Assistant Professor or Associate Professor Art

Position Function:

The Department of Art at Mississippi State University invites applications for a full-time tenure track faculty position in Illustration. Candidates will report to the Head of the Department of Art and teach courses in support of an emerging Illustration and Entertainment Arts program. The successful candidate in collaboration with other faculty will provide a strategic vision to further develop our Illustration and Entertainment Arts curriculum. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in illustration/entertainment arts and the ability to teach in one or more of the following areas: character design motion time-based creature design concept art and editorial illustration. As part of a leading public land-grant R1 research institution a successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to excellence in research teaching and addition to their teaching duties the candidate will be expected to maintain an active body of creative research and pursue peer-reviewed/juried competitions exhibitions publications and/or industry engagements at the national level. Service responsibilities include student advising and departmental college and university-wide committee appointments. The anticipated start date for this position is Fall 2026.

Salary Grade:UC

For salary grade UC these positions are Unclassified and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Since its establishment in 1968 the Department of Art has grown to become Mississippis largest undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts program. We provide dynamic hands-on studio instruction in the areas of graphic design photography and fine arts covering ceramics drawing painting printmaking and sculpture. By balancing in-depth studio experiences with thorough art history theory & criticism our students benefit from an immersive and rigorous learning environment. Our accomplished faculty lead inspiring and innovative courses in global contemporary art video art typography furniture making life drawing among many other advanced techniques and addition to preparing students for professions in the fields of fine arts graphic design and photography we are committed to fostering an inclusive and creative culture. We actively position art in the service of the University the community and region through our innovative gallery programming a student-led design agency and contributions to local public art.

Recently the College of Architecture Art and Design has developed a flexible interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree designed to integrate the disciplines of our four units: Architecture Art Interior Design and Building Construction Science. We have also welcomed several new faculty to the Department of Art who specialize in digital and multimedia processes. These changes reflect our dedication to keeping our program relevant and technologically current. As we expand our existing coursework in digital design entertainment arts digital painting digital fabrication and other media-based arts we look forward to bringing on new talent. Ambitious artists and designers are invited to contribute to this dynamic period of growth and opportunity!

Mississippi State University continues to earn national recognition for excellence in both employment and community impact. Recently Forbes honored MSU as one of Americas Best Large Employers Americas Dream Employers and Best Employers for New Gradsa testament to our commitment to cultivating a supportive forward-thinking workplace.

Further affirming that reputation MSU has been named to the Chronicle of Higher Educations Great Colleges Honor Roll and recognized as one of the 2024 Great Colleges to Work For. This places us among just 53 institutions nationwide to receive this distinction with top marks in critical categories such as job satisfaction and support compensation and benefits professional development mission and pride confidence in senior leadership shared governance and faculty experience.

The accolades extend beyond campus. Our hometown of Starkville Mississippi was recently named USA Todays 2024 Best Small Town in the South highlighting the vibrant welcoming community that complements the MSU experience.

Area of Specialization:

Illustration

Anticipated Appointment Date:

August 16 2026

Tenure Track Status:

Tenured or Tenure-Track

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Teach and develop courses in Illustration and Entertainment Arts from beginning to advanced levels in the Department of Art.
Candidates will have the opportunity to develop courses in their area of interest or expertise.
Maintain an active body of creative research and peer-reviewed/juried activities or equivalent industry engagements.
Advise students and serve on undergraduate thesis committees.
Work with faculty to oversee curriculum and portfolio reviews.
Serve on departmental college and university-wide committees.

Minimum Qualifications:

MFA or equivalent terminal degree by time of appointment.
Proficiency in common digital drawing and design software.
Historical and theoretical knowledge of illustration as related to entertainment arts.
A record of professional activity creative research exhibitions publications competitions and/or industry engagements.

Rank and salary will be based on individual qualifications of selected applicant.

Preferred Qualifications:

A distinguished academic and/or professional record of creative research activities.
Teaching experience beyond the TA level.
Demonstrated ability in one or more of the following areas: sequential imagery comics graphic novels and childrens books.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

MFA or equivalent terminal degree by time of appointment.
Proficiency in common digital drawing and design software.
Historical and theoretical knowledge of illustration as related to entertainment arts.
A record of professional activity creative research exhibitions publications competitions and/or industry engagements.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Moderate physical activity. Studio courses are approximately three hours in length.

Instructions for Applying:

All applicants must apply online at and attach a cover letter current resume or cv and the complete contact information for at least three professional references.

File 1: A single PDF document containing cover letter cv artist statement one page statement of teaching philosophy and complete contact information for at least three professional references.

File 2: A single PDF containing twenty images of personal creative work (or links to time-based media) clearly labeled with media dimensions and date (maximum file size is 20MB).

File 3: A single PDF containing twenty images (or links to time-based media) of student work reflecting instruction in Illustration and Entertainment Arts. Images should be clearly labeled with course title assignment name/objectives media dimensions and date (maximum file size is 20MB).

Applications will be reviewed beginning January 15 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment programs or activities based on race color ethnicity sex pregnancy religion national origin disability age sexual orientation genetic information status as a U.S. veteran or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance 231 Famous Maroon Band Street P.O. 6044 Mississippi State MS 39762 .

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