Professor of Practice – Museum Studies

Position Description and Essential Functions

The School of Art in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University seeks a full-time (1.0 FTE) 9-month (academic year) Professor of Practice in Museum Studies with an emphasis on one or more of these areas: museum administration and strategic alignment, museum administration, development and fundraising, museum technologies and digital initiatives, curatorial practice, community partnerships and civic engagement, and/or collections development and management, beginning August 2025. The position responsibilities include undergraduate and graduate online and in-person teaching on the Tempe campus, curriculum development, student mentorship, and service. 

The School of Art seeks a candidate with a rich and varied skill set in the field of museum practice with a focus on critical museum culture and innovative museum work. The Professor of Practice will have knowledge of current museum theories and initiatives, as well as technical and conceptual issues within cutting edge scholarly and/or museum research or practice. They will combine a track record in innovative museum work and a commitment to mentoring emerging museum professionals. We seek candidates with experience in best practices in one or more of the following areas: museum administration and strategic alignment, development and fundraising, museum technologies and digital initiatives, curatorial practice, community partnerships and civic engagement, and/or collections development and management.

The Professor of Practice’s teaching, research, and contributions to museum engagement will focus on developing and advancing a new MA degree program in Museum and Curatorial Practices to be launched in 2025. The successful candidate will teach upper and lower division undergraduate and graduate courses, both for students in the current BA in Museum Studies and the future MA in Museum and Curatorial Practices. Course modalities may include online, hybrid, and in-person teaching. The Professor of Practice will work with an expansive student population and effectively communicate to students their progress, while considering their varied experiences. They will mentor students on internships and career development to foster equitable and inclusive practices and prepare future professionals for the changing museum field. The successful candidate will have strong organization and communication skills with the ability to prioritize deadlines. To learn more about our museum studies program, please visit the BA degree in Museum Studies. We are especially interested in applicants who are dedicated to advancing the ASU Charter and realizing ASU’s Design Aspirations. 

About the School of Art

The School of Art in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University prepares students for the creative and critical challenges of the global 21st century. Students are taught and mentored in an environment that values innovation, excellence and affordability. Our faculty’s active research allows us to offer a number of specialties unique to ASU and the southwest region. The School of Art has programs ranked nationally in the Top 9 and our MFA program is ranked in the Top 15 by U.S. News & World Report. Our facilities support a full range of artistic experimentation and exchange and include four public galleries. Our ties with the vibrant surrounding arts community are strong and include numerous internship opportunities and a robust visiting artist/scholar lecture series. For more information on the School of Art, visit art.asu.edu.

Required Qualifications: 

• Master's degree with coursework in museum studies or a relevant field.
• A minimum of ten years of professional experience in the museum field.
• Demonstrated potential to advance the museum field with a visionary approach to museum advocacy and leadership, and experience advancing community partnerships and initiatives in justice, equity and inclusion. 
• Regional, national and/or international recognition in cutting edge scholarly and/or  museum research or creative work, including curatorial initiatives that engage with greater inclusion and community. 
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with peers, colleagues, and professionals in academic settings, the museum field and/or the surrounding community
• Evidence of sustained student and/or staff mentorship 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching with experience in higher education. 
• PhD or appropriate terminal degree with coursework in museum studies or a relevant field
• Demonstrated ability to teach online and in-person upper and lower division undergraduate and graduate courses in museum studies using innovative pedagogy and technology 
• Knowledge of the current issues, trends, and innovations or new directions in the museum field.
• Knowledge of emerging media technologies and their ongoing impact in the museum field. 

Application Deadline:

The application deadline is December 3, 2024. Applications for a reserve pool will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.

About ASU

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. In 2022, ASU was named a Hispanic-Serving Institution and in 2023, ASU joined the prestigious Association of American Universities. ASU is deeply committed to advancing in innovative ways while sustaining a welcoming, supportive and empowering environment for all members of our community.

Instructions to Apply: 

Please submit the following materials as separate items:

• Letter of interest addressing the position description and required qualifications
• Curriculum vitae
• Examples of scholarship and/or museum work (limit to 5 examples, including publications, grant proposals, strategic and/or collection development plans, museums programs such as community outreach, curatorial projects, educational initiatives, and/or other evidence of museum work, up to 10 images)
• Names and contact information for three references
• Applicants advancing to the second round of review may be asked to provide additional materials.

All applications must be submitted electronically via Interfolio.

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses and certifications.

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. (See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html  and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.)

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.