Assistant Professor, Game Art, Tenure Track at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Job Description:

Major Responsibilities:

• Teach up to three courses per Fall and Spring semesters at all undergraduate levels in the Foundation Art and Kinetic Imaging areas.
• Teach courses in Game Art that include diverse perspectives of 3D modeling, 3D animation, and approaches to game art, theory, and design.
• Knowledgeable of game engines including, but not limited to, Unity and/or Unreal Engine is preferred.
• Collaboration across mediums is encouraged.
• Teach with fluency in theoretical and historical aspects of experimental game art.
• Interface curriculum with The Virtual Imaging Technology Lab at integral points.
• Make connections across the Kinetic Imaging curriculum, fostering an interdisciplinary studio practice.
• Maintain an active research record and participate in contractually appropriate service to the institution, which includes candidates vision towards the development of the game art track.

Required Qualifications:

• Master of Fine Arts degree or Doctoral Degree or international equivalent
• At least one year of college-level teaching experience with an emphasis in related media
• Vibrant professional exhibition record commensurate with years of experience in the field
• Evidence of creative, professional, and curricular accomplishment in animation, game art or related media

Desired Qualifications:

• Skills in additional areas of Kinetic Imaging, including sound art, VR/AR, illustration or animation
• A comprehensive knowledge of appropriate hardware and software
• Experience with curriculum design and planning
• Knowledge and commitment to health and safety in the arts
• Proven track record of working well with people from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Ability to develop and nurture individual student artistic and professional abilities
• A strong commitment to self-learning to maintain or develop new technical expertise as required by changes to contemporary art and design practice

The Program: The Kinetic Imaging program welcomed the first class of students in fall 2022. The FSoA Kinetic Imaging area provides students with artistic and professional skills to succeed in their careers as artists and designers. The Kinetic Imaging curriculum introduces students to essential proficiencies in all facets of professional practice within animation, game art, and/or video art.

The Kinetic Imaging component of the FSoA curriculum introduces students to the process of thinking and working with time-based media related tools in support of art and design practice, while initiating dialog into issues of aesthetic storytelling and diverse contemporary topics. It challenges students to think critically about their work and the work of others, and to articulate informed ideas in order to advance understanding of a broad variety of methodologies, including contemporary and emerging technologies.

The School: The Gwen Frostic School of Art is one of four units in the College of Fine Arts and is comprised of 300 undergraduate art majors, 21 full-time faculty, 15-20 part-time faculty, and seven staff. The School is NASAD accredited and offers BAs in Art and Art History; BFAs in Art Education and Graphic Design; BFAs with emphasis in Ceramics, Metals/Jewelry, Painting, Photography, Printmedia, and Sculpture. The School encompasses 40,000 sq. ft. of galleries, lecture halls, classrooms, design and art studios in the James W. and Lois I. Richmond Center for Visual Arts, and an additional 88,000 sq. ft. of classrooms and art studios in South Kohrman Hall.

The Virtual Imaging Technology Lab is WMU's newly renovated 3,000+ sq foot space in the College of Fine Arts, which houses an incredible array of virtual and immersive imaging and entertainment technologies. Highlighted by the stunning 28x10 LED Wall, the facility is outfitted with high-end graphics computers, professional video cameras, lighting and sound equipment, optical and suit-based motion capture systems, streaming technology and virtual and augmented reality hardware. In addition to main studio space, VITAL is also home to a dedicated podcasting room, offices, and a small computer lab. Combining this variety and quality of technology under one roof will allow designers, researchers, artists and creators to collaborate and explore their unique visions.

The College: The College of Fine Arts (CFA) consists of the Gwen Frostic School of Art, Department of Dance, School of Music, School of Theatre and Dance, and the Richmond Institute for Design and Innovation which houses the Product Design and Interior Architecture and Design programs. All units in the College are nationally accredited. Facilities for the learning and practice of the arts at WMU are exceptional and compare favorably with other schools nationally with similar mission and scope. With a student body of about 1300, the CFA entering class regularly has the highest academic profile of any college.

The College of Fine Arts is housed in Dalton Center, Richmond Center for Visual Arts, and South and Central Kohrman Hall, Dunbar Hall, and the Gilmore Theatre Complex surrounding Fountain Plaza. Students perform in three theatres, a 400-seat recital hall, three professional art galleries, and dance performance studios mounting over 400 performances annually. New technology-based curricula, a motion capture and virtual imaging technology lab, specialized computer labs, and other discipline specific laboratories. State-of-the-art facilities host exhibitions of student, faculty, and visiting artist works.

The University: Western Michigan University is a learner-centered, discovery-driven, and globally engaged public university that stands out among Americas more than 4,000 higher education institutions. Founded in 1903, WMU has grown to become a major national research university enrolling more than 16,000 students from across the United States and 100 other countries. Based in Kalamazoo, WMU is a friendly, top-rated college town situated close to large urban centers, great jobs, and abundant recreational areas. WMU delivers high-quality undergraduate instruction, has a strong graduate division, and fosters significant research activities. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has placed WMU among the 76 public R2 institutions in the nation designated as a doctoral university with higher research activities.

Kalamazoo: Western Michigan University is located in the arts-friendly community ofKalamazoo, Michigan, a metropolitan area of 250,000 located halfway between Chicago and Detroit. The community is enriched by the "Kalamazoo Promise", an endowment program that provides each Kalamazoo Public School graduate with the opportunity to attend post-secondary education with up to a 100% tuition scholarship.

Salary: Dependent upon experience, with an excellent benefits package.

Expected Start Date: August 2025

Application Deadline: The review of complete applications is in progress and will continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, application materials must be received by January 3, 2025.

Required application documents in a single pdf to include the following:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Three references
• A link to your professional website
• 20 samples of professional work*
• 20 samples of student work*

*Both professional and student samples should be provided with titles, dates, descriptions, and links for each sample.

If you have problems uploading your complete portfolio, please contact Human Resources at (269) 387-3620.

WMU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities and all other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

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