ABOUT FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY:
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), an internationally renowned college of art and design, business and technology, of the State University of New York, invites nominations and applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position in the Fashion and Textile Studies Department, School of Graduate Studies.
The Fashion Institute of Technology, a part of the State University of New York, has been a leader in career education in art, design, business, and technology for nearly 70 years. With a curriculum that provides a singular blend of hands-on, practical experience, classroom study, and a firm grounding in the liberal arts, FIT offers a wide range of outstanding programs that are relevant to today’s rapidly changing industries. Internationally renowned, FIT draws on its New York City location to provide a vibrant, creative community in which to learn. The college offers more than 45 majors and grants AAS, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and MPS degrees, preparing students for professional success and leadership in the global marketplace.
With close ties to industry, FIT draws faculty from the city’s art, business, and design elite, and from the rich academic community of the region. The College continually seeks creative faculty members who are passionate about their field and demonstrate exceptional professional capability in the core competencies of instruction design, learning enrichment, globalism, and use of technology, as well as mastery of established and emerging industry practices.
A vital and growing part of FIT’s rich educational mix, the School of Graduate Studies provides advanced professional education in seven disciplines closely tied to the college’s mission, promotion in the post-baccalaureate study of business, art, fashion and design. The School is dedicated to advancing research in the creative industries and fostering collaboration and a dialogue that links faculty and students to outstanding professionals and practitioners.
The Fashion and Textile Studies Department is unique in its focus and its mix of history, theory and practical skills. Established in the 1980s, it was one of the first programs in the nation to specialize in fashion and textile history and conservation. The department is supported by the on-campus resources of the Museum at FIT and the Special Collections and College Archives, housed within the Gladys Marcus Library. The Fashion and Textile Studies MA program provides advanced academic and practical support for career paths that involve the study and interpretation of historic costume and textiles. Courses are developed and taught by both academics and independent practitioners, and deliver key skill sets in the areas of historical research, writing, public presentations, exhibition planning, collections management, object documentation and analysis, and conservation. Students graduate prepared to pursue careers in museums, archives, historic houses and auction houses, and for further study and academic careers. The program provides access to NYC museums and critical connections to the many museums worldwide which now employ our graduates.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The School of Graduate Studies seeks a full-time faculty member in the Fashion and Textiles Studies Department specializing in Textile Conservation. The department offers courses in the conservation of textiles and dress, collection management, costume and textile mounting and museum practice, as well as in the history of fashion and textiles and fashion theory.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced textile conservator, able to teach introductory and advanced courses in conservation and related areas. The successful candidate will also be responsible for the management of the department’s laboratories and study collections.
The candidate will have a record of scholarship and teaching experience, and will have made contributions to the field through research, publications, conference presentations, lectures, and involvement in professional meetings. The candidate will have a network of connections in the field, including contacts in museums and organizations such as the American Institute for Conservation, the Textile Society of America, and the Costume Society of America.
The ideal candidate will have a versatile and interdisciplinary perspective and the ability to work collaboratively with the department chair colleagues, students, and external stakeholders. The candidate will be expected to serve on committees as required and with a commitment to advancing the department in alignment with the goals of the FIT Strategic Plan. (http://www.fitnyc.edu/strategic-plan/index.php).
REQUIREMENTS:
Specific Competencies:
Successful candidates will excel in the following competencies:
Globalism
- Demonstrate broad knowledge of and experience in textile conservation, conservation theory, fashion and textile history, and museum practices.
- Possess experience in the field and have connections worldwide, through publications, conference presentations, and professional networks.
- Demonstrate ability to work effectively in global settings with international colleagues from multicultural backgrounds.
Instructional Design
- Demonstrate involvement in the profession of conservation, fashion and textile studies and related career paths, including professional connections to museum and academic partners.
- Demonstrate ability to develop and deliver course content on textile conservation, conservation theory, history of textiles and dress, or museum practices in classroom, laboratory and museum settings.
- Demonstrate fluency with state-of-the-art technology and specialized equipment necessary in the classroom environment.
- Demonstrate mentorship and leadership abilities in moving advanced students forward through an intense and rigorous curriculum.
- Demonstrate a passion for the work and the ability to communicate effectively.
Learning Enrichment
- Demonstrate a passion for research, conservation practice and writing with the ability to inspire interest, curiosity, and creativity in advanced students.
- Demonstrate the usage of a variety of instructional delivery methods that foster critical thinking and creative problem solving in the fields of fashion and textile studies and museum practice.
- Demonstrate a commitment to interdisciplinary and experiential learning approaches.
- Demonstrate the vision to build and advance the department through enhanced curricular approaches and regular assessment.
- Demonstrate a commitment to enhancing student interaction, collaboration, and creativity in the classroom.
- Demonstrate a commitment to facilitating internships and other opportunities for students.
Professionalism
- Maintain active engagement and currency in conservation practice and scholarly activities relevant to course content and museum practices.
- Demonstrate leadership in the field and maintain engagement with peers and colleagues, through publications, conference presentations and invited lectures.
- Possess the willingness to share professional contacts and opportunities to achieve department and college goals.
- Demonstrate the willingness and ability to serve as a college representative on matters related to the department and its mission.
Technology
- Demonstrate significant proficiency in technological skills and knowledge of social media approaches to program advocacy and growth.
- Demonstrate ability to communicate through technology and to adapt delivery of course content and management using campus-wide technology.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Candidates should have a terminal degree in art conservation, textile conservation or a related field, and experience in teaching, scholarly and professional practice in conservation areas. It is essential that the candidate have the ability to teach several courses in the MA program.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Preference will be given to candidates with graduate-level teaching and experience in advising graduate thesis projects and mentoring advanced students.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
This position will be required to constantly read and comprehend, occasionally perform calculations, constantly verbally communicate, frequently analyze, and constantly write. The working conditions for this position will be any combination of the classroom, lab, and/or office space. Certain roles may be required to handle machinery and chemicals. The physical requirement for this position will require occasional sitting, constant standing, occasional bending, frequent walking, and occasionally lifting 10 lbs. or less.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This faculty position will begin Fall 2023. Review of applications will commence in September 2022 and continue until the position is filled. The salary and appointment rank will be based on education level and cumulative experience. Please note a background check is required for appointment to this position.
