The Art Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison welcomes applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professorship in Art Metals. The position will begin August 18, 2025. The position offers the opportunity to teach in a well-established and well-equipped program at a major research university. The successful candidate should be a practicing artist who will contribute to the intellectual and academic life of the Art Department through research, teaching, and service. The position requires undergraduate and graduate teaching in a program that integrates comprehensive technical training with a rigorous critical approach. In addition, there is ample opportunity to engage in discourse across disciplines with all graduate students in the department. The teaching load is generally three classes per semester (two undergraduate and one graduate) at every level of metalsmithing and jewelry arts; including introductory, intermediate/advanced, and graduate level courses; in addition to service on M.F.A. and M.A. committees. The department is a strong and devoted community of practicing artists with a commitment to its students and a spirit of collegiality. The desire and ability to interface with all areas of the Art Department and its 29 faculty members is a significant facet of the position. The position also offers the opportunity to work with the Kohler Art Library artists book collection.
Responsibilities:
- Semesterly undergraduate teaching load consists of 2 undergraduate classes: Art Department classes include B.A. and B.F.A. students as well as Non-Majors and Certificate students.
- Semesterly graduate teaching load consists of one of the following: independent study section; interdisciplinary group critique; graduate seminar.
- Serve on graduate committees with M.F.A. candidates and advise and mentor graduate students within an interdisciplinary Art Department.
- Provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance to students.
- Demonstrate an active commitment to the continued growth and development of the undergraduate and graduate programs and communities.
- Work collegially in a 3D area that currently consists of 5 faculty members to maintain and supervise all aspects of the 3D area within a large and vibrant Art Department.
- Build and maintain a studio practice at a nationally recognized level that will meet tenure expectations at a major research institution.
- Participate in service activities at local, state, and national levels and within the university.
- Meet department and university teaching, research, and service expectations.
- Seek extramural funds to support research and creative activity when possible.
Courses might include Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced Art Metals, including pewter smithing, hollowware, enameling, Utensils; Concepts and Practices and Fabrication
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Required Terminal Degree MFA in Art Metals or related field.
Qualifications:
The University of Wisconsin-Madison seeks an artist who is passionate about the evolution and future of Art Metals and has a deep understanding of the field's traditions. Applicants should have an interdisciplinary research mindset, possess a strong background in Art Metals methodology, and be able to speak to contemporary arts practice across genres. The ideal candidate for this position will be an innovative artist-educator with a distinguished exhibition record, at least two years of teaching experience at the university or college level, and strong collaborative, communication, and leadership skills. Candidates must hold an M.F.A. degree or have equivalent professional experience. Applications are welcome from emerging artists and educators as well as those already well established in the academic community. Candidates who have recently obtained their M.F.A. degrees should have ongoing research and creative work reflected in exhibitions and/or publications as well as presentation skills that indicate potential for excellence in teaching. The ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary Art department and experience working with diverse populations are required and vital aspects of this position.
Demonstrated proficiency in a wide range of metalsmithing and jewelry techniques is essential, and expertise in hollowware is considered especially desirable, although optional. Knowledge of machine, tool, and studio maintenance and organization, and excellent verbal, written, and digital skills are necessary. We are looking for candidates who can provide evidence of their teaching abilities at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%
It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Ongoing/Renewable
Anticipated Begin Date:
AUGUST 18, 2025
Salary:
Minimum $85,000 ACADEMIC (9 months) Depending on Qualifications
Additional Information:
The Art Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is nationally ranked among the Top 15 in Overall Fine Arts Programs by U.S. News and World Report. The current student population for the department is 1,700 undergraduates, 51 graduate students, and 250 certificate students. The Art Department is committed to excellence in teaching in the context of a major research university and a vibrant intellectual community. Its mission is based on the premise that art is the nexus of all the humanities and that creative expression in the visual arts has provided some of the most enduring contributions to society and culture. The Art Department strives to provide both a fertile and challenging environment for aesthetic and critical engagement and the technical skills necessary for the practice of art in the changing landscape of the twenty-first century. It encourages innovation and cross-disciplinary activity and believes that students should utilize the vast academic resources of the university to inform and deepen their artistic vision.
The Art Metals program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the oldest and most respected programs in the country, ranked No. 3 nationally. The program challenges its students to conduct material investigations, develop relevant skills and techniques, and grasp the historical and cultural significance of metalsmithing and jewelry design in the context of contemporary art. Students are encouraged to achieve technical proficiency in their medium while also engaging in socially significant research and creative investigation. The program focuses on fostering analytical and critical thinking, promoting historical responsibility, and developing theoretical awareness through seminar-style classes with the faculty.
Our Metals Labs are equipped with a wide range of tools, including torches, annealing booths, a centrifugal casting machine, an oxygen-free vacuum casting machine, enameling kilns, a gas forge, manual and electric rolling mills, a sandblaster, band and jig saws, lathes, milling machines, drill presses, a polishing room, spray-etchers, a forming room with hundreds of stakes and hammers, and more. Metals Labs are supported by a full-time Technician.
The Art Department is part of the UW-Madison School of Education, which is regularly ranked as one of the top Schools of Education in the nation. The School is proud of the outstanding breadth of its programs, with departments in Education, Health and the Arts. The School views this broad range of programs as a tremendous strength.
The UW-Madison School of Education is committed to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, learning, research and service by supporting and maintaining inclusive working and learning environments where all can flourish, and where the unique contributions of students, faculty, and staff from a broad range of perspectives, backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures are valued.
How to Apply:
Please apply through jobs.wisc.edu portal. The application should include:
- A letter of application addressing your vision of a contemporary undergraduate and graduate metals program alongside your teaching philosophy.
- A curriculum vita.
- A sample syllabus for an introductory, intermediate, or advanced metals class
- An artist's statement
- Documentation of artwork: submit up to 20 images.
- Documentation of student artwork: submit up to 20 images with assignment descriptions where applicable.
- Names/email addresses/telephone numbers of 3 references (no recommendation letters).
To receive full consideration, applications must be received by November 7, 2024. The position will remain open until filled
Employment will require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. To be considered, applicants must upload a signed 'Authorization to Release Information' form as part of the application. The authorization form and a definition of 'misconduct' can be found here: https://hr.wisc.edu/institutional-reference-check/
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison has been a catalyst for the extraordinary since its founding in 1848. Our students, staff, and faculty partake in world-class education and conduct prolific research that solves real-world problems. Our guiding principle is the Wisconsin Idea, a commitment to outreach that creates a better future for our state, our nation, and the world. We value the contributions of each person and recognize that diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation.