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Job Title: Full-Time Faculty in Illustration
Department: Illustration
FLSA Status:  Exempt
Reports to: Chair of Illustration

Position: The Maryland Institute College of Arts (MICA) invites applications for a Full-time Faculty position in the Illustration Department with a multi-year renewable contract in a non-tenure institution.  MICA is recognized for the quality of its fine art and design programs at national and international levels, its dedication to student learning and teaching excellence, a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, and for preparing students for successful creative careers. We invite applications from working illustrators who have a demonstrated commitment to education to join our faculty with a preferred start date of August 1, 2026.

About the Illustration Department at MICA:

The Illustration BFA program is well recognized as a leader in undergraduate education.  As the largest major department of the College, it supports a wide variety of illustration practices and professional pathways for students from across the globe. Our facilities include comprehensive dedicated studio spaces, computer labs, classrooms and an array of supporting equipment. 

Job Description:

Full-time faculty teach 3 courses per semester, ranging from introductory First Year Experience (FYE) to senior thesis-level coursework. In addition, full-time faculty members at MICA participate in departmental service, undertake committee membership, and are expected to maintain an ongoing professional practice.

MICA seeks a candidate with a professional studio background in illustration and related design fields, along with knowledge of art and design studies to advance and diversify MICA’s current curriculum. The successful candidate will demonstrate proficiency in both traditional and digital media, conceptual thinking, and professional standards of the industry. Knowledge and experience over several illustration market sectors such as editorial, publishing, sequential arts, and visual development, are desirable. Needs of the department include candidates with strong Visual Development, Professional Development, and/or Sequential Arts backgrounds. 

Responsibilities Include:

• Teach six undergraduate studio classes per academic year, (3 Fall, 3 Spring) ranging from introductory to advanced levels in Painting, Drawing, FYE, or related areas

• Mentor and advise students, fostering their creative and professional development

• Active participation in departmental and institutional service including:

  • Curriculum and program development, assessment, and strategic planning

  • Share in coordinating department exhibitions of student work 

  • Engage in college-wide committees and initiatives that promote shared governance

• Maintain an active professional practice and/or research agenda that informs teaching and contributes to the field

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Strong record of professional excellence as demonstrated by a portfolio of work and a selected client list of record or equivalent professional experience 

• Teaching experience at the college level beyond graduate assistantships

• Personal commitment to teaching on a college level using pedagogical approaches that are relevant and responsive to our student body

• Accomplished in a broad range of illustration market sectors and/or related professional illustration sectors

• Capable of teaching at all levels of undergraduate art & design education including MICA’s First Year Experience

• Project management skills — the ability to coordinate community-based projects, class-sized collaborative events, and/or research

• Ability to work in a collaborative environment, participating in advising, institutional and departmental committee service, and scheduled departmental and student activities

Preferred Qualifications:

• MFA, MA degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field 

• Knowledgeable about contemporary and historic illustration, art and theory and their relationship to broader social, cultural, economic, scientific, and technological contexts

• Shows promise or proven ability to enrich the strategic aims of the department and the College

Additional Information: The faculty are represented by the SEIU Local 500.

Salary: Commensurate with experience and college policy ranging from $56,246 to 146,325. Excellent benefits package.

Apply: The College will review applications as received. Materials received before October 17, 2025 are best assured of receiving full consideration. The position will remain open until filled. All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be held in the strictest confidence.

Application Instructions: *Applications MUST be initiated via the MICA website. During your application on MICA’s website, you will be redirected to Slideroom to upload supporting materials as directed below. After you have uploaded your materials on Slideroom, please complete your application on MICA’s website. Both the Slideroom upload and MICA application must be completed.

Submit online: Two multi-page PDF documents.

The first multi-page PDF document should include:

• Cover letter outlining your interest in the position, teaching philosophy, and thoughts on the role of art and design in contemporary society 

• Comprehensive CV

• Names and contact information including address, phone and email for three references.

The second multi-page PDF document should include:

• 15-25 images of professional creative work

• 10-15 images of student work from past teaching assignments (if available)

• Descriptive list of all images above
   

Links to live URLs may be submitted as well, but will be considered as a secondary source. Any additional media (MOV, MP3, etc.) should be formatted for Apple computers and have representative still image and description information in the PDF portfolio document.
 

Please format PDF documents for screen resolution and viewing. No physical media are requested nor will be returned.

Conditions of Employment:

• Conditions: Satisfactory Background Check

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of a job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to (amt) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. (may be adjusted depending on position)

• Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually (minimal, moderate, or high).

•  Required training: Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment. (additional training may be added, SEE: EHS Manager training schedule)

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.