Assistant Professor of Photography

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The University of South Dakota Department of Art is seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Photography for a nine-month appointment beginning in August 2026. This position involves teaching film-based photography, alternative photographic processes, and digital photography at both the undergraduate and graduate levels within a dynamic BFA/MFA Art program. The candidate will engage in research, teaching, and service activities according to the guidelines of the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR).The USD Department of Art teaches photography as a means of artistic expression and has a longstanding strength in alternative and historical photographic processes. The ideal candidate is a practicing artist and educator able to teach both traditional and digital photography. As the sole full-time faculty member in photography, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead and shape the direction of both our BFA and MFA programs.Responsibilities● Teach a 3/3 course load.● Teach all levels of traditional and digital photography courses in a BFA and MFA program.● Maintain a distinguished program of creative research and scholarship in photography, demonstrated through exhibitions, publications, grants, or other professional activity at the regional, national, and/or international level.● Develop innovative and inclusive curricula that integrate contemporary and historical approaches to photography.● Advise and mentor students.● Contribute to student recruitment and retention for BFA and MFA programs.● Make meaningful contributions to departmental, college, and university committees/activities.● Maintain a creative scholarship/research agenda in photography and remain actively engaged in the professional art field.● Operate and maintain the photography lab, darkrooms, lighting studio, and other related equipment/facilities (digital and analog).● Work successfully with diverse students, faculty, and staff.Required Qualifications:● MFA in photography or a closely related field.● Demonstrable teaching experience with both film-based and digital photographic practices.● Record of professional artistic engagement with multiple photographic processes, including both analog and digital.● Ability to operate and maintain a photography lab, including both film-based and digital equipment.● Effective written and verbal communication skills.● Strong interpersonal skills.Preferred Qualifications:● Teaching experience beyond the graduate student teaching assistantships.● Documented ability to maintain a vibrant visiting artist program in photography.● Evidence of community engagement and the documented ability to foster connections within and beyond the studio arts.● Evidence of successful grant writing.

Application Process:
Applications will be accepted online until the position is filled, with full consideration given to completed applications received by December 19, 2025.Applicants are required to apply online at and should include:

Cover letter- Letter of Application
Curriculum Vitae
Portfolio-20 digitial images- Label work with date and medium/process (include link to your website)
Media File -20 digital images of student work- Label work with student level,course name, institution, and year. Student work must include both traditional and digital photography.
Other- One representative course syllabus
Work or writing Sample- Teaching philosophy and artist statement
Reference list-