Visiting Assistant Professor in Art (Photography)

Description

The Art Department at Hamilton College invites applications for a Visiting Assistant Professor of Art beginning July 1, 2026. We seek candidates with expertise in photography whose work is grounded in studio practice, scholarship and teaching. The successful candidate’s research and teaching will situate photographic practices within historical, cultural, and interdisciplinary frameworks. This is a temporary one-year position for the 2026-27 academic year. We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate their experience in teaching or working with broadly diverse student populations while contributing to a vibrant learning community that values academic freedom, creativity, and intellectual curiosity. Your cover letter should address the ways in which you would enhance the educational experience of students and further the College’s educational goals. 

This position requires a strong grounding in traditional photographic processes and materials including analog film-based and wet darkroom processes, large format photography, and color digital photographic production. The successful candidate will have the ability to teach a strong foundation in perceptual, formal, and critical skills within a liberal arts context and to engage students in the social and theoretical dimensions of contemporary photographic practice. Additional experience in other media and types of practice is also welcome. We seek candidates who possess a capacity to interweave theory and practice, who demonstrate effective collaborative skills, and who display a commitment to undergraduate education in the liberal arts. For additional information about our current programs, please visit our Department and Digital Arts Program websites at: https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/departments/Home?dept=Art https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/departments/Home?dept=Digital%20Arts

Candidates must have an MFA, a record of effective teaching in higher education, and a demonstrated record of scholarly and creative achievement. Teaching expectation is three courses in the fall and two courses in the spring, with additional responsibility for mentoring senior photo concentrators and overseeing Hamilton’s analog darkroom. The successful candidate can expect active support for their creative work. The expected 9- month base salary range for this position is $71,900 to $80,400. Candidates should submit a cover letter stating their motivation for teaching at a small, liberal arts college as well as their vision for the role of photography in a visual art program, curriculum vitae, ten images of their own creative work (with captions), ten images of student work (with captions), and the names and contact information for three references who have agreed to provide letters of recommendation upon request via interfolio at https://secure.interfolio.com/. Materials should be addressed to Robert Knight, Search Committee Chair; questions regarding the search may be directed to Robert Knight at rbknight@hamilton.edu. Applications will begin to be considered on November 15, 2025 and the position will remain open until filled.

Hamilton College is a residential liberal arts college located in central New York. The College has built its reputation on the teaching excellence and leading scholarship of its faculty, and on the academic distinction and intellectual curiosity of its approximately 2000 students who take advantage of Hamilton’s open curriculum (https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/open-curriculum). Accomplished faculty, highly capable and motivated students, and a student-faculty ratio of 9:1 provide an educational experience that emphasizes academic excellence, intellectual and cultural diversity, and respect for differences in the development of students as engaged members of their communities. Hamilton’s commitment to diversity is embodied in its need-blind admission policy for US Citizens and Permanent Residents; furthermore, Hamilton College meets the full demonstrated financial need for all admitted and enrolled students during their four years on campus. Please visit the college website for more information (www.hamilton.edu).

Hamilton College is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and an educational experience that recognizes a wide array of experiences, backgrounds and viewpoints as integral components of academic excellence. Candidates who can contribute to those goals are encouraged to apply and discuss their strengths in these areas. Applicants with dual-career considerations can find other Hamilton and nearby academic job listings at https://www.hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-upstate-new-york/, as well as additional information at https://www.hamilton.edu/dof/faculty-development/resourcesfor-prospective-or-new-faculty/opportunities-for-spouses-or-partners (Opportunities for Spouses or Partners). Hamilton provides domestic partner benefits.

Qualifications

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Hamilton College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer and encourages diversity in all areas of the campus community.

Hamilton College complies with all federal and state laws including publishing and making available its Annual Security Report. The report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes and institutional policies addressing campus security. To obtain a copy of this report contact the Director of Campus Safety or visit: www.hamilton.edu/annualsecurityreport