Description
Job Description Summary
The Department of Art at Wake Forest University invites applications for a one-year, full-time Visiting Assistant Professor of Painting, to begin July 1, 2026. This is a non-tenure-track appointment for the 2026–2027 academic year.
We seek a committed teacher with a strong foundation in painting fundamentals, including color theory, composition, materials, and critique practices. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to teach beginning students technical and perceptual skills while fostering critical thinking and conceptual development. The spring stacked course will require mentoring intermediate and advanced students in a shared studio environment.
A successful candidate will contribute to our Studio Art BA program through a 2/2 teaching load, consisting of:
- Fall 2026 : Two sections of Introduction to Painting
- Spring 2027 : One section of Introduction to Painting, one stacked upper-level course combining Painting 2 and Painting 3, and mentorship of Senior Honors candidates.
Qualifications
- MFA in Painting or a closely related field required by time of appointment
- 1-2 years of undergraduate teaching in painting
- Ability to teach both technical foundations and conceptually driven approaches to painting and critique methodologies
- Experience mentoring intermediate and advanced students is preferred
- Active studio practice preferred
We welcome candidates whose work engages interdisciplinary practices, material experimentation, or contemporary critical discourse in painting.
Application Instructions:
The following materials should be submitted:
- Cover letter
- 1–2 page teaching philosophy
- Curriculum vitae, including contact information for three references. (References for finalists will be contacted).
- Syllabus for an intro level painting course including a course schedule.
- 10–15 examples of personal work (labeled)
- 15–20 examples of student work (labeled)
Applications that include all required information and are submitted on or before April 6, 2026 will be given full consideration. To apply, visit: hr.wfu.edu/careers . Inquiries should be directed to Molly Kaderka, chair of the search committee ( kaderkm@wfu.edu ) or to Wake Forest University Human Resources at askhr@wfu.edu . Wake Forest University conducts background checks for all final faculty candidates being considered for employment. The position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.
About Wake Forest University: Founded in 1834, Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational institution dedicated to academic excellence in liberal arts, graduate, and professional education. With more than 5,400 undergraduates and 3,800 graduate and professional students, Wake Forest is a collegiate university offering a vibrant, intellectual community with a rich cultural life, an impressive array of facilities, and a strong athletics program competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Since its founding, the University has adopted the motto Pro Humanitate, which is exemplified by a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world. For more information, visit: askhr@wfu.edu .
Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, a beautiful, mid-sized city in the Piedmont-Triad region of North Carolina. To learn more about Winston-Salem, visit: www.visitwinstonsalem.com .
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all
qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion,
national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and
expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran
status.
Accommodations for Applicants
If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation
to participate in the application or interview process, please contact
AskHR@wfu.edu or (336) 758-4700.
