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Title: Assistant/Associate Professor, Hip Hop, Culture, History and Practice
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts
Department: School of Creative Technologies
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University invites applications for an energetic, interdisciplinary educator-practitioner to teach “Hip-Hop: Culture, History & Practice”, a new large-section General Education course. This tenure-track position will also play a central role in developing some additional offerings that integrate hip-hop culture, history, and creative practice with critical inquiry and emerging creative technologies, including AI, as tools for artistic expression and research.

The ideal candidate will have roots in hip-hop’s artistic expressions, such as sound design and beat production, lyricism, breaking technique, urban dance, stylized lettering, or related creative domains and be a practice-led teacher and creative-scholar who integrates critical inquiry and emerging creative technologies as a foundational component of their work. We are especially interested in candidates who use artificial intelligence not only as a cutting-edge tool, but also as a pedagogical means, creative medium, or research methodology.

They will understand that teaching and mentorship are essential not only for sustaining hip-hop culture but also for cultivating community connections and local scene engagement. Their creative-scholarly work should inform the design of courses and experiences that explore intersections across technology and culture, whether through generative media, architecture and spatial design, or other emerging digital forms. Regardless of disciplinary approach, the position necessitates a demonstrated fluency in creative technologies across multiple modes of expression (i.e., Audio Music Production, Film, Game Design, Dance, Theatre, Music Business, Art and Design, or other areas within the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts).

In addition to launching the General Education course, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop additional classes aligned with their expertise. Potential offerings may include “Breaking & Culture”, “Letterform and Visual Aesthetics”, “Sound Design and Production”, or cross-disciplinary explorations of hip-hop culture, history, and practice through interactive media, digital arts, textiles, architectural contexts, or related domains, which might be best able to express a possible future of the Hip Hop aesthetic.

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

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Additional Information

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: 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 truck 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 Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

Assistant Professor, $71,400-$75,000 Associate Professor, $81,600-$85,000

Required Qualifications

1) Terminal degree or international equivalent in a discipline within the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts (i.e. music, audio production, game design, theatre, dance, visual arts, graphic design, film, digital media).

2) Recognized or emerging creative-scholarly record in hip-hop culture, history, and practice.

3) Demonstrated undergraduate teaching experience, including large-section General Education courses (in-person, hybrid, or online), with a clear commitment to student-centered pedagogy.

4) Evidence of creative or scholarly work in hip-hop culture, history, and practice (i.e. publications, recordings, exhibitions, productions, performances, adjudications, digital projects)

5) Competence in creative technologies, including DAWs (Ableton, Logic, Pro Tools), sampling, MIDI 1.0/2.0, or at least one generative/assistive AI tool or workflow integrated into creative practice or pedagogy

6) Commitment to inclusive teaching practices and enthusiasm to work with first-generation and diverse student populations

7) Experience with community-engaged pedagogy and partnerships with local culture practitioners

8) Candidates must be able 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

8/16/2026

Required Applicant Documents

1) Updated C.V.
2) 2-4 page cover letter that directly addresses required qualifications
3) Provide either a single PDF containing a portfolio of personal works or a link to a digital portfolio showcasing creative-scholarly works (i.e. publications, recordings, exhibitions, productions, performances, adjudications, digital projects).
4) Reference list of 3-5 (references will not be contacted without notification)

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 February 2, 2026. Position is open until filled.

Applicants for this position must be authorized to work in the U.S. without ISU sponsorship. Sponsorship for work authorization will not be considered for this position.

Contact Information for Applicants

Human Resources
Michelle Klunke
msklunk@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 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.