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Title: Assistant Professor of Cinematography
Employee Classification: Asst Professor
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts
Department: School of Theatre, Dance, and Film
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The School of Theatre, Dance, and Film invites applications for a tenure-track position in Cinematography beginning August 16, 2025. The Film and Digital Media major supports the development of innovative and effective visual storytellers. The School seeks a colleague with professional experience in cinematography to join our rapidly growing program.

The ideal candidate will have multiple film credits as Cinematographer or Director of Photography, including feature film, narrative short film, television, commercial work, and/or documentary; demonstrated experience teaching introductory to advanced digital cinema courses; and fostered creative collaboration through the art and aesthetics of moving-image media.

Primary duties include teaching undergraduate courses in digital film production and cinematography with emphasis on professional practice and technique, participation in recruitment for and shared governance of the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film, service at the school, college, and university levels, and mentoring student filmmakers.

In addition to having significant expertise in cinematography, candidates with professional experience in other aspects of film production will be considered (for example, lighting, film colorist, production management, or CGI animation).

The School of Theatre, Dance and Film and the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts are committed to increasing faculty who promote equity, diversity and inclusion in their teaching, research, and service. ISU recognizes that a diverse faculty, staff, and student body enriches the educational experiences of the entire campus and greater community. Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in teaching, research/creative activity, and service. ISU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive academic environment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities include scholarly research and/or creative activity, effective undergraduate and graduate teaching, and service. The normal teaching load is nine credit hours (3 courses) per semester. The locus of annual evaluation, tenure, and promotion in rank will be in The School of Theatre, Dance, and Film.

University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

For more University Benefit information: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Information regarding eligibility for participation in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program can be reviewed here https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/insurance/

Additional Information

The School of Theatre, Dance, and Film is one of four schools within the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts. The School has 35 faculty, 12 staff, and 370 students enrolled in the B.A./B.S. (Acting, Dance, Dance Teacher Education, Film and Digital Media, Musical Theatre, Production Design and Technology, Theatre Studies, and Theatre Teacher Education), M.A./M.S. (Theatre Studies), and M.F.A. (Directing, Costume, Lighting, and Scenic Design) degrees. Its annual production season consists of six theatre productions and two dance concerts in two facilities, a 525-seat proscenium space and a flexible space that can be adapted to a 125-seat thrust or 150-seat arena, as well as screenings of student films. The School is also home to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and maintains membership in URTA (University Resident/Theatre Association), with programs accredited by the National Association for Schools of Theatre. See more information at Finearts.IllinoisState.edu/Theatre-Dance.

The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University includes the Wonsook Kim School of Art, the School of Creative Technologies, the School of Music, and the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film —all of which have rich and varied curriculums. The College is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and student body committed to teaching and working in multicultural environments. The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts recognizes that a diverse faculty, staff, and student body enriches the educational experiences of the entire campus and the greater community.

Illinois State University: Illinois State University, IllinoisState.edu, was founded in 1857, as Illinois’ first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride.

Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis, two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via the Amtrak located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, please visit ( http://visitbn.org/ ).

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$64,000-$72,000

Required Qualifications

1) A terminal degree (M.F.A. or Ph.D.) in Cinematography, Cinematic Arts, Film, or related field.
2) At least one year of teaching experience at the college-level.
3) Professional experience as a cinematographer or videographer in the production industry.
4) An established or emerging record of creative activity and/or scholarship/publications.
5) A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and student success.
6) The ability to demonstrate oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position, as mandated by state law

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

August 16, 2025

Required Applicant Documents

1) Letter of application
2) 1-2 page statement on how your teaching, research/creative activity, and service demonstrate a commitment to EDI based on ISU’s definitions of equity, diversity, and inclusion; examples might include creative/scholarly work, mentoring or leadership experience for underrepresented artists/scholars in educational or industry settings, or other contributions to diverse communities
3) Link to digital portfolio of creative work or demo reel including roles performed
4) Curriculum vitae
5) The names and contact information for 3 references

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Review of applications will begin January 2, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information for Applicants

Ann Haugo
Director, School of Theatre, Dance, and Film
ahaugo@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.