Assistant Professor in Art

Position Summary:

Job Description:

POSITION: Western Colorado University invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position in Art with a specialization in Jewelry Ceramics and Sculpture. We seek a dynamic teacher-scholar who is committed to student-centered learning professional preparation and inclusive interdisciplinary education. This is an in-person on-campus position on our vibrant residential campus in Gunnison Colorado.

The standard teaching load is 24 credit hours per academic year. The successful candidate will deliver engaging well-designed courses such as Introduction to Art Ceramics Jewelry 3D Design Sculpture Art History and may teach other courses aligned with their expertise and departmental needs. We especially value faculty who engage students in high-impact practices such as internships research community-based learning and who participate in our Western Watershed General Education and First-Year Seminar Headwaters courses. We value faculty who work to prepare students for a livelihood based on their values and aid students in gaining post-graduate opportunities.

The School of the Arts serves nearly 200 students across its majors and minors and contributes to the general education program via a wide range of courses. Within Art students can earn BA degrees in Art BFA degrees in Art with an emphasis in Painting Photography Ceramics Sculpture Jewelry or Printmaking and Secondary Licensure in K-12 Art combining rigorous academic preparation with high-impact experiential learning.

Western supports its faculty by fostering a collaborative and innovative academic community. Our Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) actively engages faculty staff and administrators in cross-campus initiatives designed to reimagine WCUs educational landscaperooted in diverse expertise and committed to continuous growth. The Professional Activity Fund (PAF) provides financial support for faculty engaged in research artistic projects grant writing and other scholarly or creative activities with three application opportunities each year.

Westerns faculty are teacher-scholars who contribute meaningfully to their discipline the campus our community and beyond. We seek candidates who will actively support our institutional mission and strategic priorities including:

• Participating in our innovative Western Watershed General Education program;
• Promoting wellness inclusion and belonging;
• Collaborating within and across disciplines to grow enrollment and deepen student engagement;
• Expanding career-connected learning and professional pathways.

Learn more about the department at: An MFA or other terminal degree with an emphasis in a Three-Dimensional Area is required. Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to undergraduate education excellence in teaching and willingness to work with and be sensitive to the educational needs of all students. Candidates must also be able to use technology in instructional delivery including the ability to teach online and hybrid courses. Collegiality and professional flexibility are sought in the successful candidate. Preference given to candidates with 3 years of full-time teaching experience.

SALARY/BENEFITS:$55000-$59000 annualized salary. Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan dental insurance retirement plan life insurance and other insurance options. After one year of employment Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years.

START DATE:August 17 2026

APPLICATION: Apply online at Required attachments to the application include: letter of application curriculum vitae evidence of successful teaching and mentoring evidence of successful scholarly and creative work including a portfolio of 20 student works examples and a portfolio of 20 personal artworks and a reference list with names and contact information of three references including one from a current supervisor.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act in any materials you submit you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age date of birth or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Western is unable to sponsor work authorization for this position.

Please direct questions to Tina Butterfield at ; email:

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 15th 2026 at 11:59pm (MST).

Review of applications will begin immediately.

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of 3700 students. 47% of students are undergraduates 33% are graduate students and 80% receive some form of financial aid. Western students represent 17 countries 50 states and almost every county in Colorado. With an average class size of 17 Westerns faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized rigorous and immersive education. Visit learn more about the university.

Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison Colorado about 200 miles southwest of Denver amidst over 2 million acres of public land and a vibrant ranching community. The Gunnison valley provides robust cultural programming and exceptional outdoor recreation. A network of dedicated community organizations enrich the lives of many in the tight-knit community. Living in the valley one appreciates a vibrant culture of festivals exhibitions performances wellness activities and the winter many enjoy skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and along dozens of miles of cross-country the summer bikers hikers and runners explore 750-plus miles of singletrack trails while others delight in fishing boating and paddleboarding at Blue Mesa Reservoir or on the Gunnison River and its tributaries. Pre-K-12 students are served by the highly-ranked Gunnison Watershed School District.

Western Colorado University encourages qualified candidates from all identities backgrounds and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore in all aspects of the employment process we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants in accordance with applicable law.

An Equal Opportunity Employer including disability/vets.

Western Colorado University believes that equity diversity and inclusion drive our success and we encourage candidates from all identities backgrounds and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore in all aspects of the employment process we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race color religion sex disability age sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy medical condition related to pregnancy creed ancestry national origin marital status genetic information or military status (for state classified positions with preference given to military veterans) or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Please see our diversity statement and our DEII Committee charge.

ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment including completing the application process interviewing completing any pre-employment testing participating in the employee selection process and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at or .

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS