Associate Professor​/Full Professor & Chair - Photo​/Film​/Sound

POSITION TITLE:

Associate/Full Professor & Department Chair, Photography, Filmmaking & Sound

DIVISION:
Academic Affairs

DEPARTMENT:
Photography, Filmmaking & Sound

REPORTS TO:

Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs

PAY TYPE:

Exempt
WORKER TYPE:
Full-Time, Benefits Eligible
UPDATED:
December 2025
PAY: $71,499.60–$82,903.03 plus $7,000 administrative stipend and course reduction

The Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) seeks a collaborative and visionary artist–educator to serve as Chair of the Department of Photography, Filmmaking & Sound (PFS) beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year. The Chair will provide creative vision, academic leadership, and administrative oversight for a department recognized for its conceptual rigor and experimental approach. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, the Dean of Academic Affairs, the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Chairs’ Council, the Chair will steward the department’s continued growth in visual literacy, professional readiness, and interdisciplinary exchange while ensuring a supportive, well‑organized academic environment.

The Chair also maintains a teaching role, teaching 6 credit hours each semester that directly connect to their creative practice and pedagogical approach.

• Leadership & Administration – Provide visionary and effective leadership for the department, overseeing curriculum, faculty, staff, and facilities with a focus on innovation and alignment with institutional goals. Foster shared governance, clear communication, and a supportive environment for creative and professional growth.
• Curriculum & Academic Development – Guide continual curricular refinement that integrates conceptual rigor, technical fluency, and professional practice. Encourage interdisciplinary approaches, experiential learning, and emerging technologies.
• Community & Student Engagement – Cultivate a strong departmental community that values collaboration, inclusion, and belonging. Support student success through mentorship, exhibitions, visiting artist programs, and engagement with alumni and professional networks.
• Strategic Development & Partnerships – Advance the department’s visibility and reach through institutional collaboration, external partnerships, and resource development. Build relationships with creative industries, alumni, and regional organizations to expand learning and career opportunities for students and faculty.

• MFA or other terminal degree in Photography, Filmmaking, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of five years of full‑time college‑level teaching experience, including curriculum development and student mentorship.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in academic settings and proven ability to lead inclusive, collaborative teams.
• Active and ongoing creative or professional work evidenced by exhibitions, screenings, publications, residencies, or industry experience.
• Comprehensive understanding of contemporary practices and emerging technologies in photography, filmmaking, and sound.
• Familiarity with analog and digital photography and filmmaking workflows.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Minimum of 3 years serving as a department chair, program director, or comparable academic leadership role.
• Evidence of successful participation in program assessment, accreditation preparation, or curriculum review.
• Record of curricular innovation that bridges experimental, interdisciplinary, or hybrid media approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships with external organizations, community groups, or industry professionals.
• Experience developing or securing grants, sponsored projects, or external funding for creative or academic initiatives.
• Engagement with emerging technologies in creative production.

• Cover letter addressing leadership philosophy, vision for departmental growth, curricular innovation, and commitment to student mentorship.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Creative Practice Statement
• Teaching Philosophy
• Portfolio of Creative Work (10–15 examples)
• Supervised Student Work Samples (5–20 examples) —…