Assistant Professor of Practice - Digital Narrative Arts

39667BR

School of Art

Position Description

The School of Art in the J.T & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, Assistant Professor of Practice to begin August 19th, 2025.

The position is part of the newly formed Digital Narrative Arts (DNA) emphasis area within the Studio Arts BFA major (previously Transmedia and Photography). The ideal candidate will be able to teach topics in 2d animation, story development, video production, intro to digital art, etc., focusing on helping students create portfolios relevant to studio arts and various industry-related contexts. Our program seeks to interweave existing strengths in traditional studio media with expanded offerings in technology-driven fields.

About the University

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.
About Lubbock:Referred to as the "Hub City" because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock's Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.

About the College

The J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts is comprised of the School of Art, the School of Music, and the School of Theatre & Dance, accredited by NASAD, NASM, NAST, and NASD, respectively. TTU is the only public university in the state accredited in all four arts areas, and boasts many acclaimed alumni, including Susan Graham, Terry Cook, Ann Sanders, G.W. Bailey, Barry Corbin, Jennifer Smith, Scott Dadich, Susanne Klotz, Ken Little and D.J. Stout. With more than 120 faculty members and approximately 1,100 students, the College oers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including the terminal M.F.A., D.M.A., and Ph.D. degrees. Our unique Ph.D. program in Fine Arts provides interdisciplinary education in the visual & performing arts combined with philosophical aesthetics. For more information, visit: www.vpa.ttu.edu.

About the Department/School/Area

The School of Art is NASAD accredited and offers the BA in Art History, BA in Art, the BFA in Studio Art, Graphic Design, and Visual Studies (teacher certification), the MAE, the MFA in Studio Art, MA in Art History, and the Ph.D. in Fine Arts with a major in Art. A faculty of 31 full-time professors serves approximately 250 undergraduate students and 60 students involved in graduate study. The school has many prominent alumni. Technical and administrative support includes a total of 10 staff positions. The School's Visual Resource Center maintains art reference books, current art periodicals, instructional media, digital classrooms, and a legacy slide collection, as well as an expanding collection of digital images for teaching and research. Additional images are available through ARTStor and online at the university library. The program also supports the Landmark Arts Galleries and the Standing Room Only Photography Gallery (SRO). For more information visit: www.art.ttu.edu.

Major/Essential Functions

At Texas Tech University, the Assistant Professor of Practice title is used to recruit individuals with exceptional backgrounds and achievements in academic, business, government, or other professional practice. Primary responsibilities normally will be to teach in an area of expertise, mentor students in professional and career preparation, and liaise with professional contacts and entities on behalf of the department or program.

In line with TTU's strategic priorities to engage and empower a diverse student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with diverse student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service.

As a faculty member in the School of Art, you will be expected to:

1. Teach assigned undergraduate courses at all levels within the Digital Narrative Arts (DNA) emphasis area curriculum, typically three courses per semester;
2. Coordinate sections of ART 2309: Technology in the Arts by managing classroom scheduling, curriculum, faculty assignments, and supplies, and holding regular meetings with faculty and graduate Teaching Assistants;
3. Mentor students in the DNA emphasis area;
4. Perform service activities, including attendance of School meetings;
5. Work with the lead faculty of the DNA emphasis to maintain lab spaces and oversee equipment check-out procedures for students.

Organization

Texas Tech University

Faculty Qualifications

1. MFA in Studio Art, Master's degree in a visual art discipline, or BFA plus a minimum of 18 credits hours of graduate coursework in a visual art discipline.
2. Experience teaching digital media courses, such as 2D animation, story development for animation, introduction to video, and introduction to digital art, or comparable.
3. Strong portfolio illustrating expertise in the field of digital art and animation.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

1. Strong focus in 2d animation.
2. Evidence of active creative practice in industry (e.g., animation, film) and/or academic creative contexts.
3. Experience teaching at the college level.

Duty Point

TTU Lubbock, main campus and affiliated facilities

Safety Information

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Does this position work in a research laboratory?

No

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please include the following documents in your application:

1. Curriculum Vitae.
2. Cover Letter.
3. Portfolio with 10-20 examples of relevant work.
4. List of three references with contact information for each.

Job Type

Full Time

Pay Basis

Monthly

Pay Statement

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan. For additional information, please reference the institutional pay plan by visiting www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/payplan.

Travel Required

Up to 25%

Schedule Details

Mon-Fri 8:00am to 5:00 pm or as classes are scheduled.

Grant Funded?

No

Job Group

NonTenure track

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.

Salary Grade

800

Applications must be received by

01/31/2025