Professor of the Practice in Painting or Drawing

Tufts University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SMFA at Tufts University seeks a Professor of the Practice in drawing or painting to begin September 1, 2027. The position emphasizes excellence in drawing, with openness to painting and expanded approaches, and a commitment to cross-disciplinary pedagogy within Tufts’ broader arts framework.

The candidate should show potential for academic leadership and contribute to teaching, research, and studio practice within SMFA’s cross-disciplinary structure.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated excellence in drawing or painting and ability to teach at various levels.
• Experience with cross-disciplinary curriculum and interdisciplinarity within art education.

Responsibilities

• Teach and develop curricula in drawing or painting across undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Provide academic leadership and collaborate with colleagues on program development and governance.

Skills

Drawing

Painting

Job description

SMFA at Tufts University is seeking applications for a full-time Professor of the Practice position in drawing or painting to begin September 1, 2027. SMFA considers drawing a discrete discipline and welcomes applicants who specialize in drawing; applicants in painting and expanded approaches are also welcome.

About SMFA

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) is a school within Tufts University’s School of Arts and Sciences. SMFA grants the BFA, MFA and MA degrees; students do not major in a single studio practice or area. SMFA faculty are practicing artists and researchers, and sustaining an active creative and research practice— alongside teaching— is an ongoing expectation of the role. Candidates should understand this structure and be prepared to envision their teaching, research, and creative practice within it.

What We’re Looking For

SMFA values cross-disciplinary approaches to curriculum, scholarship, and creative outcomes; we are particularly interested in candidates whose practice and teaching center on drawing or painting but intersect with other areas of study. The ideal candidate will bring diverse experiences that contribute to contemporary art practice and critical discourse, as well as to teaching and mentoring. While this search seeks a colleague with specific disciplinary expertise in drawing and/or painting, SMFA’s programs and degrees are grounded in a broader institutional commitment to interdisciplinarity. The successful candidate will be conversant in contemporary developments in the field, and their practice may take a broad view of what constitutes drawing and painting. They will be able to excel at teaching strong drawing and painting skills at the beginning level and able to engage in a contemporary and global conversation at the advanced and graduate level. Additionally, candidates should have a broad understanding of art practice and theory applicable to visual art fields outside of painting.

We are looking for someone who will bring depth in their own practice while actively supporting students whose work moves across media and disciplines—and who can envision how their own teaching, research, and practice fit within SMFA’s cross-disciplinary structure.

We are also looking for a colleague with experience and interest in academic leadership. Relevant experience might include service as a department chair, director of graduate studies, or leadership of curricular or governance work.

Tufts University, founded in 1852, prioritizes quality teaching, highly competitive basic and applied research, and a commitment to active citizenship locally, regionally, and globally.

Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. See the University’s Non-Discrimination statement and policy here https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/non-discrimination/. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or at [e-mail]. Applicants can learn more about requesting reasonable accommodations at https://oeo.tufts.edu/