APPOINTMENTS FROM THE PART-TIME POOL ARE TEMPORARY AND OFTEN MADE JUST PRIOR TO THE START OF THE ACADEMIC TERM, SO APPLICANTS MAY NEED TO BE AVAILABLE ON SHORT NOTICE. ART & DESIGN - PART-TIME LECTURER POOL.
The Art and Design Department, College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is seeking applications for a pool of part-time lecturers. Positions are available as determined by need and funding during Fall and/or Spring semesters of the 2026 - 2027 academic year, which begins August 17, 2026. An eligibility roster of qualified part-time faculty is being established to teach courses for possible vacancies in the following areas:
- Studio Art: sculpture, drawing, painting, and ceramics.
- Foundations: 2-D and 3-D design, art theory and practice, digital foundations (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign).
- Photography and Video: digital photography, black and white darkroom, studio lighting, editorial photography, and advertising photography, and all genres of digital video.
- Graphic Design: digital foundations (Adobe Creative Suite), all levels of graphic design; typography, interaction design, packaging design, information design, motion graphics advertising, illustration, professional practice/portfolio, and design history. Candidate must possess strong skills in visual design, knowledge of contemporary design issues, mastery of appropriate software applications for both interactive and print communications, and ability to teach industry-standard technical skills to undergraduate students.
Initial rank and salary for lecturer faculty are based on professional experience and educational background and are determined by the hiring department. Most new lecturers are hired at the Lecturer A or B rank. As of July 2024, the classification salary ranges for the respective ranks are:
Lecturer A: $5,507-$6,677
Lecturer B: $6,221-$13,224
Lecturer C: $6,825-$14,523
Lecturer D: $8,593-$15,221
Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment
This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, and is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.
Due to CSU policies, the person hired must reside in the state of California at the time of hire and for the entirety of the appointment.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants are required to possess an MFA in Studio Art, Master of Design (MDes), Master of Art and Design (MAD), Master of Graphic Design (MGraph) or equivalent terminal degree in fine art or graphic/visual communication design is required at the time of appointment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
ABD or Ph.D. or equivalent are preferred for art history. University-level teaching experience preferred.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
All CSU employees are designated "mandated reporters" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. As a condition of your employment, you will be required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 and any subsequent amendments.
Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.
Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.
For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.
In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California.
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo will not sponsor an H-1B for this position.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Art and Design Department offers a four-year curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. The curriculum prepares students for professional participation in graphic design, photography and video, and studio art. The department offers a balanced experience in the arts that includes: 2-D and 3-D studio art, art history, graphic design, interaction design photography and video, critical theory, and general education in liberal arts.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates must attach to their online application:
1. A cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications
2. Current resume/curriculum vitae
3. A copy of unofficial transcripts of highest degree earned (official transcripts will be required prior to an appointment)
4. A list of classes requested to teach and a list of CSU courses previously taught (if applicable)
5. Teaching philosophy, teaching effectiveness, if available.
6. Sample syllabi (if available - attach under "Other requested material")
Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. Cal Poly will directly solicit letters from the people listed by applicants.
For Graphic Design applicants, please also attach: Sample of applicant’s professional portfolio (6–10 projects) or portfolio website. If the applicant has previous teaching experience, please submit samples of student work (maximum of 20 examples). These documents must be submitted as a single PDF file, no larger than 150mb (provide links to online content within the PDF when necessary).
For Photo & Video and Studio area applicants including Foundations, please also attach: an Artist Statement and a PDF of twenty (20) examples of recent professional work and twenty (20) examples of recent student work (if available). These documents should be submitted as a single PDF file, no larger than 150mb (provide links to online content within the PDF when necessary).
REVIEW BEGIN DATE: May 1, 2026 and continues throughout the 26 - 27 academic year.
For questions or to send supplementary materials through the mail, please contact the Art and Design Department by phone at (805) 756-1149 or by email at [email protected]
