Art Instructor - UT Southern

The Opportunity
The University of Tennessee Southern enthusiastically invites applications for the position of Art Instructor (Full Time, Non-Tenure-Track) in the School of Arts & Humanities. The successful candidate will primarily teach courses in the Gen Ed core including drawing, ceramics, painting, and art survey courses. We offer Graphic Design and Art minors which include design, web design, computer graphics, digital imaging art, and digital photography. There may be opportunities to teach in the instructor’s area of expertise, if not included above, as needed. We are looking for candidates who are dynamic instructors who put students first and who can inspire in students an appreciation for a fine arts education. The standard teaching load for non-tenure-track instructors is fifteen (15) credit hours per semester.

Primary consideration will be given to candidates with experience teaching at the undergraduate level and a record of gallery exhibits or similar. Experience with graphic design, digital art, and web design is preferred but not required.

This is a full-time position beginning in August 2026.

About the University
The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) is a public university established in 2021 through the acquisition of Martin Methodist College, founded in 1870. Located in Pulaski, UT Southern stands as the fourth undergraduate campus in the UT System. It is the only public four-year institution of higher education between Chattanooga and Memphis, and situated along Tennessee’s southern border, the campus is conveniently located about 70 miles south of Nashville and 40 miles north of Huntsville, Alabama. The over 1,000 students enrolled at UT Southern enjoy a private, small-college experience at an affordable, public-university cost. Low student-teacher ratios, high classroom personalization, and the resources of a land-grant university system are among the many advantages students experience. Nearly 30 academic programs are available through the schools of business, education, arts and humanities, mathematics and sciences, nursing, and social sciences. The UT Southern Firehawks, competing in the Southern States Athletic Conference, have 19 nationally competitive athletic teams.
The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees recently approved UT Southern’s inaugural five-year strategic plan: Igniting Excellence. The strategic plan is built on three foundational pillars designed to guide UT Southern through its next phase of growth and development: enhance academic excellence and promote innovation; create transformational student experiences and foster student success; and establish greater connectedness and facilitate campus and community engagement.
The University of Tennessee Southern’s vision is to be the epicenter for education, community leadership, and workforce development in south-central Tennessee and a national model for higher education in rural America.
The mission of the University of Tennessee Southern is to provide an inspiring student-centered and transformative academic experience that empowers our students to excel in their chosen fields, to nurture intellectual inquiry and critical thinking, and to instill a commitment to lifelong learning. With a profound sense of responsibility to our community, we strive to foster engagement and collaboration with all stakeholders to advance effectual change in the region and beyond.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Teach courses including Drawing, Ceramics, Painting, Design, Art Survey, and other introductory and upper-level courses determined by the School Chair
• Teach in-person and online courses in the candidate’s area of expertise
• Serve on committees as requested
• Work with learners of all backgrounds
• Mentor or support students from a wide variety of backgrounds and with differing levels of academic preparedness
• Employ a variety of teaching methods and styles to effectively meet learner needs
• Meet weekly office hours and other duties required to meet student and college needs

Required Minimum Qualifications
• MFA in Art or a closely related field (degree must be completed by August 1, 2026)
• Portfolio of artistic work
• Expertise in various artistic disciplines (2D art, 3D art, graphic design, etc.)
• Demonstrated potential for effective teaching at the college level
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to effectively facilitate learning and support student success
• Strong commitment to excellence and uncompromised integrity
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administrators
• Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of UT Southern