Adjunct Faculty of Ceramics
Maine College of Art & Design

Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) invites applications for Adjunct Faculty in Ceramics with an immediate need for Fall 2023. All applicants will join the adjunct pool for future needs.

Maine College of Art & Design

Located at the center of one of America's fastest-growing art and design communities, Maine College of Art & Design brings together makers, educators, and leaders to enrich the evolving culture of the state and region. The College is a cornerstone of Downtown Portland, a diverse and vibrant waterfront city in a state that has inspired artists for hundreds of years. MECA&D's history as a longstanding cultural institution in New England speaks to the College's commitment to the value of creativity and the universality of artistic expression. New additions to the College's programs include the Bob Crewe Program in Art and Music, a minor in Sustainable Ecosystems in Art and Design, the nationally known Salt Institute of Documentary Studies, and a BFA in Animation and Game Art, all of which complement MECA&D's long-running Public Engagement program. In the summer of 2020, Maine College of Art & Design completed a key component of its new strategic plan by incorporating a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion position. This position works with Indigo Arts Alliance, a local non-profit organization committed to the artistic development of people of African descent. It helps the college fulfill its strategic goal to "Develop a Culture of Social Justice, Racial Equity, and Inclusion."

Maine College of Art & Design seeks Adjunct Faculty to carry these values through its Ceramic Program.

POSITION SUMMARY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Maine College of Art and Design is currently accepting applications for a part-time faculty member in Ceramics in the Ceramics department. We seek an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher who exhibits a high degree of professionalism, a strong commitment to students, and demonstrates the ability to motivate and educate engagingly. Positions are contingent upon need each semester as determined by student enrollment levels, current course offerings, and demand driven by graduation requirements. Candidates selected for these positions will report to the Ceramic Program Chair.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Teach one or more courses in Ceramics per semester.
  Teach on schedules that may include daytime and evening.
  Follow guidelines from the Department Chair to ensure consistent content coverage and student experience across multiple course sections.
  Administer, grade, and provide feedback promptly to monitor student mastery and progress through a course.
  Meet established deadlines to submit student mid-term and final course grades.
  Maintain accurate class attendance records.
  Conduct assigned classes in the area of employment per the catalog description, the course syllabi, and the stipulations of the College.
  Must be reasonably accessible to students for course consultation and feedback through one-on-one or group meetings and/or e-mail.
  When possible, participate professionally in department, section, and college meetings.
  Observe, support, and enforce the regulations, policies, and programs of the Department and College.
  Foster a positive working environment free from harassment, prejudice, and/or bias.

Individualized attention and effective teaching are hallmarks of a MECA&D education; therefore, a palpable engagement in pedagogy with a focus on continually improving the learning environment is required.

QUALIFICATIONS

An MFA in Ceramics is preferred, but a BFA with relevant experience will be considered. To fulfill the criteria of the immediate course in Fall 2023, the candidate must have experience in Wheel Throwing and be well-versed in the technical, formal, and conceptual consideration of the vessel and related ceramic processes. For the Adjunct Pool, candidates must have an in-depth knowledge of the broad technical, historical, and conceptual modes related to the ceramic field. All applicants must reside in, or be able to commute to, Portland, Maine, to deliver in-person instruction.

Preferred Qualifications Include:

• An MFA is strongly preferred.
  Demonstrate excellence in undergraduate teaching with knowledge of historical traditions and current trends in Ceramics.
  A high level of skill in wheel throwing and hand-building techniques.
  The ability and desire to teach across a range of undergraduate Ceramic courses.
  Demonstrated skill in effective written and oral communication.
  Skilled in technically and conceptually critiquing art, able to challenge and encourage students to become better artists through critique and conversation.

• Experience working with students of culturally and socially diverse backgrounds.

BENEFITS

This position is not benefits-eligible.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Please send a PDF of a current CV and portfolio of professional work to employment@meca.edu

DIVERSITY

Maine College of Art & Design recognizes that diversity is integral to the academic experience and strives to foster an inclusive culture defined by respect, equity, and social responsibility. Successful candidates will have experience working with diverse populations and supporting an inclusive and equitable community. Maine College of Art & Design does not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, HIV status, race, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, or military/veteran status in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment policies, financial aid, or other College administered programs. Candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

INSTITUTION

Maine College of Art & Design is an independent college of art and design located in the center of the thriving arts district of Portland, Maine. Established in 1882, the College currently enrolls approximately 500 students, most of whom are in the undergraduate program. About 1,000 students take classes through MECA&D's Continuing Studies Program annually. MECA&D's Joanne Waxman Library is an important resource of art­ and design ­oriented books and periodicals for the region. The Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D is a vibrant site for contemporary art exhibition.

MECA&D is characterized by its intimate learning community, interdisciplinary nature, and the breadth of its programs. It confers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in eleven majors, Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art, Master of Arts in Teaching, and the Salt Graduate Certificate in Documentary Studies. Maine College of Art & Design is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The College's accreditation status with both agencies was renewed in 2016.