Job Description

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 master?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 State?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 ?where 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 Equity 2030 goal of the system, with initiatives to close disparities among student groups that focus on academic programs, policies and procedures, and effective student support. In addition, equity and anti-racism strategies are focused on building an inclusive and welcoming campus climate, hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, and developing our capacity to serve students in a culturally responsive manner. The university is finalizing a new strategic plan, with the draft goal of enhancing its legacy of student success by becoming the region?s premier institution for high-quality, accessible, and equitable education, promoting social mobility and community engagement.

Visit the Metro State University website to learn more about the university, our programs, and our students. Learn more about Minnesota State Colleges and Universities at their website .

Description of College/School/Unit: The College of Liberal Arts , located in St. Paul, MN, consists of programs in humanities, social sciences, communications, and the arts. These fields constitute the beating heart of a university education and of a society committed to socially equitable progress. Liberal Arts degrees prepare students for success and understanding in professional, social, and personal pursuits. The exceptional curricula and caring faculty bring fresh perspectives and expertise into the classroom on a wide variety of topics and socially relevant competencies. Learn more on the College of Liberal Arts webpage. The college includes the following departments: Ethnic, Gender, Historical, and Philosophical Studies; Fine Arts; Professional Communication; Social Science; Technical Communication and Interaction Design; and Writing, Literature, and Language. The college includes 41 full-time faculty, 107 part-time faculty, and 6 staff who serve over 900 majors/pre-majors as well as the majority of the University?s students through general education courses.

The School/Academic Department: Artists can shape humanity. Studying the Fine Arts broadens a student?s opportunity to cultivate their creativity within a diverse urban environment. Metro State offers accessible bachelor?s degrees in Screenwriting, Studio Arts, and Theater. Metro?s Interdisciplinary curriculum also includes digital arts, media and film production.

Our faculty are award-winning working artists and scholars. The Fine Arts Department promotes campus and community events such as gallery exhibits, artist talks, film screenings, music performances and theater productions of established playwrights as well as original student work. Our student?s voices are seen and heard.

The Gordon Parks Gallery ascribes to a multi-faceted mission: to support the arts curriculum and cultural activities of Metropolitan State University and to preserve the legacy of the 20th century multi-media artist Gordon Parks. The gallery is dedicated to showing the work of various subjects, media, forms and content by diverse artists, including emerging and established artists of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Please note: Filling of this position is dependent upon budget.

For campus safety information and crime statistics visit:

Salary: Salary is commensurate with education and experience and is determined by the salary placement process as outlined in the Inter Faculty Organization (IFO) Master Agreement.

Employment for this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement for the Inter Faculty Organization (IFO) which can be found at on the Minnesota State Employee and Labor Relations website .

For the most current information on the Inter Faculty Organization, go to

Application: To apply, go to

*To comply with privacy and data practices requirements, please refrain from including personal information or photographs in your application materials.

Applications must be received by 12:01 AM on Closing Date: January 15, 2025

Qualified applicants are required to attach the following documents to their online application:

• Cover letter of interest addressing your qualifications for the position;
• Current curriculum vita or resume;
• A statement of your teaching philosophy and examples of teaching effectiveness, particularly as it relates to equity and anti-racist pedagogy (limit 2 pages);
• A Microsoft Word or PDF document containing three links to examples of curatorial work/exhibitions.
• One example of professional writing (i.e. curatorial statement, published article, or excerpt from published book).
• Names of four (4) references with addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers; at least two (2) of the references must be able to address teaching effectiveness; and curatorial experience
• Transcripts - Valid unofficial copies of your transcript showing conferred/awarded date of your highest attained degree, with your name and the academic institution?s name/logo are required. If doctoral study is in progress at the time of application, submit the most recent transcript showing your course of study and progress to date. We are not able to accept copy/paste word documents with a list of courses/grades. If selected for hire, official original transcripts will be required.
• Additional materials may be requested at a later date.

If you have other questions related to this job announcement, please contact Human Resources at 651.793.1275 or email at hrrecruiting@metrostate.edu

For TTY, call Minnesota Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-627-3529.

Metro State University is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

The university provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

About Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State University offers over 60 baccalaureate majors, 10 master?s degrees, and 2 doctoral programs. Founded in 1971, the university is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and is the only state university in the Twin Cities. It is a comprehensive urban university committed to meeting the higher education needs of those who live and work in the 13 county metropolitan area.With a strong tradition of individualized educational programs, we are fully committed to high-quality, affordable education for working adults. Faculty, staff and more than 11,000 full- and part-time students reflect the area?s rich diversity, provide a highly student-centered environment and demonstrate unwavering commitment to civic engagement.

Connections working at Metropolitan State University

Job Tags

Full time, Part time, Internship, Local area, Remote job, Shift work,

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