Director of Foundation Studies

Location: Indianapolis

Department: IUPUI Herron School Of Art & Design

Position Announcement:

The Indiana University Herron School of Art and Design at Indianapolis invites applications for the Director of the school's Foundation Studies Program to begin August 2021. The ideal candidate will exhibit exceptional abilities to lead and develop an immersive first-year studio experience that is multi-disciplinary and aligned with contemporary art and design theory and practices. We seek a candidate with an integrative and experimental mindset, broad experience and familiarity with all forms of art and design, as well as a desire to expand and amplify the first-year experience for all our students. The candidate must also possess strong organizational skills with an understanding of assessment methods for foundation-level courses and student performance, and a commitment to collaborative engagement with school and campus colleagues to support an inclusive, diverse and multicultural student population.

Herron School of Art and Design has a strong commitment to cultivating a learning community in which everyone is welcome and valued. The school is currently focused on developing an ever more equitable and inclusive curriculum, on recruiting, supporting and maintaining a diverse and engaged student body, and on mentoring all students, especially those in underserved populations.

Faculty research and creative activities in many forms are valued and supported. Professional publications, exhibitions, conference presentations, and community engagement activities are valued in the tenure and promotion process. School, campus, and university grants support the faculty's professional research and creative activities.

Herron School of Art and Design and Indiana University are committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices. We seek excellent candidates with a demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of diverse communities and related pedagogic approaches. Diversity is highly valued at IUPUI including a broad range of ability, age, gender, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic and academic experience, and veteran status. The successful candidate will have demonstrated an overall commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity including the ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

FOUNDATION STUDIES PROGRAM PROFILE
Herron's 20-credit Foundation Studies Program is part of the first-year experience and aspires to be a year-long creative adventure focused on providing first-year students with a comprehensive and immersive educational experience that emphasizes experimentation, problem solving, critical thinking, idea generation, and a wide array of digital and hand (making) skills. The program builds confidence while introducing students to contemporary creative fields as they begin developing an individual voice while fostering critical engagement within social and cultural contexts. The ideal candidate will serve as a partner to Herron's Coordinator of First-Year Experience programming, collaborating on curriculum for the first-year seminar and participating in first-year experience efforts such as Bridge Week.

RESPONSIBILITIES
●Direct the Foundation Studies program and provide creative leadership in collaboration with faculty and school administration: evaluate foundations faculty, oversee department budget and scheduling,
●Support efforts to hire adjunct Foundations faculty and oversee their mentoring and review.
●Teach twelve credit hours per academic year (2/2)
●Collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and administration in curriculum and program development including a close working relationship with the admissions coordinator and advisors
●Participate in Herron's recruitment and retention activities/events
●Maintain professional/research activities to advance through the promotion and tenure processes.
●Foster relationships with professional organizations such as FATE, and other relevant opportunities
●Serve on school and university committees
●The Director will also partner with Herron's Coordinator of First-Year Experience (FYE) programming on curriculum development and integration with campus FYE efforts.

Basic Qualifications:

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT
MFA degree in Studio Art, Design, or related field

QUALIFICATIONS
●Three (3) to five (5) years post-graduate teaching experience with emphasis in foundations studies with demonstrated expertise in art and design principles.
●Experience and demonstrated approach to creative, collegial and effective leadership and program administration.
●Knowledge of and commitment to contemporary foundations-level pedagogy
●Demonstrated expertise and ability in curriculum building and teaching in the areas of foundation studies, fine arts, and design.
●Knowledge of practices and theoretical frameworks pertinent to contemporary art and design
●Evidence of exemplary student engagement and advanced pedagogical strategies through student work, project examples, and faculty mentorship, etc

INTERESTED APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT:
●Letter of application
●Current curriculum vitae
●Twenty images of personal work and twenty images of student work. Digital portfolios only: please note that images must be compiled in a single PDF file. Image information should be included in the portfolio: a caption for each individual image is preferred — a separate image list of personal and student work with thumbnails is also acceptable. (listed as