Continuing Education Visual and Critical Language Instructor - Advanced Program Online

CE Overview

RISD Continuing Education functions within the larger context of RISD, an institution with an unparalleled reputation for producing highly-skilled, successful, and internationally renowned creative practitioners. With more than 100 years of expertise nurturing critical making, thinking, and innovation in art and design we facilitate personal and professional development by engaging students in sustained exploration and learning in the creative disciplines. With a commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities, RISD Continuing Education instructors plan, organize, teach, and provide feedback to promote and direct student learning in keeping with the institutional learning-centered values and in a manner that meets essential competencies of artists and designers.

Job Summary

What are we looking for?

RISD Continuing Education is in search of a practiced art and design educator interested in joining RISD’s Advanced Program Online (APO) to support the growth of aspiring artists seeking a college-level learning experience. The ideal candidate has experience in art education and is prepared to guide students with empathy. Applicants should be prepared to teach online while delivering courses to a diverse group of students from a range of abilities and experiences. We welcome candidates whose teaching experience addresses historically underrepresented communities.

Learn more about APO by visiting our website.

How does this role impact our students?

As an APO Instructor, you will lead and prepare high school students interested in pursuing art and design in college. APO emphasizes design thinking, communicating, and creating, and students will look to you for guidance while navigating daily prompts and assignments. Furthermore, this program focuses on making by hand and, with few exceptions, does not use computer programs or tablets for the completion of artwork. Each class will serve as an opportunity for your students to develop socially and intellectually; by the end of the course, they will have identified new (or hone in on existing) academic and career goals with your help.

What does this position offer you?

At RISD Continuing Education, we are motivated by advancements in education that allow us to reach broader audiences and connect with creatives from around the globe. We regularly maintain and improve our instructor support systems to ensure that you are prepared to intentionally build a course that you are excited to teach. When you work with us, you will receive personalized support from our program manager to enhance your teaching.

What are we teaching?

We are currently seeking an instructor who is available to teach two sections of Visual and Critical Language during the second summer session (see Course Schedule below). For more information about this course, please visit our course registration page here.

The available sections of Visual and Critical Language coincide with Concentrations in Graphic Design and Animation. The instructor will prepare teaching materials to strengthen students’ visual, written, and oral presentation skills as well as their research and observation skills.

This role frequently requires collaboration with a paired instructor for each Concentration.

Please indicate how your professional work experience relates to this course in your statement of interest.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree 

• Teaching experience in a collegiate and/or high school setting

• Demonstrated expertise in art history, research, and writing

• Experience developing courses that challenge students creatively and intellectually while maintaining age-appropriate pedagogy

• Demonstrated ability to generate high-caliber student work

• Accept and act upon constructive feedback from course evaluations by students and staff

• Experience leading classes and critiques that model constructive, inclusive discussions in an environment of diverse learners

• Ability to tailor instruction to meet the needs of students with a wide range of pre-existing skills

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