FULL-TIME VISITING FACULTY POSITION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FIBER AND MATERIAL STUDIES

The Department of Fiber and Material Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) invites applications for a two-year visiting faculty position, beginning August 2022.

DEPARTMENT PROFILE
The Department of Fiber and Material Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the largest and most renowned contemporary fiber art programs in the world. Our curriculum emphasizes fiber and textiles within a contemporary art context, supported by current discourses within and beyond the field. Students study a vast range of 2D and 3D woven, surface, constructed, and stitch techniques, and our students often work in conjunction with sculptural, installation, photography, video, and performance media, as well as with critical and creative writing.

The department typically has over 750 undergraduate enrollments in 60+ courses each academic year, with a graduate cohort of 20 MFA students from across the US and internationally.

Our students are encouraged to push boundaries and embrace interdisciplinarity as appropriate to their practices and interests; some students maintain a dedicated focus in fiber while others experiment across other disciplines and areas of the School. Many of our students are especially interested in creative practices and discourses that center critical race, decolonial, queer, trans, nonbinary, and disability justice frameworks.

The department’s expansive and well-equipped studios feature analog and digital equipment, and students engage in thinking and working with hand processes while incorporating digital technologies and computer-assisted approaches to making.

Offering over 10 classes per year, our dedicated weaving area occupies 2500 square feet and features three TC-2 digital jacquard looms, a dobby loom, approximately 35 (4-16 harness) floor looms, tapestry looms, back strap looms, and tabletop looms.

Further information about the department can be found at: https://www.saic.edu/academics/departments/fiber-and-material-studies

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Full-Time visiting artist in the Department of Fiber and Material Studies will teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students within the interdisciplinary art and design school environment of SAIC.

The successful candidate will teach primarily in the weaving area, with the possibility of teaching Intro to Fiber and Material Studies (Intro FMS), Graduate Projects, or other classes within their sphere of expertise. There may also be opportunities to develop elective offerings, at either the undergraduate or graduate level.

The full-time visiting artist will be expected to:

• Effectively teach weaving on the floor looms, TC-2 digital jacquard loom, and tapestry and/or backstrap looms;
• Effectively teach multi-level weaving courses that include both beginner and advanced students at the undergraduate and graduate level.
• Meet with Fiber and Material Studies staff and weaving faculty to discuss facility needs 2-4 times each academic year
• As necessary, supervise and work closely with the graduate Jacquard Assistant.

The full-time visiting artist will be located full time in Chicago from late August 2022 through May 2024 and will maintain an active presence on campus.

Qualifications
An MFA in fiber or textiles or a terminal degree in another relevant studio discipline is required. Teaching experience beyond the level of teaching assistantships is preferred. The ideal candidate will be well-versed in a broad range of weaving techniques and be able to teach both technical and conceptual skills; be well-versed in contemporary discourses on weaving; and be able to locate contemporary weaving within more expansive and diverse global and decolonial histories. Preference will be given to candidates who can teach floor loom and jacquard weaving at the intermediate and advanced levels.

We seek candidates with the experience, knowledge and aptitude to teach and mentor students from diverse backgrounds who can contribute to the diversity of the School by bringing a perspective, way of thinking, and/or a unique set of experiences that expand conversations and practices in the field.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
On or before Wednesday, July 6, 2022, please submit application materials via http://SAICfaculty.slideroom.com. You will be asked to create an account after which time you may complete the application composed of fill-in fields and uploaded documents. You are encouraged to begin the application well before the deadline. No applications may be submitted beyond the deadline for any reason.

Complete the fields for: educational background; current position; and contact information for three professional references.

Please convert all word documents into PDFs before uploading.

Required files to upload include

• cover letter stating your interests and qualifications
• resume or curriculum vitae
• artist statement or statement of research and practice
• documentation of professional work
• separate documentation of students’ work (if available)
• a list of your weaving skills and level (beginner, intermediate, expert). Please include technical knowledge of each weaving area: backstrap/card/tapestry, floor loom (4-16 harness), dobby, TC-2 digital jacquard
• statement of teaching philosophy that emphasizes your approach to teaching weaving, including your thoughts on teaching a diverse student population and creating an inclusive learning environment
• two or more examples of course syllabi

QUESTIONS
Questions about this position, application procedures, or the search process may be emailed to saicteach@saic.edu. Please consult www.saic.edu for information on the School and its programs.

ABOUT SAIC
A leader in educating artists, designers, and scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs to students from across the globe. Located in the heart of Chicago, the School is one of the largest and oldest private schools of art and design in the country with programs reflecting current practices in art. SAIC’s educational philosophy is built upon a transdisciplinary approach to art and design that provides unparalleled opportunities for students to develop their creative and critical abilities with renowned faculty who are leading practitioners in their fields. SAIC’s resources include the Art
Institute of Chicago and its Modern Wing, and numerous special collections and programming venues that provide students with exceptional exhibitions, screenings, lectures, and performances. The campus is located on Chicago’s magnificent lakefront amid the city’s cultural and architectural treasures.

Degree tracks include the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Studio; BFA with Emphasis in Art Education or Writing; BA degrees in Art History and Visual and Critical Studies; Master of Architecture; Master of Design (MDes) in Designed Objects; MDes in Fashion, Body, and Garment; MFA in Studio or Writing; MA degrees in Arts Administration; Art Education; Art History, Theory, and Criticism; Art Therapy; New Arts Journalism; Teaching; Visual and Critical Studies; and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Art Institute of Chicago, including both the school and the museum, is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for its students, visitors, faculty, and staff, and to ensuring that educational and employment decisions are based on an individual’s abilities and qualifications. The Art Institute of Chicago does not tolerate unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or former military status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, in its programs and activities, public accommodations or employment practices.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Title IX Coordinator
Robert Babcock, 116 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60603, rbabco@artic.edu.

Section 504 Coordinator
Felice Dublon, PhD, Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, The Office of Student Affairs, 36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1204, Chicago, IL 60603, 312.629.6800, fdublon@saic.edu.

For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, see the Office for Civil Rights Discrimination for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 800.421.3481.

REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS
SAIC provides reasonable accommodations during the interview process for candidates with disabilities in adherence with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Should you need an accommodation to participate in an interview, please contact Molly Roth Scranton, Associate Director of Faculty Affairs, at mscranton@saic.edu.