Art Instructor, Ceramics, Tenure-Track

Thank you for your interest in Truckee Meadows Community College. If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact Human Resources at (775) 673-7168 or [email protected] .

Job Description

Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), located in Reno, Nevada, is seeking applicants for a full-time, tenure-track Art Instructor – Ceramics.

The successful candidate will provide instruction and coordinate the Ceramics area while contributing to the broader Fine Arts curriculum. The position requires an accomplished practicing artist and committed educator with strong technical knowledge of ceramic processes, materials, studio operations, equipment, and safety.

The Art Instructor – Ceramics will teach beginning and intermediate Ceramics courses, including intermediate wheel throwing, sculptural ceramics, plaster casting, and additional Fine Arts courses based on program needs and the successful candidate's qualifications. The faculty member will provide continuity for and coordination of the Ceramics area, oversee the safe and effective use of ceramics instructional spaces and specialized equipment, collaborate with and mentor part-time faculty, support students pursuing transfer and professional opportunities, and contribute actively to curriculum development, assessment, program review, recruitment, and the continued development of the Fine Arts program.

The studio supports beginning and intermediate instruction in wheel throwing, handbuilding, slab construction, extrusion, slip casting, clay mixing and reclaim, glaze preparation, and mold making. TMCC’s Ceramics area includes two dedicated teaching studios with 18 pottery wheels, a dedicated kiln room with seven electric kilns supporting Cone 05 bisque and Cone 5–6 glaze firings, and dedicated clay, glaze, and bulk-storage rooms.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with Fine Arts faculty to strengthen curriculum, support student achievement, maintain safe and effective instructional facilities, and develop opportunities that connect students with professional artistic practice, transfer pathways, and the regional arts community. This position is expected for a Fall 2027 start.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Ceramics, Studio Art with a demonstrated concentration in Ceramics, or a closely related studio-art discipline from a regionally accredited institution.

2. College-level teaching experience in Ceramics equivalent to at least one (1) academic year, or 30 semester credit/contact hours.

3. Demonstrated professional knowledge of wheel throwing and handbuilding processes.

4. Demonstrated knowledge of ceramic materials, clay bodies, glazes, surface treatments, firing processes, and finishing techniques.

5. Demonstrated experience operating and firing ceramics kilns.

6. Demonstrated knowledge of safe ceramics studio operations, materials handling, equipment use, and maintenance.

7. Evidence of an active professional creative practice in Ceramics or a closely related studio discipline.

8. Demonstrated ability to teach additional studio and/or General Education courses within the Fine Arts curriculum.

9. Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and professionally with diverse populations of students, faculty, and staff.

10. Evidence of effective written and oral communication skills and innovative instructional practices.

Preferred Qualifications

1. College-level Ceramics teaching experience exceeding one academic year or 30 semester credit/contact hours.

2. Demonstrated expertise in both wheel throwing and handbuilding.

3. Experience with clay-body development and glaze formulation or glaze chemistry.

4. Experience operating and firing electric and gas kilns.

5. Experience with kiln maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, kiln furniture, and firing schedules.

6. Experience managing or coordinating a college, university, nonprofit, community, or professional ceramics studio.

7. Demonstrated knowledge of ceramics studio safety, chemical hygiene, dust control, ventilation, hazardous-material handling, SDS documentation, and safe equipment operation.

8. Experience managing materials, equipment, purchasing, inventory, and studio budgets.

9. Experience developing or revising Ceramics curriculum.

10. Experience with program assessment, curriculum review, program review, and related faculty administrative responsibilities.

11. Experience coordinating or mentoring part-time faculty, studio technicians, student workers, or teaching assistants.

12. Ability to teach 3D Visual Foundations and/or Sculpture.

13. Ability to teach additional Fine Arts courses such as Visual Foundations, Drawing, Art Appreciation, or other studio or General Education courses.

14. Experience mentoring students preparing portfolios, exhibitions, transfer applications, or professional opportunities.

15. Evidence of an active and sustained professional exhibition record or comparable creative activity.

Academic Faculty Responsibilities

Teaching and workload assignments are scheduled throughout the calendar year and may require evening and weekend obligations at one or more College locations.

1. Teach 30 (15/15) credit or contact hours during the academic year, August through May, in assigned modalities and locations according to the needs of the Fine Arts program.

2. Teach beginning and intermediate Ceramics courses, including intermediate Wheel Throwing and Sculptural Ceramics.

3. Teach additional Fine Arts courses based on program needs and the faculty member's qualifications.

4. Support student learning outcomes assessment processes by teaching toward approved student learning outcomes and assessing student performance.

5. Assist with curriculum and program review, revision, and assessment.

6. Develop and revise Ceramics curriculum, assignments, instructional materials, and innovative teaching practices that improve student learning.

7. Teach and demonstrate wheel throwing, handbuilding, clay preparation, surface development, glazing, kiln loading, firing, finishing, and professional presentation.

8. Maintain current knowledge of contemporary and historical ceramic practices and incorporate appropriate technical, conceptual, historical, and professional content into instruction.

9. Support students in developing technical competency, conceptual strength, problem-solving abilities, artistic voice, and professional practices.

Ceramics Studio and Program Responsibilities

10. Coordinate the Ceramics instructional area and related instructional spaces, promoting consistency in curriculum, student learning outcomes, studio procedures, equipment use, and safety across Ceramics course sections.

11. Assist department administration with the recruitment, mentoring, and support of part-time Ceramics faculty and promote effective communication and coordination among faculty teaching in the Ceramics program.

12. Maintain a safe, functional, clean, organized, and professionally operated ceramics instructional environment, including the development, communication, and implementation of studio safety procedures and compliance with applicable College and regulatory safety requirements.

13. Coordinate the safe operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and scheduling of specialized ceramics equipment and kilns, and work with Facilities and other College personnel to address instructional facility, ventilation, electrical, plumbing, and related infrastructure needs.

14. Coordinate the safe handling, storage, use, and documentation of clay, glaze materials, chemicals, tools, and supplies, including Safety Data Sheets (SDS), labeling, chemical hygiene, dust-control practices, housekeeping, ventilation, and personal protective equipment requirements.

15. Manage the ordering, inventory, organization, and availability of clay, glaze materials, raw chemicals, tools, kiln furniture, consumables, and other instructional supplies