The Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) invites applications for a full-time faculty position in Product and Furniture Design. We are seeking innovative educators who are passionate about shaping the next generation of designers and fostering creative problem solvers. This position will play a key role in developing and delivering courses within our Product and Furniture Design BFA major, an emerging area of focus within the wider MCAD curriculum.

MCAD’s Product and Furniture Design major focuses on studio practice and making, offering students a comprehensive education that blends hands-on design with user-centered thinking and industry collaboration. Our curriculum is structured to provide customizable learning experiences and emphasizes engagement with external partners in various sectors. The major integrates material exploration, design processes, user experience (UX), and market-driven strategies.

Responsibilities Include:

• Teaching a full-time load of three classes (or its equivalent) per semester, covering topics in Product Design and Furniture Design, and related areas.
• Contributing to the development of new courses and the ongoing evolution of the Product and Furniture Design curriculum, with a focus on materials, technologies, the design process, and user-centered approaches.
• Collaborating with faculty across disciplines to foster interdisciplinary projects and initiatives.
• Advising and mentoring students, guiding them through their academic and professional development.
• Building and maintaining relationships with external partners, including businesses, industry professionals, and community organizations, to create real-world learning opportunities for students.
• Participating in administrative support, including curriculum planning and assessment, and serving on college committees as needed.
• Engaging in scholarly or creative research that informs your teaching practice and contributes to the field of design.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Represent MCAD’s vision, mission, and values 
• Create and embrace a community of equal opportunities and inclusivity.

Qualifications:

• A terminal degree (MFA, MDes, or equivalent) in Product Design, Furniture Design, Industrial Design, or a related field is preferred. However, relevant professional experience in product or furniture design will also be considered, and candidates with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in design processes, material innovation, and user-centered design are welcome to apply.
• Prior college-level teaching experience is preferred, though equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• A collaborative approach to education, with an ability to engage students in interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial thinking.
• Experience or interest in building and nurturing external partnerships with industry and community stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

 Faculty appointment at the Assistant - Associate Professor rank commensurate with experience.

Assistant - Associate compensation range: [$60,907-$74,994]

Organizational Profile

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design is dedicated to educating the next generation of cultural leaders. Founded in 1886 as the Minneapolis Society for Fine Arts connected to the Minneapolis Institute of Art, MCAD became a wholly independent nonprofit institution in 1988. Since then, MCAD has grown into a successful, stable, and fully accredited art and design college, with a current enrollment of approximately 800 undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking students. 

The campus is located in a historic arts district in South Minneapolis with its signature building, a bold and light-filled modernist structure, designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. The College is situated in one of the country’s most arts-supportive regions. Bolstered by its robust and diverse economy, Minnesota ranks first in the nation in per-capita public funding of the arts. Minneapolis has been named one of the top ten creative cities in the United States.

MCAD has been a leader in innovative programming and curricula in art and design education. MCAD was the first art college to start online master’s degree programs in 2000 and has made substantial investments in technology for labs and classrooms. In 2006, MCAD introduced a core curriculum that integrated its strong studio programs with a thoughtful liberal arts framework complemented by practical and professional learning. 

In the fall of 2023, MCAD has launched a reimagined Fine Arts undergraduate major with concentrations in Painting and Drawing; Print, Paper, Book; and Sculpture, as well as a renamed and reimagined undergraduate major in Creative Entrepreneurship. Other recent innovative undergraduate programmatic additions include minors in Animation; Print, Paper Book; and Graphic Design. At the graduate level, MCAD launched the new MA in Creative Leadership in the summer of 2022, graduating the first cohort in the summer of 2023.

MCAD is Minnesota’s only four-year independent, accredited college of art and design, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Application Deadline: Priority will be given to those who respond by January 6, 2025.

To ensure full consideration, complete application materials must be received by January 6, 2025. Preliminary interviews will be conducted via Google Meet. A background check will be made before employment.

Applications should include:

1. A cover letter that describes the candidate’s interest in the position, relevant qualifications, and a reflection on the candidate’s ability to contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment through teaching, research, and/or service;
2. A curriculum vitae;
3. A teaching portfolio, including teaching philosophy and documentation of teaching practice (student work samples);
4. Complete information for three professional references: names, institutional affiliations, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers;
5. Evidence of creative or scholarly work.

MCAD’s community of staff and faculty enjoy a dynamic, creative, and inclusive work environment.  We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, and 403(b) retirement plans, commuter benefits, and employer paid basic life insurance policy, short term and long-term disability coverage, and generous paid time off. In addition, after six months of service, full-time employees and their eligible dependents can receive free tuition at MCAD, as well as the potential to receive reduced tuition at more than 600 colleges nationwide. 

MCAD is especially interested in candidates from under-represented groups as well as individuals who have experience with diverse populations and can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the MCAD community. Members of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community are strongly encouraged to apply.