Assistant Professor of Practice, Visual Arts & Entrepreneurship

Job Description

The School of Visual Arts (SOVA) at Virginia Tech () invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Practice Visual Arts & Entrepreneurship with a start date of August 2026. The ideal hire will complement the current faculty within SOVA in the area of professional and career development for visual art students. The successful candidate will have innovative professional experience matched by a deep commitment to connecting students to professional success in todays creative economy both pre- and post- graduation. This position requires someone who can help students build both the technical and transferrable skills that prepare them for a wide range of creative careers. The successful candidate will guide students in understanding how to translate their artistic and design studies into successful linear or nonlinear career paths.

This is a full-time 9-month non-tenure-track position with an initial term of three years and the possibility of renewal and promotion. Teaching responsibilities will be in Fall and Spring . The Professor of Practice series at Virginia Tech are faculty who are successful professionals and effective teachers in their field. They bring current industry and field know ledge into the classroom helping students gain the practical and transferrable skills needed to succeed in their discipline. Professors of Practice are expected to remain professionally active through teaching consulting outreach and participation in professional societies and associations.

Key Responsibilities and expectations of the position include:
Teach the typical load of three courses per semester depending on research and service commitments supporting undergraduate/graduate students across studio art creative technologies graphic design and art history develop financially sustainable models to pursue their creative endeavors
Develop courses and curricula connecting visual arts practice and research with todays evolving job market including continued development of the existing Professional Studio Practices course
Teach additional courses in support of SOVAs curriculum related to experience and skillset
Mentor students in professional practices including understanding the entrepreneurial and practical skills needed to pursue career paths in the creative economy
Create and manage initiatives that support students in securing internships residencies fellowships and employment post-graduation
Build relationships with local and regional arts and design organizations businesses and workforce development agencies to create experiential learning and internship opportunities across these sectors
Participate in departmental service activities particularly those related to recruitment outreach and alumni relations

About the School of Visual Arts:
SOVA is housed within the College of Architecture Arts and Design (AAD) at Virginia Tech a comprehensive land grant research university in Blacksburg Virginia. SOVA has approximately 300 undergraduate majors within four areas (Graphic Design Creative Technologies Studio Art and Art History). SOVA prepares students to enter professions and graduate programs in the visual arts design and visual culture. As a comprehensive land-grant university we encourage students and faculty to collaborate across disciplines to train the whole person.

Required Qualifications

MFA PhD. or other terminal degree in visual arts design or a related discipline
A strong record of professional practice and demonstrated experience in creative industries arts entrepreneurship etc.
Demonstrated success connecting creative practitioners with diverse career opportunities
Strong networking abilities and experience building professional partnerships
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a commitment to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment
Ability to work collaboratively within the School of Visual Arts and across departments at Virginia Tech

Preferred Qualifications

Experience managing internship programs or running career-focused programming
Established professional connections in creative industries
Demonstrated success in grant writing fundraising or industry partnerships in the arts/design
Teaching experience at the post-secondary level
Evidence of successful curriculum development and innovative pedagogical approaches

Materials Submission

For full consideration interested applicants should kindly submit the following:

A letter of intent including the candidates proven experience and the potential capacity to fulfill duties and responsibilities (required and preferred qualifications listed above).
Curriculum Vitae.
Portfolio demonstrating professional practice in creative fields. This may include practice in arts entrepreneurship developing creative business strategies grants and arts funding coordinating residencies or incubators/alternative schools social practice or launching ventures in areas of studio art graphic design creative technologies or art history.
Statement of professional practice philosophy. Include how this applies to teaching mentoring and skill-building in a learning environment including examples of how your career experience and portfolio work inform your approach.
A one-page personal statement of teaching philosophy including the candidates ideas for supporting an educational environment consistent with the Virginia Tech Principles of Community.
Three references (names and contact information only).

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Salary range is $60000 - $70000 per year

Hours per week

40

Review Date

January 5 2026 - Review of submissions will commence on this date and continue until position is filled

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors College.The university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.