Educational Framework of Dordt University found at: https://www.dordt.edu/about-dordt/consumer-information/the-task-and-educational-framework-of-dordt-university