Virginia Commonwealth University
School of the Arts in Qatar

Position: First Year Incubator (FYI) Faculty
Department: Design Foundation
Position Number: F28290
Position Location: Doha, Qatar
Position Begins: January 13, 2013 (preferred start date) Position will remain open until filled.
Review of Applications: October 7, 2012 and continues until position is filled.

VCUQatar (www.qatar.vcu.edu) is the Qatar campus of the prestigious Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia. Established in 1998 through a partnership with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, VCUQatar offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion design, graphic design, interior design, painting & printmaking; a Bachelor of Arts in art history; and, a Master of Fine Arts degree in design studies. Located in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, VCUQatar is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. The current student body represents a diverse range of nationalities with students coming from more than 40 different countries.

VCUQatar strives to provide an engaged, learner-centered environment that fosters inquiry, discovery and innovation in a global setting. The university hosts the biennial international design conference Tasmeem Doha and supports the biennial Hamad bin Khalifa Islamic Art Symposium, attracting globally recognized designers, academics and thinkers while fostering sustainable, university-community partnerships that enhance the educational, economic and cultural vitality of Qatar. The university has substantial involvement with the emerging design industries in Qatar and is a significant catalyst for that growth. It has established itself as a center of excellence for education and research in art and design.

VCUQatar has 131 full-time faculty and staff and a student body of 249. VCUQatar was the first campus established in Education City, a unique 2500-acre campus community. Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Carnegie-Mellon University, Texas A&M University, Weill Cornell Medical College, Northwestern University, HEC Paris and UCL have since joined Education City.

Qatar is a liberal, hospitable and progressive country in the Arabian Gulf and remains one of the healthiest economies in the Gulf region. English is the standard second language and the population of Qatar is approximately 1.65 million and growing – 350,000 Qatari, the remainder expatriates. Doha offers all the conveniences found in a contemporary and cosmopolitan city, and also maintains a traditional Arab flavor, evident in the old markets and the city’s Islamic Arab architecture. The Museum of Islamic Art, designed by I.M.Pei opened in November 2008 and the Arab Museum of Modern Art (Mathaf) opened in 2010. The US Embassy considers Qatar among the safest countries in the world for Americans.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
This new 9-month faculty position will support the initiation and development of the First Year Incubator (FYI) program. This position is responsible for leading and teaching the FYI studio, designed to cultivate an understanding in basic drawing, drawing concepts and composition, and the elements of design and color, while integrating innovation, creativity, communication, trans-disciplinarity, and social responsibility into a studio based education.

The FYI studio is offered to pre-art and design foundation students only. This beginning studio course emphasizes fundamental issues in art and design, such as content, context, materials, construction, form, space and light. The FYI studio experience will also introduce students to the values, habits, traditions and expectations of studio culture by presenting processes and methods involved in the identification, development and realization of ideas.

This position will join an active Art & Design Foundation faculty team consisting of four full-time faculty, each responsible for one area of the four pillars of the curriculum: Drawing, Surface (2D), Space (3D) and Time (storytelling through media). This position will work closely with the faculty and the Director of the program to develop and build a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to the curriculum.
We are searching for a well-rounded faculty member capable of teaching in multiple areas of the Foundation program as duties may include teaching foundation courses in drawing, two-dimensional design and other courses as assigned. The successful candidate for this position will be an artist, designer, educator and active professional.

All faculty contribute to a culture of learning through participation and support for accreditation standards, pursuit of professional creative research, and participation in faculty governance, service, student advising, and other duties as assigned. The successful candidate will work in a team oriented small-school environment with practicing, experienced and dedicated educators. Opportunities for regional and international collaboration abound.

QUALIFICATIONS
Successful candidates must have an MFA or terminal degree in design or related field and a minimum of two years teaching experience in art and design related to the principles of the FYI Studio. Candidates with a demonstrated record of excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level with an established record of accomplishments in research or professional work in design strongly preferred. Strong digital, collaborative and communication skills are required. Experience teaching introductory studio level is preferred. Experience or potential for working in a culturally diverse work environment is required. Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU and VCUQatar.

BENEFITS
•Competitive international salary
•Tax protection for U.S. Taxpayers
•30% Off-shore supplement to base salary
•Medical Insurance (100% employer funded premium and employer cost shared options available)
•Fully furnished villa or apartment including wireless internet
•Annual travel allowance to home of record (to include a spouse and dependents relocated to Qatar)
•Monthly transportation allowance
•Educational reimbursement for up to 4 dependent children enrolled in an accredited K-12 program
•International Professional Development and Research Opportunities

Application Process: Qualified applicants who have a record of achievement appropriate to VCUQatar should submit a letter of interest with a curriculum vitae, twenty (20) samples of personal work, twenty (20) samples of student work and the names of five references including email and telephone contact information to Tomaree Porter (tlporter@vcu.edu), Human Resources Administrator, Qatar Support Office. Only Electronic submissions will be accepted.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
For more information on VCUQatar and this unique international opportunity, please visit
www.vcu.edu/arts/employment/qatar