MFA Assistant Chair (71100)

Pratt Institute School of Architecture; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Pratt Institute’s Fine Arts Department in Brooklyn seeks a detail-oriented Assistant Chair for the MFA program. Working closely with the Chair, the successful candidate will support the development, implementation, and academic and administrative management of the graduate Fine Arts program.

The Assistant Chair is integral to the delivery of the MFA curriculum, coordinating graduate advising, course planning, admissions, and collaboration across four emphasis areas: Integrated Practices,

Qualifications

• Expertise in the practice and education of art and/or design.
• Strong track record of professional work in art and/or design.
• Excellent detail-oriented organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with a diverse faculty and student body.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chairperson and liaise with MFA area coordinators in planning MFA course schedules, course offerings, and faculty assignments.
• Schedule MFA Fine Arts courses.
• Develop MFA program outcomes assessment and curricular development with the Chairperson and faculty; attend graduate curriculum committee meetings.
• Advise MFA students on program requirements, course planning, program completion requirements and maintain MFA student records and email lists.
• Serve as liaison for MFA students between department faculty, students and the Learning / Access Center, the Student Care Coordinator, and Health / Counseling Services.
• Coordinate the MFA admissions process, attend information sessions, and participate in candidate interviews.
• Create and update prospective/accepted info packets. Coordinate MFA onboarding and orientation events with the Chairperson.
• Collaborate with the Chairperson in recruiting, selecting, and retaining faculty and staff for MFA programs.
• Coordinate MFA programming, including visiting artists for graduate critical reviews and graduate Thesis shows with Thesis faculty.
• Collaborate with MFA program technicians and facilities managers on shop equipment/facilities needs for graduate studios and shops.
• Oversee graduate assistant assignments and manage the graduate assistant budget.
• Oversee Pratt Artists League (PAL) graduate assistant leaders to ensure effective communication between administration and MFA cohort, generate community events and manage related resources.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills

Art & Design expertise

Organization & communication

Interpersonal skills

Diversity engagement

Education

MFA or equivalent in art, design, or related discipline

Job description

About Pratt

Pratt Institute provides the creative leaders of tomorrow the professional knowledge and experience to make a better world. A world-class and internationally ranked college with programs in art, design, architecture, liberal arts and sciences, and information studies, Pratt offers nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Pratt Institute provides the creative leaders of tomorrow the professional knowledge and experience to make a better world. A world-class and internationally ranked college with programs in art, design, architecture, liberal arts and sciences, and information studies, Pratt offers nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The Institute’s impact expands beyond its 25-acre residential campus in Brooklyn to cutting-edge facilities throughout the borough, a landmark building and public gallery in Manhattan, as well as an extension campus, Pratt Munson College of Art and Design in Utica, New York. On Governors Island, Pratt is a core partner on the Stony Brook University team selected to develop the New York Climate Exchange, a research and educational hub poised to establish New York City as the global leader for the most pressing issue of our time: climate change. Another extension of Pratt’s campus is the Research Yard, a 20,000-square-foot facility that brings together the research activities of Pratt Institute under one roof in the Brooklyn Navy Yard (BNY).

Education

• Resourceful and collaborative problem solvers,
• Socially responsible and equity-centered creatives,
• Adaptable and resilient global stewards,
• Inquisitive and compassionate community members.

Description

The Fine Arts Department at Pratt Institute seeks a detail-oriented artist-educator to serve as Assistant Chairperson for the MFA program. Working closely with the Chair, the successful candidate will support the development, implementation, and academic and administrative management of the graduate Fine Arts program.

The Assistant Chair is integral to the successful delivery of the MFA curriculum and the academic experience of graduate students. They coordinate graduate advising and monitor student progress across the program, working closely with faculty area coordinators, graduate faculty, and departmental staff. Responsibilities include supporting curriculum development and assessment; coordinating orientation, registration, and course planning; helping students navigate academic policies and Institute resources; supporting admissions and recruitment; and identifying and addressing academic or community concerns as they arise. The Assistant Chair also helps foster communication, collaboration, and interdisciplinary exchange across the program’s four areas of emphasis: Integrated Practices, Painting and Drawing, Printmaking, and Sculpture.

About The MFA Program And Fine Arts Department

Pratt’s MFA in Fine Arts is a two-year, 60-credit program offering four areas of emphasis: Integrated Practices, Painting and Drawing, Printmaking, and Sculpture. The program combines sustained studio practice with individualized faculty mentorship, rigorous critique, critical and theoretical inquiry, interdisciplinary exchange, professional development, and opportunities for public presentation.

Organized around a developmental sequence of studio courses, critique, Symposium, electives, Public Critique, and a culminating thesis exhibition and written thesis, the program supports students in developing intellectually ambitious, materially sophisticated, and critically independent artistic practices. While students receive focused mentorship within their chosen area, they are encouraged to experiment across disciplines and participate in the broader intellectual and creative life of the program.

The MFA program is based at Dock 72 in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where students have individual studios and access to critique and exhibition spaces, fabrication shops, a Light Lab, Performance Lab, documentation resources, and shared production facilities. Its location connects students to New York City’s expansive community of artists, exhibitions, cultural institutions, and professional opportunities.

Through close mentorship, critical dialogue, and sustained engagement with contemporary artistic practice, the Fine Arts Department prepares graduates to contribute meaningfully to artistic, scholarly, and societal discourse.

Examples of Duties

• Assist the Chairperson and liaise with MFA area coordinators in planning MFA course schedules, course offerings, and faculty assignments.
• Schedule MFA Fine Arts courses.
• Develop MFA program outcomes assessment and curricular development with the Chairperson and faculty; attend graduate curriculum committee meetings.
• Advise MFA students on program requirements, course planning, program completion requirements and maintain MFA student records and email lists. Serve as liaison for MFA students between department faculty, students and the Learning / Access Center, the Student Care Coordinator, and Health / Counseling Services.
• Coordinate the MFA admissions process, attend information sessions, and participate in candidate interviews. Create and update prospective/accepted info packets. Coordinate MFA onboarding and orientation events with the Chairperson.
• Collaborate with the Chairperson in recruiting, selecting, and retaining faculty and staff for MFA programs.
• Coordinate MFA programming, including visiting artists for graduate critical reviews and graduate Thesis shows with Thesis faculty.
• Collaborate with MFA program technicians and facilities managers on shop equipment/facilities needs for graduate studios and shops.
• Oversee graduate assistant assignments and manage the graduate assistant budget.
• Oversee Pratt Artists League (PAL) graduate assistant leaders to ensure effective communication between administration and MFA cohort, generate community events and manage related resources.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Education:

• MFA or equivalent in art, design, or a related discipline is required.

Experience

• At least two years of administrative experience is required; at least three years of academic or higher education administrative experience is preferred.

Skills

• Successful candidates will demonstrate expertise in the practice and education of art and/or design; a strong track record of professional work in art and/or design is preferred.
• Excellent detail-oriented organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop rapport with a diverse faculty and student body.

Supplemental Information

This is a 4-day per week, in person 12-month per year administrative appointment. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

• To be considered, please submit a c over letter, CV, and a list of 5 references with contact information.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pratt Institute recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.

At Pratt, we prioritize equity and have established a systematic approach to guarantee fair treatment for everyone. If your background and expertise align with the requirements of the position, you will be contacted for further instructions.