Assistant Professor of Ceramics

Xavier University of Louisiana

The Department of Art and Performance Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor of Ceramics, beginning Fall 2027. We seek an accomplished artist and dedicated educator whose creative practice, teaching, and service will contribute to the continued development of Xavier’s visual arts program.

The successful candidate will demonstrate substantial expertise in contemporary ceramics and a broad knowledge of ceramic processes, materials, histories, and practices. The department is particularly interested in an artist-educator who can engage students across levels of experience and who understands ceramics as both a material practice and a contemporary field of artistic inquiry.

The successful candidate will teach ceramics courses at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels and may contribute to related courses in sculpture, three-dimensional design, foundations, contemporary art, or other areas consistent with the candidate’s expertise and departmental needs. Candidates whose practices engage traditional and contemporary approaches—including functional ceramics, sculptural ceramics, installation, surface and glaze, alternative firing, experimental processes, interdisciplinary practice, digital fabrication, or socially and community-engaged approaches—are encouraged to apply.

Xavier’s Department of Art and Performance Studies provides students with opportunities to develop skills in traditional and contemporary artistic practices through studio work, seminars, theory, exhibitions, internships, and undergraduate research. The department offers instruction across visual media including ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, graphic design, and art history. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to contribute to this interdisciplinary environment and to help prepare students for graduate study, professional practice, and creative lives beyond the university.

The department is particularly interested in candidates with experience supporting the success of students from diverse educational, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including those served by HBCUs. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments, reducing barriers to student achievement, and advancing student engagement, persistence, and academic success for all learners.

Duties

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Teach undergraduate ceramics courses ranging from introductory courses for non-majors to intermediate and advanced courses for art majors;

• Teach a broad range of ceramic processes and approaches, which may include wheel throwing, handbuilding, sculpture, mold making, surface development, glaze formulation, kiln firing, and experimental or interdisciplinary ceramic practices;

• Develop and maintain an active program of creative research and professional practice demonstrated through exhibitions, publications, residencies, lectures, conferences, grants, or other appropriate forms of professional activity;

• Mentor and advise students in the development of their artistic practices, portfolios, professional goals, graduate-school preparation, and exhibition opportunities;

• Contribute to curriculum development and assessment within the Department of Art and Performance Studies;

• Participate in recruitment and retention activities for art majors and contribute to the development of opportunities that connect students with artists, galleries, museums, cultural organizations, and professional communities;

• Contribute to the operation, development, and safe use of ceramics facilities, equipment, kilns, materials, and studio spaces;

• Promote responsible studio practices, including appropriate health, safety, environmental, and material-use procedures;

• Engage in interdisciplinary teaching and collaboration across the Department of Art and Performance Studies, the Division of Fine Arts and Humanities, and the broader University community;

• Participate in exhibitions, visiting-artist programs, workshops, lectures, student activities, and other initiatives that strengthen the University’s arts community;

• Provide service to the department, division, university, profession, and community;

• Contribute to Xavier University’s mission of preparing students for leadership and service and of promoting a more just and humane society;

• The teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester with additional expectations for creative research and professional activity, advising, and service.

• About the Department

• The Department of Art and Performance Studies is part of Xavier University’s College of Arts & Sciences. The department fosters a dynamic learning environment in which students develop their creative potential through traditional and contemporary artistic practices, studio experiences, seminars, theory, exhibitions, internships, and undergraduate research. The department’s Art curriculum encompasses ceramics, sculpture, photography, graphic design, printmaking, painting, drawing, and art history. The department’s Art Program prepares students for graduate study, professional practice, and careers in which creative and critical thinking are essential. Art majors develop portfolios and professional skills, and students have opportunities to exhibit their work locally and participate in undergraduate research.

• The ceramics area is situated within XULA’s John Scott Art Village a vibrant New Orleans arts community and benefits New Orleans vibrant arts community and connections to the cultural life of the city. The University has an established history of ceramics instruction and creative practice, including faculty and students whose work has been exhibited in regional and national venues.

• The successful candidate will join colleagues committed to preparing students to become thoughtful, creative practitioners and engaged members of their communities.

• Preferred Qualifications

• College-level teaching experience in ceramics and/or related studio-art disciplines;

• An active and nationally or internationally visible studio practice demonstrated through exhibitions, publications, residencies, lectures, awards, grants, or related professional accomplishments;

• Expertise in one or more specialized areas of ceramics, such as sculptural or expanded ceramics, contemporary functional pottery, glaze and surface development, atmospheric or alternative firing, mold making, large-scale work, installation, digital fabrication, or interdisciplinary practice;

• Experience teaching non-majors as well as art majors;

• Experience with ceramics studio, kiln, equipment, and materials management;

• Experience mentoring students toward exhibitions, internships, graduate study, residencies, or professional opportunities;

• Demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary and community-engaged artistic practices;

• Experience incorporating contemporary technologies or emerging approaches into ceramics instruction;

• Commitment to environmentally responsible and sustainable studio practices;

• Evidence of successful collaboration with colleagues, students, museums, galleries, community organizations, or other cultural institutions; and

• Experience working with students from historically underrepresented populations and/or demonstrated commitment to inclusive and student-centered pedagogy.