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University of California Merced Global Arts Studies Program Diversity in Arts Artist in Residence Open Search for Visiting Position in the Arts at University of California, Merced Position and Qualifications UC Merced Global Arts Studies Program (GASP) seeks professional artists for appointments of one or two semesters to teach and to interact with scholars engaged in the study of the arts within a multicultural framework. Artist in Residence hopes to attract artists who will benefit from contact and collaboration with scholars and students. Artists who have works in development that would be strengthened by their residency on a university campus and work with undergraduate students are especially encouraged to apply. Artists representing a wide variety of art forms are encouraged to apply. A qualified candidate will demonstrate professional strength in his or her particular area of artistic expertise and will have at least five years of professional experience. National or international exposure is essential. Candidates practicing unconventional art forms or art forms rooted in candidate’s multicultural heritage or sexual orientation are especially encouraged to apply. Artist in Residence Program is designed to enhance the study of art of world cultures, as well as art of underrepresented groups in order to give UC Merced students, faculty and Merced community a broader understanding of contemporary arts. A qualified candidate will have proof of excellence in teaching. Background University of California in Merced University of California in Merced opened in September 2005 with the initial enrollment of 1000 undergraduate and graduate students. UC Merced is the first research university to open in the twenty first century. UC Merced is located in the heart of a large agricultural area of California’s Central Valley close to the town of Merced and within comfortable driving distance of the large metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Fresno, Modesto and Sacramento. Global Arts Studies Program (GASP) Scholars in the arts study human creativity as expressed through visual, aural and material culture. GASP defines the arts broadly in order to engage a diverse array of arts interests. GASP investigates effects of industrialization, colonialism, commercialism and globalization on art practices. GASP curriculum also explores relationships between popular art and high art, art scholarship and art practice and gender and art, among others. GASP offers a unique curriculum by integrating subjects conventionally housed in disparate departments, underscoring GASP’s primary agenda to promote interdisciplinary study of the arts. GASP familiarizes students with a number of critical approaches and theories currently debated in the arts, preparing students for variety of graduate studies, including art and music history, ethnomusicology, arts management, and ethnic studies. Global Arts Studies Program Artist in Residence Program Goals    To strengthen and complement the scholarly mission of GASP by providing a multiple approach interdisciplinary perspective to students and faculty To provide students with balanced understanding of arts by giving them the opportunity to study with practicing artists To help students acquire solid foundation in fundamentals of art practice by giving them the opportunity to study as well as to observe and /or participate in the creation of a work of art To facilitate collaboration with scholars engaged in the study of global arts To enhance the cultural and artistic environment of the UC Merced community as well as the Merced and Central Valley communities To support artists engaged in art forms that may be in decline due to globalization or post-colonial struggle, particularly those with cultural connection to cultural multiplicity of Central Valley. To support artists practicing unconventional art forms or engaged in creation of art works that will benefit by collaboration with scholars. To support artists whose multicultural heritage is communicated in their work     Residency Requirements Artist in Residence will teach two 4 unit studio courses a semester (four hours a week per course for 15 weeks). Artists who are interested in giving a class that consists of creating a production of a play or who want to choreograph a concert, produce a film or engage in other such large creative endeavors with students will only need to teach one four unit course. Artists in Residence will be asked to present their work while at UC Merced. This may take the form of an exhibit, a performance or a presentation that will take place either on campus or in the town of Merced or vicinity. Each artist’s visit will be seen as an opportunity to organize scholarly events such as lectures, discussions or symposia to form connections between art and research. Concurrent Residencies Two or more artists may apply to be part of a concurrent residency. This will allow artists to collaborate on projects. Artists participating in a concurrent residency may choose to teach together or offer separate courses; however, the salary for the position would be shared. Benefits of Participation       Resources to facilitate new projects or works in progress Resources include: collaboration with scholars and with students, with other central Valley artists Opportunity to exhibit or perform on UC Merced campus, or at Multicultural Art Center, an attractive Merced County Arts Council facility in downtown Merced that offers venues such as galleries and performance space Studio space Attractive campus setting and proximity to Yosemite as well as Central Valley and its diverse population Inexpensive housing Time to create (two courses a week represent 8 hours of teaching and perhaps another 4-6 hours of preparation, rest of time is for creation of art) Application UC Merced is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty. The University strongly supports improvement of access to higher education for disadvantaged underrepresented students. Should you need to know more about this position, please, contact Dunya Ramicova Professor of Art, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts at dramicova@ucmerced.edu. Please, put Artist in Residence Search into the heading. Application Process All application materials are due electronically on or before 5 pm May 1, 2007. Hand delivered or mailed documents will not be accepted. Candidates have to apply electronically using the UC Merced website http://www.ucmerced.edu/jobs/. Documents needed for application are:         Cover letter Application Curriculum vitae Artist Statement: (not to exceed two pages) describing nature of creative work with emphasis on its diversity and enhancement of non-traditional approaches Two Course Proposals (no more than half a page each) Proof of teaching experience and excellence in teaching (teaching evaluations or other form of ascertaining excellence in teaching) Artist Portfolio (submit digitally either in a form of CD, DVD or website link) Three to four names for references (letters will not be solicited until artist is chosen by a committee)