The Ohio State University seeks a chair who will provide ambitious and innovative leadership for its Department of Art. Anticipated start date is July 1, 2025. The chair will serve as the administrative head of a thriving department, with oversight of faculty, staff, curriculum, facilities, budget, and strategic direction. In addition to their role as a departmental leader and administrator, the chair will also be a dedicated teacher and distinguished artist, with a record of accomplishment to merit appointment in the department as an advanced Associate Professor or Professor.

The new chair is expected to foster an inclusive and interdisciplinary culture among a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students from varied areas of study. The chair will be an advocate for the department, its faculty, and students, providing support and mentorship for scholarly activity and advancing the interests of the department. The chair should be poised to engage with students, faculty, staff, and alumni to build collaborations with arts and humanities departments and interdisciplinary initiatives across the College of Arts and Sciences and the broader university community, Ohio State’s five regional campuses, and community and arts organizations in Ohio and beyond.

Performance Objectives

• To provide steady yet innovative leadership to the Department of Art.

• To manage budgets and facilities for the department.

• To oversee excellence in student learning and curricular development.

• To help faculty and staff thrive in their roles through leadership, mentoring, and professional development.

• To advocate for the department to units around the university, community, and broader academic field.

• To lead engagement efforts with communities and arts organizations around Central Ohio.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required:

• Applicants are expected to have an appropriate terminal degree (MFA or PhD) in an area of specialty in the fine arts.

• National/international record of scholarly and artistic achievement commensurate with the position of advanced Associate Professor or Professor at the Ohio State University, including a distinguished record of creative and/or scholarly achievement, teaching excellence, and professional service; and evidence of continued excellence in creative and/or scholarly achievement.

• Demonstrated and effective leadership and administrative experience in academia.

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate positive work relationships with diverse students, colleagues, and staff.

Desired:

• Experience in fundraising, budgeting, and management.

• Experience with interdisciplinary collaborations, for example those with other academic units, community partners, and professional arts organizations.

• Candidates should demonstrate attentiveness to building a diverse intellectual community, in line with Ohio State’s Shared Values (see below).

How to Apply

Apply to the Careers at Ohio State website at https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Chair---Department-of-Art_R114655-1. A competitive application consists of the following required elements: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and separate research and teaching statements. Review of applications will begin on November 15. Inquiries may be directed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Professor Karl Whittington, at whittington.78@osu.edu.

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach up to FIVE documents in the Application Documents section. Please include the following:

• Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1-2 page letter, which should include a summary of your leadership vision, teaching, and research and/or creative scholarship and a link to an online portfolio of creative research work.

• Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research/creative experience, teaching and mentoring experience, service, funding, publications, and record of exhibition.

• Attachment 3: Research Statement: Summary of your past research/creative accomplishments, current work, and proposal for your future research plan as a faculty member.

• Attachment 4: Teaching Statement: A statement of your approaches, experience and philosophy regarding your teaching, learning, and mentoring.

You may be asked for names and contact information for three reference letters at a later date.

The College

With more than 80 majors and 100 minors, the College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of the university. The Arts and Sciences provides extraordinary opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, blending creativity and analysis to truly be at the forefront of thought. The breadth and depth of knowledge in the college gives students and researchers the critical thinking and adaptability essential for a lifetime of success.

Department Information

The Department of Art offers BA and BFA degrees for undergraduates, and a fully funded MFA degree for graduate students, with specializations in eight different areas/media (Art and Technology, Ceramics, Glass, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Film/Video). The department serves approximately 150 majors, 200 minors, and 30 MFA students. Primary facilities and an exhibition space are in recently-renovated Hopkins Hall, with other satellite facilities around campus and on the five regional campuses. The department emphasizes interdisciplinary experience as well as the study of theoretical and critical activities of the studio artist. Art faculty members are active in teaching and exhibiting around the world, and internationally known artists visit campus to teach courses and to work with students individually.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers and recently ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ list of best U.S. employers for diversity. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

The Ohio State University’s Shared Values include Excellence and Impact, Diversity and Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, Care and Compassion, and Integrity and Respect. Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties.

The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation (DCFR) to focus on supporting new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual careers partner consultations, identifying potential employers and/or employment opportunities, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are provided to support the partners of new and prospective faculty as they are considering or transitioning to The Ohio State University.

In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies. Ohio State is an NSF ADVANCE institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. Beyond its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.