Application Deadline:

January 12, 2026

Position Details:

This full-time faculty position is on-campus and in-person.

The School of Art in the College of Fine Arts at Texas Christian University invites applications for the position of Director of the School of Art and Associate/Full Professor of Art, Art Education, or Art History. The Director serves as the senior administrator of the academic unit and reports to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts. This is an in-person on-campus tenured faculty position with an administrative appointment. The start date of the position is August 2026.

This leadership role offers an opportunity to shape the future of the visual arts at TCU by fostering a dynamic culture of creative excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and national visibility for the School of Art.

The Director will:
• provide academic and artistic leadership and contribute to TCU’s goal of becoming an R1 institution, ensuring that the strategic plans of the School, College, and University are aligned and effectively implemented.
• manage the School of Art’s budgets, financial resources, and facilities.
• oversee faculty and staff recruitment, retention, mentoring, evaluation, promotion, and tenure process, and make hiring recommendations to the Dean.
• coordinate faculty course load, curriculum design, teaching assignments, and scheduling.
• lead the program development for student recruitment/retention, including scholarships and awards, and maintain accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
• oversee full-time staff in the operations and management of two art galleries and their programming.
• foster a supportive culture of collaboration and community among faculty, staff, and students.
• positively represent the School and work with the Dean on fundraising initiatives, including cultivating relationships with alumni, donors, and community partners.
• work with faculty and area coordinators to develop, expand, and strengthen the School’s research/scholarly activity portfolio, with a focus on increasing externally funded research output, and strengthening the MA and MFA graduate programs.
• teach a reduced load in the candidate’s area of specialty and maintain a record of scholarly/creative activity and service.

Department Details:

The TCU School of Art promotes critical, artistic, intellectual, and academic development in its students, with the goal of preparing well-rounded creative global citizens. The School of Art emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and real-world experience in an environment of focused mentorship in the areas of art education, art history, and studio art, and are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD).

School/College Description:

The TCU College of Fine Arts is home to six academic units: the School of Art, the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance, the School of Music, the Department of Design, the Department of Fashion Merchandising, and the Department of Theatre. We offer 33 undergraduate degree programs and 24 advanced degree programs to prepare the next generation of creative leaders in the arts. Students in the College of Fine Arts study with renowned professors and guest artists, annually present more than 350 public performances, and regularly present art, design, and research in juried exhibitions and competitions.

University & Fort Worth Description:

ABOUT TCU

Founded in 1873, Texas Christian University sits on 302 acres nestled in a primarily residential part of Fort Worth, just minutes away from downtown. The University includes seven schools and colleges, in addition to the John V. Roach Honors College and the Burnett School of Medicine.

Currently, TCU enrolls more than 10,200 undergraduates and 1,700 graduate students. Twenty-eight percent of students self-identify as a member of a minority group, five percent are international students, and forty-five percent are from out-of-state. Our students are supported by more than 2,200 faculty and staff. The University has more than 700 full-time faculty members and is a top 100 National University as classified by US News and World Report and has a Carnegie Classification of R2: Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity.

ABOUT FORT WORTH

Like TCU, Fort Worth has the approachable, friendly charm of a smaller town, but offers the amenities, cultural activities, diversity and unique personality of a much larger city. Fort Worth, Texas, is the 13th largest city in the United States with an ever-growing population nearing 1 million. Fort Worth and TCU have grown together in a nearly 150-year relationship. You’ll find that many Horned Frogs remain here after graduation, thanks to the region’s thriving job market. Fort Worth is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States, and the number 1 tourist destination in Texas. In 2018, bizjournals.com ranked Fort Worth the 7th most affordable city to live and work in the United States and U.S. News and World Report named Fort Worth one of the Best Places to Live. Fort Worth, Dallas and Arlington all rank among the top 25 most diverse cities in the country.

Fort Worth is known for its vast array of cultural, educational and entertainment opportunities. The city boasts three world class art museums—the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The Bass Performance Hall is one of the premier performance venues in the country. Concerts, film festivals and other events are held regularly at Sundance Square, Panther Island and Near Southside venues.

Required Application Materials & Application Instructions:

Required Qualifications:
• hold a terminal degree (e.g., MFA or PhD) in Studio Art, Art History, Art Education, or a closely related field
• qualify for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor with tenure in the School of Art
• demonstrated record of administrative and/or leadership experience (e.g., Associate Dean, Associate Chair, Department Chair, Program Director)

Preferred Qualifications:
• A leadership vision for the School of Art
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience with administrative responsibilities (e.g., budgets, records, reporting, programs, assessment, facilities)
• Success in working with and building consensus among different areas and constituencies within the School of Art’s disciplines and departments
• Proven success of mentorship to faculty, staff, and students of all levels and ranks
• Proven success in providing mentorship to faculty, staff, and experiences to build a supportive community.
• Experience building collaborations across the University, and with leaders and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally
• Experience representing and promoting areas of the School of Art to other fields and constituencies within and beyond the university
• Demonstrated fundraising experience

Required Application Materials:
1. Cover letter including the following: leadership experience and philosophy, teaching experience and philosophy, research/creative activity highlights (3 pages maximum)
2. Curriculum vitae
3. List of three references with contact information for each

After initial review of applications, candidates advancing to the second round of consideration will be asked to submit supporting materials, including examples of research and/or creative work. These may also include evaluations, observations, evidence of effective leadership, links to a professional activity website, and/or letters of recommendation. All materials are to be submitted online.

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.