Job Information
University of Maine System Part-Time Faculty - Art Department, Spring 2025 in Portland, Maine
The University of Southern Maine’s Art Department is seeking applicants is seeking part-time instructor applicants to teach courses in 2D Foundations, Drawing, and Painting for our spring semester, beginning January 21, 2025.
Courses to be taught include:
Surface, Space, Time (2D) (ART 141) - Provides an introduction to the fundamentals of 2-D design and color theory through a series of exercises and applied problems in visual organization.
Fundamentals of Perceptual Drawing (ART 151) - Introduction to basic skills and approaches to perceptual drawing. This course develops students’ visual awareness and understanding of the range of drawing materials and techniques. Students will develop responses to the visual environment employing varied stylistic and technical approaches. Exercises include still life, figure study, portrait, and landscape.
Drawing: Media and Strategies (ART 251) - Course explores various drawing processes combining media, color and colored grounds and supports to expand students’ conceptual image-making skills. Emphasis will be placed on the role of subject matter and imagery through projects and through examination of historical and contemporary art.
Introduction to Painting (ART 261) - Students will gain a working knowledge of the materials and techniques of painting, its various supports, grounds, and pigments. Work is primarily from observation and will include still life, figure, and landscape. Studies will focus on physical properties of color and color mixing, principles and concepts of spatial organization, and pictorial form.
Advanced Painting and Drawing (ART 461) - This course for advanced drawing and painting students encourages individual vision and a committed approach to making art. Thematic projects are developed by each student and the course is devoted to expanding expressive, conceptual, and technical abilities. A reflective writing component will accompany the course.
We are seeking a student-focused instructor who will:
Teach foundational and advanced courses in 2D design, drawing, and painting.
Introduce students to traditional and contemporary concepts, techniques, and practices in drawing and painting.
Foster a positive, inclusive, and dynamic learning environment for beginning through advanced art students.
Support students’ creative and technical development across disciplines.
Responsibilities include developing the course, teaching, assessing student performance, and meeting with students as needed. The instructor will be provided with the course syllabus, learning objectives, program competencies, and curriculum materials from last year's instruction, which may be used as needed.
The Art Department (https://usm.maine.edu/department-art/) at the University of Southern Maine (USM) offers a nationally accredited program that provides students with a rigorous studio experience, historical understanding of the complexity of art practices, and the critical skills needed to become informed visual artists, art educators, and art historians. Through the closely integrated relationship of studio art classes, art education, and art history, USM Art emphasizes the development of the ability to think creatively and independently and provide multifaceted approaches for creating and thinking about art.
Part-time faculty members are paid on a credit hour basis based on prior teaching experience. In addition, USM employees can use their USM Card to access the library, Cigna Employee Assistance Plan, and fitness center(s). USM also offers part-time faculty the opportunity for development frequently through our Center for Collaboration and Development (CCD) and the chance to get an online teaching certification and training through CTEL, in addition to other developmental opportunities open to all staff throughout the year.
The University of Southern Maine (https://usm.maine.edu/) is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond.
USM is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society. To learn more about USM, visit About Our University (https://usm.maine.edu/about-our-university/) .
The University of Southern Maine embraces an inclusive campus community that values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development, and institutional success. The Office of Equity, Inclusion and Community Impact (https://usm.maine.edu/equity-inclusion-community-impact/) supports USM's DEIA- and Community Impact-focused departments, committees, groups, projects, training, and events. USM encourages women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and people from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds to apply.
We are dedicated to our Service Promise, Student Focused Every Day and seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.
Required Qualifications:
An MFA or equivalent terminal degree in Studio Art or a closely related field.
Knowledge and expertise in painting and drawing concepts, tools, and processes.
A commitment to foundational pedagogy and inclusive teaching practices.
An active professional creative practice.
Preferred Qualifications:
At least three years of experience teaching painting and drawing at the university level.
Familiarity with contemporary issues in painting and drawing.
The ability to address work across disciplines and styles.
To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below or visit our USM Careers Page and submit the following:
Cover Letter
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Finalist candidates will be asked to provide a list of the names and contact information for references.
We will begin reviewing applications immediately. These positions will remain open until filled.
We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.
Appropriate background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.
Clery Act:
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report (ASR), and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. View the University’s Annual Security Report (PDF) (https://usm.maine.edu/public-safety/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report/) . If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please email (usmdeanofstudents@maine.edu) or call 207.780.4035.
EEO Statement:
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).