OPEN CALL:Professor of Fine Art/Foundation Class with focus on Painting

The Institute of Fine Art at the Braunschweig University of Art is currently seeking to fill the position of University Professor in Fine Art/Foundation Class, with a focus on Painting. The successful candidate must be willing to take up their appointment by April 1, 2021, and will be appointed as a civil servant in accordance with German civil service regulations, if applicable, or otherwise as an employee, at Salary Scale W2 NBesG. This is a permanent appointment.

We are looking for an artist whose work constitutes a substantial contribution to contemporary art and who can demonstrate the ability to engage with the whole spectrum of painting as a discipline in one of four foundation classes. The four foundation class professors at the Institute of Fine Art are each in charge of individual classes, but should cooperate with each other and promote exchanges between the individual foundation classes. Since teaching in the foundation classes – which include students of fine art as well as students of art education – has so far been exclusively in German, a sufficient knowledge of German (B2 level at the time of employment) is a mandatory requirement.

Responsibilities
–Familiarising students with various aspects, possibilities and strategies in relation to painting and its cross-disciplinary significance in an open-ended process, investigating various aspects of painting, painting techniques, print and drawing in cooperation with the relevant HBK workshops
–Acting as a mentor to students of fine art and art education as they develop their own artistic works (primarily in the field of painting) and to reflect on their works, positioning them within the context of current artistic discourse
–Experimentation with different currents in contemporary art
–Teaching the theory and practice of artistic processes and identifying questions for artistic enquiry
–Teaching students of fine art and art education to come to an understanding of themselves as artists through reflection and practice
–Encouraging a constructive group dynamic and critical discourse within the foundation class
–Conveying a broad overview of contemporary art practices and developments, for example through visits to exhibitions and studios, with a focus on the medium of painting
–Participating in the selection of candidates applying through the artistic application procedure, helping to develop the procedure and advising applicants
–Continuing to develop their own artistic practice at the University

Requirements
–A university degree
–Exceptional artistic practice, demonstrated by a body of work that makes a significant contribution to contemporary art in general and painting in particular
–Applicants should be able to demonstrate that they regularly exhibit their work and have produced relevant publications (analogue and/or digital)
–Additional artistic achievements, demonstrated by an open approach to the medium of painting and to various directions and developments in contemporary art in general, a visibly broad approach to your own work as an artist and at least five years’ independent artistic practice beyond the university environment
–Proven pedagogical-didactic aptitude, demonstrated by professional teaching experience
–An excellent understanding of current events and developments in the art world, especially in relation to painting and additionally in painting techniques, drawing and print
–The ability to teach in a way that closely reflects and engages with actual artistic practice
–A reflective practice in relation to art, teaching content and discourse

Candidates are expected to demonstrate social skills and gender awareness as well as to participate in academic self-governance. All candidates must demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to work with other departments across the university in order to promote an integrated approach to teaching and learning.

Further requirements of the position are defined under Section 25 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (Niedersächsisches Hochschulgesetz of 15 June 2017)

The HBK Braunschweig is committed to increasing the proportion of women in art, research and teaching as one of its strategic goals. We therefore explicitly encourage women to apply. Where candidates have equal qualifications under the relevant regulations, preference will be given to female candidates.

Subject to the same provisions, preference will also be given to candidates with disabilities (please enclose evidence of the relevant disability with your application).

The HBK Braunschweig cultivates a culture of diversity. We therefore particularly welcome applications from candidates who will increase the diversity of our staff and student body and/or who are actively working towards a culture of diversity.

The HBK Braunschweig is a member of the Dual Career Network (South-East Lower Saxony) and offers support to candidates and their families in managing dual careers.

This position is suitable for part-time employment.

Your application should include a letter of motivation, an outline of your teaching approach and methodology, a CV, a list of publications, a bibliography, a list of your exhibitions and previous teaching experience and copies of references and certificates. Your application should be sent by email to as a single PDF file (max. 10 MB) to berufungen@hbk-bs.de by May 28, 2020. Please note that applications submitted in other formats will not be accepted.

Application deadline: May 28, 2020

You may also send up to five of your publications (monographs only) by post to the following address:
Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig