Chair, Department of Art and Art History – The University of Texas at Austin
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
The University of Texas at Austin invites applications and nominations for the position of Chair of the Department of Art and Art History in the College of Fine Arts. This is a national search for an accomplished academic leader at the full professor level to lead one of the largest and most distinguished art and art history departments at a flagship public research university.
Situated at a moment of momentum, renewal, and stability, the Department of Art and Art History offers an exceptional platform for visionary leadership. The department is central to UT Austin’s highly ranked College of Fine Arts (most recently ranked #23 nationally) and houses some of the college’s highest-ranked programs, including sculpture, photography, and art history.
The https://art.utexas.edu is one of the largest and broadest in the country. It offers an undergraduate program with K-12 teaching certification in https://art.utexas.edu/academics/programs-centers/art-education, and graduate and undergraduate programs in https://art.utexas.edu/academics/programs-centers/studio-art and https://art.utexas.edu/academics/programs-centers/art-history. The department reflects the rigorous standards of a flagship institution, while offering an intimate environment for students to train as scholars, practitioners, and educators in the arts.
Key Opportunities
The next chair will be enthusiastic about tackling defined needs in the department as well as setting a visionary course for the future. The goals of the department articulated for their next chair include strategic planning for the future, strengthening graduate programs, fundraising and external engagement, leading innovation for student outcomes, strengthening art education and building impactful partnerships and outreach.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Hold an earned terminal degree appropriate to their field in either Art History, Studio Art or Art Education
• Qualify for appointment at the https://operations.finearts.utexas.edu/evaluation
• Demonstrate a distinguished record of scholarship, creative practice, and/or curatorial work
• Show evidence of effective academic and administrative leadership
Compensation and Benefits
The position of department chair offers a competitive total compensation package of approximately $200,000, which includes:
• Base faculty salary typically ranging from $160,000–$175,000
• Administrative supplement
• Discretionary funds for maintaining scholarly/creative practice
• Full teaching release in first year, partial release in subsequent years
• For Studio faculty: salary supplement towards off-site studio facility rental
Required start date for this position is Summer, 2027.
https://hr.utexas.edu/current-employee/compliance/equal-employment-opportunity-eeo-and-affirmative-action-aa, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
To view the full profile please visit our https://apptrkr.com/7240520.
Application Process
DSG | Storbeck has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is led by Susan VanGilder, Managing Director and Susan Kart, Ph.D., Managing Associate.
Applicants can express interest in the role by submitting a compelling cover letter and CV on our https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/23057. Nominations may be submitted at UTAustinChairArt@ dsgco.com. All submitted materials and nominations are strictly confidential.
For best consideration, candidates should submit materials no later than August 31, 2026. Review of materials will be ongoing until the position is filled.
