Assistant Professor, Sculpture and 3D Practices

Willamette University; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 53,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Willamette University, in collaboration with PNCA, seeks an energetic educator to lead and teach in the undergraduate Sculpture program and contribute to foundational curricula. The role emphasizes inclusive teaching and a strong studio practice in 3D fabrication.

You will mentor students, oversee the 3D shops, coordinate visiting artists, participate in admissions, and help shape assessment and professional development. Salary starts at $62,424 annually.

Qualifications

• Minimum MFA or equivalent professional experience with at least 5 years of higher education or community teaching.
• Active professional practice in sculpture, craft/object design, or product design.
• Experience teaching design thinking and managing studios or fabrication facilities.

Responsibilities

• Teach five courses annually focused on Sculpture and Foundation.
• Mentor students and coordinate visiting artists and studio visits.
• Maintain 3D shops and oversee core staff and facilities.
• Contribute to a 3D facilities program and improvement plan.
• Lead scheduling and curricular development for the department.
• Participate in admissions, reviews, and faculty development.

Skills

Sculpture

Design thinking

Studio management

Collaboration

Education

MFA or equivalent

Preferred MFA in art/design

Tools

Rhino

Autodesk Fusion 360

SketchUp

Job description

ABOUT WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY: Willamette University, founded in 1842, is a nationally‑renowned private university enrolling 2800 students across five colleges. Our historic campus, adjacent to the Oregon State Capitol, hosts a distinguished undergraduate liberal arts college in Salem, Oregon. Our downtown Portland campus is home to the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). We offer a wide range of professional graduate programs, including Oregon’s top‑ranked MBA program, the Northwest’s oldest law school, as well as MA/MFA programs at PNCA and master’s degrees in data science and computer science. Willamette University provides a high‑value and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our Benefits Summary includes options for health, dental, life insurance, retirement, substantial paid time off, tuition and more.

College Background

Pacific Northwest College of Art is the oldest professional art & design college in Oregon. It began as the Portland Art Museum school in 1909 and operated independently until its merger with Willamette University in 2021. PNCA is now the second largest college within the University. Willamette University provides rigorous education in the liberal arts, arts & design, law and management through its undergraduate and graduate programs and lifelong learning programs. PNCA has approximately 550 students in 10 undergraduate and 5 graduate programs. PNCA sparks curiosity and sharpens skills so students can build resilient creative careers anchored in innovation, justice and civic imagination. In addition to our academic programs we serve as a cultural “front porch” bringing artists, designers, scholars and community partners together through the Center for Contemporary Art + Culture where we showcase lectures, talks, exhibits and events that connect Portlanders to art, design and creative exploration.

Campus Community

PNCA’s campus model is centered on a framework of wellness. We believe artists, designers, writers, scholars must be connected, healthy and collaborative in order to thrive. Our Academic Wellness, Student Affairs, Office of International Education, Maker Spaces and Career Design Center weave together with our teaching faculty to support the whole student, fueling a campus that sparks fierce collaborators, bold makers, and citizen artist/designers.

Faculty at PNCA

The primary professional responsibilities of instructional faculty members are: teaching, research, scholarship and/or creative activity, and service to the College and larger University, profession and to the community. These responsibilities generally include: developing and enhancing curriculum, advising students, participation in campus and University‑wide committees, maintaining office hours, working collaboratively and productively with colleagues, building external partnerships and industry relationships, and maintaining a vibrant creative practice and engagement with faculty and university governance. PNCA faculty are engaged and active in the classroom, community and in governance.

PNCA’s commitment to Inclusion

We strive to create a safe and supportive environment that is enriched by variety in voices, work, and perspectives. We know that we are a better community of learners and educators when we have space for a multiplicity of identities, worldviews and experiences. Thus, broad inclusion at PNCA is crucial to our intellectual and aesthetic inquiry. We nurture better, more informed, more critically engaged citizens while it educates emerging artists and designers.

Position Summary

Pacific Northwest College of Art at Willamette University (PNCA) is seeking an energetic, inclusive, and committed educator. This faculty member will teach courses, provide leadership in the undergraduate Sculpture department, and contribute to the ongoing development of the undergraduate Foundation and related programs at the college.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach five courses annually with a focus on Sculpture, Foundation, and related disciplines.
• Mentor students and coordinate departmental visiting artists and studio visits.
• Maintain daily presence in 3D shops and labs, oversee the 3D Shops and core staff.
• Under the direction of the Dean & Sr. Associate Dean, contribute to a 3D facilities program and facilities improvement plan.
• Lead departmental scheduling, curricular development as necessary.
• Convene 3D faculty and support professional development and mentorship of part‑time faculty, staff and student workers.
• Participate in admissions recruitment, open houses, portfolio reviews, and industry events as requested by the Dean and Sr. Associate Dean.
• Under the direction of the Assessment Coordinator, participate in annual assessment planning.
• Participate in required faculty professional development, orientation and onboarding.
• Maintain up to date syllabi, aligned with college learning outcomes and minimum standards for Canvas, learning management system.
• Participate in holistic student care and case management processes.
• Keep up to date with professional and industry best practices and maintain an external and active creative research practice.
• Participate in faculty governance and service to the college.
• Foster an inclusive, equitable and diverse learning environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum MFA or equivalent professional experience with at least 5 years of relevant higher education or formal community based teaching experience.
• Evidence of an active professional practice within the field of sculpture, craft/object based design, or product design.
• Evidence of experience managing and teaching design thinking, design strategy and best practices.
• Demonstrated professional and safety qualifications with at least three of the following areas: ceramics, metal, wood, textiles, glass mold/casting, technique and fabrication.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer-aided 3D design tools and programs.
• Up to date safety and materials handling training and certifications.
• Demonstrated experience in an inclusive teaching environment.
• Experience managing fabrication shops or facilities and supervising staff or volunteers within lab/shop context.
• Preferred MFA, or equivalent terminal degree, in, art/design or closely-related field from an accredited institution.
• Evidence of successful collegiate teaching or rigorous community-based teaching experience in craft design, sculpture or other 3D fabrication.
• Professional or applied experience in managing a studio, freelance or small business practice related to designed objects, product design, sculpture or sculptural installation.
• Experience with programs including Rhino, Autodesk Fusion 360, Sketchup, and more.
• Professional and/or teaching applied studio and career skills such as project management and development, curatorial practice, venture management or exhibition installation.
• Demonstrated skills in both digital and traditional mediums.
• Evidence of advancements in their own field of professional practice.
• Demonstrated professional networks in associated fields of practice.

The successful candidate will be committed to the academic success of all of our students and to an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences. To this end, the successful candidate will work effectively, respectfully, and collaboratively in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings. In addition, the successful candidate will be ready to join faculty, staff, students, and administrators in our university’s shared commitment to the principles of engagement, service, and the public good.

Salary

Starting at $62,424 annually

Background Check Requirement

All University positions require that candidates submit to a criminal conviction record check prior to hire. Conviction does not automatically preclude candidates from being hired. Nature of conviction will be considered relative to the duties of the position.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Application Review

Application review begins January 11, 2027. Incomplete applications will not be considered.