New Media Assistant, Art & Art History Operations

Overview 

The Art History New Media Assistant directly supports art history faculty in planning, producing and implementing art historical engagement experiences through a range of new media approaches, including multimedia, AR/VR, immersive audio, and more. This role is a part of the Department of Art and Art History, and contributes to larger departmental discussions, strategizing, and assessment of the department’s work in relation to the evolving new media landscape.

This is a project-centered role that includes both art historical research and new media research and production. The position is part-time and complements, rather than duplicates, the work of Academic Technology Services by offering content- and discipline-focused expertise alongside familiarity with new media technologies. As such, this role serves as a bridge and liaison to related campus resources including ITS, Digital Liberal Arts, and Library Archives, in addition to undertaking production and implementation work on faculty projects as needed. Finally, this role is responsible for the training and management of a cohort of work-study student employees who assist with project production, implementation, and research, as well as handle routine Art History support tasks.

This is a 0.5FTE (26 hours/week) over the 9-month academic year (September through May).

About The Department: 

The Art and Art History Department at Macalester College is a dynamic community of artists and scholars dedicated to exploring the multiple pasts, presents, and futures of artistic expression. Situated at the intersection of the fine arts, humanities, and a liberal arts context, we foster interdisciplinary exploration, critical thinking and hands-on making. The expansive cultural and artistic legacies of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, along with the vibrant natural environments of the upper midwest, support our strong sense of interconnectedness and community. Through collaborative teaching and learning, we engage with visual culture to interpret and contribute to the growth of our multicultural and global society. Guided by a belief in the transformative power of art, we strive to inspire curiosity and inquiry while serving and connecting with students, College faculty and staff, and local and regional communities.

• The key responsibility of this role is direct faculty support, including but not limited to:
• Proactively partnering with faculty to assess their syllabi and course content to determine potential new media applications for specific courses, subject areas, and/or research interests;
• Initiating and participating in ongoing conversations around developing and/or locating new media adaptations for pedagogy; working directly with the faculty member on project research and production
• Collaborating with faculty to develop and implement new tools with the goal of innovating classroom engagement with art objects. 
• This is a project-oriented position, and research, ideation, fabrication, development, and implementation may all be requested. 
• Other responsibilities include managing student staff, limited student project support, and other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree in art history, image-based new media (i.e., animation, AR/VR, digital media, interactive art, game design), computer science, or a related field.
• Minimum 1 to 3 years of experience working with digital media, educational technology, or related areas. (Preferred: Familiarity with academic and research environments, ideally within the context of a liberal arts college.)
• Specialized Knowledge: Familiarity with art historical methodologies and frameworks, and ability to critically integrate these with digital processes. The ability to quickly adapt to changing needs and technologies, especially relating to art history pedagogy and scholarship.
• Computer/Technical: Candidate must have demonstrated experience in at least three of these digital media areas:

• • Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR)
    Examples: building AR/VR environments for historically accurate simulations, historical event recreations, or architectural reconstructions.

• • Interactive Timelines, Maps, and Experiences
    Example: creating an interactive timeline showing the development of an artistic element across both time and space

• • 3D Scanning, Modeling, and Deconstruction
    Examples: 3D scanning and reproducing artifacts, or reconstructing art historical objects or spaces from historical information.

• Immersive Audio/Sensory Integration
  Example: developing historically informed immersive soundscapes, or spatially activated audio elements (including re-enacted or speculative soundscapes), possibly also including the use of olfactory, tactile, or other sensory experiences to create fully immersive experiences
• Project Management: Strong project management skills with the ability to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and complete projects. Ability to work independently, prioritize workload, and delegate tasks. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, setting reasonable expectations for deliverables within the FTE available to the role. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. Excellent attention to detail. Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Financial: Experience managing a budget.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills. Ability to convey complex information to non-experts.
• Administrative: Good record keeping and reporting skills. Ability to compose emails and memos that relay information effectively to a variety of audiences.
• Supervisory: Ability to supervise and train student employees in technical processes, art historical research, organization, communication, and time management

Compensation:

The hourly wage for this position will be $30.38 to $31.76, depending on experience.

Benefits: 

At Macalester, we are proud to offer excellent comprehensive employee benefits. Here are some highlights:

• 10% employer contributions to the retirement plan. 
• Outstanding vacation and sick time packages, plus an additional 10 holidays.
• Generous employer contribution to Health Savings Account.
• Tuition assistance which pays between 75% - 100% of eligible tuition for employee dependents at select institutions.
• Free primary care for most services through Nice Healthcare when enrolled in a Macalester health plan.
• Access to the athletics fitness facility, wellness coaching, and activities.

These are just some of the great benefits Macalester has to offer! To see our full benefits packages and options, please visit our Benefits Page.

Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check is a condition of employment.

This position is represented by MAPE.  

Application Guidelines:

For best consideration, please submit your cover letter and resume through the Macalester Employment Opportunities webpage by December 1st. This position will be posted until filled. 

Jaclyn Howard

Talent Acquisition Manager

jhoward3@Macalester.edu