The Kirk Newman Art School is one of the leading community-based art schools in the United States. We reflect the dynamic and diverse nature of our Southern Great Lakes region. Join our outstanding faculty who contribute to a thriving art culture in Kalamazoo, Michigan and beyond! Our faculty welcomes novice, intermediate and expert students across the hundreds of courses offered each year. Our facilities are excellent and provide faculty the tools to teach their craft and connect in small classes in meaningful ways with their students.

We are a community-building space and our students become a part of our creative community. Consider joining us part-time by submitting your curriculum vitae, electronic examples of your work and a statement of interest to teach a workshop or one or more courses for the Kirk Newman School, listed below. Please indicate if you are interested in teaching a course or workshop, or both, when submitting materials.

Once complete, these application materials will be shared with the hiring committees and kept on file for one year. The school director and respective department leader will reach out to discuss your submission materials.

Submit Your CV, Resume and Materials

Departments within the Kirk Newman Art School:

  • Ceramics: Electric, gas, salt, and raku kilns plus one off-site anagama kiln.
  • Sculpture: Clay, metal welding, wood, and bronze casting foundry.
  • Jewelry: Fabrication equipment, vacuum and centrifugal casting, sand blaster, rolling mills, and kilns
  • Printmaking: Intaglio, photo etching, woodblock, lithography, and serigraphy.
  • Fibers: 20 floor looms, spinning wheels, equipment for felting, and dyeing.
  • Photography: 12 enlargers, chemistry, and systems for alternative processes. Fully-equipped darkroom.
  • Glass fusing: Facilities for kiln-formed and kiln-fused glass.
  • Enrichment: Language, creative writing, and wellness.
  • Children’s Dept.: Classes and summer camps

Questions?

Please direct any questions about the Kirk Newman Art School, its faculty, courses or hiring processes to .

 

Equal Employment Opportunity

The KIA is an equal employment, equal access employer that is fully committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.

Job Description

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required to teach at the Kirk Newman Art School,
  • Three years of professional experience and demonstrated mastery in the discipline taught,
  • Knowledge of equipment used and safety protocols (where applicable).

Preferred qualifications:

  • Three years of teaching experience in a college, university, or art school setting

Highly preferred qualifications:

  • Master of Fine Arts Degree
  • Formal DEAI training an experience working with diverse populations (e.g., age, gender, race, ethnicity, etc.)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Typical duties of part-time faculty members at the Kirk Newman Art School include the following:

  • Live the mission and values of the KIA (https://kia.allcmg.com/connect-visit/)
  • Serve the students and colleagues at the KIA through positive teamwork
  • Create engaging course description(s) in a timely manner to allow for feedback from department head, school director and KIA staff,
  • Develop and manage the course syllabus; identify student learning outcomes,
  • Meet all classes regularly and on-time, as scheduled, for the full duration of the class periods, Communicate in a professional manner at all times.
  • Plan and create lectures and in-class activities, create a welcoming and engaging learning environment
  • Provide prompt feedback to students on projects [critique],
  • Collaborate with colleagues on course curriculum [where necessary],
  • Maintain availability to meet with students outside of class sessions, when necessary
  • Attend and participate in KIA all-faculty meetings,
  • Attend required training/professional development activities [compensation provided],
  • Demonstrate an understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion, especially in working relationships with students, faculty, staff and community members
  • Stay updated on innovations, changes, and teaching techniques within their disciplines,
  • Encourage students to complete end-of-semester evaluations. Faculty members are encouraged to read, understand and, where possible, incorporate student feedback into future course plans.

Course Enrollment Stipulations

Courses are traditionally capped based on the size of the studio, taking into consideration equipment needs. Courses with less than 7 students may not run. Faculty members are encouraged to welcome students above the enrollment cap if at all possible, taking safety into consideration.

Reporting Relationship

Faculty members report to the respective department head and, ultimately, to the Kirk Newman Art School Director and Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.

FAQs

When are courses taught at the Kirk Newman Art School?

Fall semester begins: September 7
Winter semester begins: January 9
Spring semester begins: April 10
Summer semester begins: June 5

When will materials be reviewed?

We begin the preparation of course offerings several months before registration begins. In order to have our faculty members and course offerings secured, we will review candidates according to the following schedule:

  • For fall teaching, application materials reviewed by April 1
  • For winter teaching, application materials reviewed by July 1.
  • For the condensed spring term, materials reviewed by October 1
  • For summer classes, materials reviewed by January 1.

How are faculty members compensated?

All faculty members received the same rate of per-student compensation.

Tell me more about the Kirk Newman Art School.

The Kirk Newman Art School has a long and rich tradition as an excellent community-based art school. Founded in 1931, the school has nurtured the creative passions of tens of thousands of students around the region, state and beyond.

Currently, more than 3,300 students engage with our talented and committed faculty members each year. Our summer camps welcome more than 500 youth, preparing our next generation of creative and passionate citizens. Our intensive workshops and visiting artists contribute to the vibrant community within the school.