Assistant or Associate Professor of Art, Media, and Design

Company: California State University San Marcos
Location: San Marcos
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Rank: Assistant or Associate Professor Department: Art, Media, and Design Starting Date: Fall 2026 The Art, Media, and Design Department at California State University San Marcos seeks a full-time tenure track candidate whose work is in studio art and hybrid practices. The candidate should have expertise in critical histories and theories of art and representation and engage in research alongside artmaking, which may entail research that crosses into other Art-adjacent disciplines. The candidate should have advanced studio art skills, with experience teaching foundation courses. Candidates should show a record of teaching and working across hybrid practices. The committee defines hybrid practices as an integration of traditional studio art (drawing, printmaking, or sculpture) with emergent practices (installation, social practice, sound design, etc). Candidates with work that contributes to the college and university mission and commitment to sustainability and community-based practice are encouraged to apply. The student-centered, interdisciplinary department seeks applicants with a passion for instigating thoughtful and relevant artwork from a diverse student body. The ideal candidate has experience in working with underserved communities and can adeptly bring relevant topics to the classroom. The position will serve a highly interdisciplinary program with a major in Art, Media, and Design (options in Digital and Media Arts; and Art and Visual Culture), a minor in Film and Video Production and a developing minor in Environmental Art and Social Practice. Art, Media, and Design is in the School of Arts and is an inclusive, collaborative community where artists, scholars, and students actively engage in developing artistic practices, critical thinking, cultural intelligence, and creativity. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate excellence in research and/or creative activities, teaching and service to the department and university. The candidate is expected to engage in service, research and creative activity, and teaching (standard teaching load of 3-3, which may be reduced in first year). The Department of Art, Media, and Design is committed to equity and social change. Candidates who have experience working towards those goals are encouraged to identify their experiences in these areas. Candidates whose work embodies themes of culture, society, environment, place and/or value systems are encouraged to apply. Demonstrated intercultural commitment and experience in teaching, research and/or service is preferred. Minimum Qualifications Master of Fine Arts in related field preferred, or other graduate level degree in related field (awarded prior to date of appointment) Active research and creative agenda that can involve students Strong national/international exhibition/festival record Demonstrated evidence of teaching excellence at the university level in related area Demonstration of intercultural competence and a commitment to serving a diverse campus community as it relates to teaching, research, and/or service Preferred Qualifications (Examples below) 2 years college level teaching experience in related area Teaching/mentorships with diverse and/or underserved communities Work that addresses societal, cultural, or environmental themes and/or explores value systems Demonstrated experience in program and/or curriculum development Interest in teaching foundational through advanced courses A research focus that can move in interdisciplinary and interdepartmental directions Interest in supervising student portfolios Application Procedure Click Apply Now to complete the CSUSM Online Employment Application and attach the following documents: Cover letter that addresses the above minimum and desired/preferred qualifications. Curriculum vitae Teaching statement with teaching philosophy description of candidate’s experience of mentorship self-assessment of working effectively in a multicultural/multiethnic campus environment with a large population of first-generation students Artist’s statement outlining a philosophy of artmaking and research Samples of the candidate’s work – please provide links to work/portfolio (minimum 5 projects with checklist and brief description) Samples of student work Sample syllabus (for any course relevant to the position) Three professional references Optional Materials Student surveys or evaluations of teaching Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $7,459 - $8,646 per month CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,221- $13,224 per month Review of applications will begin December 22, 2025; however, the position will be open until filled. CSUSM is currently not sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment that are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the “Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee. CSUSM has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and was recently named one of the top 32 Colleges most friendly to junior faculty by the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education. Visit Faculty Opportunities for more information. California State University San Marcos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, and veteran or military status. Per the California State University’s Out-of-State Employment Policy , the CSU is prohibited from hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. Working in the State of California is a condition of employment. The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. This position is subject to employment verification, education verification, reference checks and criminal record checks. An offer of appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, including a criminal records check, and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act Notification can be found at Clery Act Notification .

Keywords: California State University San Marcos, Baldwin Park , Assistant or Associate Professor of Art, Media, and Design, Education / Teaching , San Marcos, California