So, you want to teach art at the university level. It sounds like a dream, honestly. You get a studio, you talk about color theory all day, and you mentor the next generation of rebels. But if you think how to become an art professor is just about being a "good artist," you're in for a massive reality check. The path is grueling. It’s expensive. And frankly, the competition is terrifying.
Most people assume they can just drift from a gallery show into a faculty position. Nope. Academia is its own beast, with its own gatekeepers and a very specific set of unwritten rules that can make or break your application before a search committee even looks at your portfolio.
The MFA is Your Non-Negotiable Ticket
In the world of higher education, the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is considered a terminal degree. This means it's the highest degree you can get in the field of studio art—equivalent to a PhD in history or biology. If you don't have one, your chances of landing a tenure-track job at a reputable institution are basically zero. Sure, you might find a community college or a tiny private school that hires based on "professional equivalence," but those spots are rare.
You need that piece of paper. But it's not just about the degree; it's about where you get it.
Going to a top-tier program like Yale, RISD, or the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) gives you an immediate leg up. Why? Networking. The professors there are the ones writing the recommendation letters that search committees actually read. It's kinda elitist, but it's the truth. You're paying for the brand and the connections as much as the studio space.
Building a Portfolio That Actually Moves the Needle
Your art has to be good. Obviously. But "good" in academia doesn't mean "it would look nice over a sofa." It means your work has to be theoretically grounded. You need to be able to explain why you made it using terms like "liminality," "spatial discourse," or "interrogating the medium."
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Search committees at schools like UCLA or MICA are looking for artists who are actively contributing to the contemporary art dialogue. They want to see that you’re exhibiting in real galleries, not just the local coffee shop. We’re talking solo shows, juried group exhibitions, and maybe an artist residency at places like Skowhegan or MacDowell.
If your CV doesn't show a consistent trajectory of professional practice, they'll assume you won't be able to get tenure later. They want winners. They want people whose names will bring prestige to the department.
What your portfolio actually needs:
- 20 high-quality images of recent work (last 3-5 years).
- A cohesive narrative. Don't show them you can do "everything." Show them you have a singular, powerful vision.
- Video or installation shots if your work is three-dimensional or time-based.
- An artist statement that doesn't sound like it was generated by a robot. Use your real voice.
The "Adjunct Hell" Phase
Here is the part where most people quit. You’ve got the MFA. You’ve got a decent portfolio. Now, you have to prove you can actually teach. Most aspiring professors start as adjuncts.
Adjuncting is tough. You’re essentially a freelance teacher. You might be teaching Drawing 101 at a community college in the morning and Advanced Printmaking at a private university in the evening. The pay is usually abysmal—sometimes as low as $3,000 per course. You get no benefits. You have no office. You’re working out of your car.
But you need the "teaching record." You need to show you can manage a classroom, write a syllabus, and handle the administrative headache of grading. Without 2-3 years of teaching experience, your application for a full-time, tenure-track role will likely be tossed in the "no" pile.
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How to Become an Art Professor Without Losing Your Mind
When a tenure-track job finally opens up, the application process is an absolute marathon. You aren't just sending a resume. You’re sending a "packet."
This packet usually includes a cover letter, a CV that’s ten pages long, a statement of teaching philosophy, a diversity statement (which is becoming huge in 2026), and a portfolio of your students' work. Yes, they want to see that your students are actually getting better.
The interview process is even more intense. If you make the "shortlist," you'll be invited for an on-campus visit. This usually lasts two full days. You'll give a "job talk" about your research and art, teach a "demo" class to actual students while the faculty watches from the back like hawks, and have about fifteen different meetings over coffee and lunch.
They aren't just checking your credentials. They’re checking if they can stand to work with you for the next thirty years. Are you a "good fit"? It’s a vague term, but it basically means: are you easy to talk to, and do you play well with others?
The Reality of Tenure
If you get the job, you’ve won the lottery. Sorta.
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Now the real work begins. You have about six years to prove you deserve to stay forever. This is called the "tenure track." During this time, you have to keep producing art, keep exhibiting, keep teaching well, and—this is the boring part—serve on a million committees. You'll be on the "Curriculum Committee" and the "Student Success Task Force." It’s a lot of meetings.
If you fail to meet the requirements after six years, you're usually fired. It's called "up or out." But if you make it? You have job security for life. That's the dream.
Actionable Steps to Start Today
If you're serious about this, stop just "making art" and start building the foundation for an academic career.
- Audit your CV. If it doesn't have "Exhibitions" or "Awards" sections that are growing every year, start applying to juried shows immediately. Sites like CaFÉ (Call for Entry) are your best friend.
- Find a mentor. Reach out to a professor you actually liked. Ask them for a copy of their teaching philosophy. Most are happy to help if you're respectful of their time.
- Document everything. Every time you make something, get it professionally photographed. Low-res iPhone photos won't cut it for a faculty application.
- Volunteer to TA. If you're still in school or thinking about an MFA, get into the classroom as an assistant as soon as possible.
- Write. Start practicing how to talk about your work in a way that sounds smart but isn't pretentious. Read art journals like Artforum or Hyperallergic to see how the pros describe contemporary work.
The path is long and the pay can be wonky at first, but for the right person, there is no better job in the world. You just have to be willing to survive the gauntlet.
Next Steps for Success:
Research the College Art Association (CAA). They are the primary professional organization for art historians and studio art professors. Their annual conference is the "hiring hub" for the industry. Becoming a member and attending the conference—even as a grad student—is the single best way to understand the current job market and start networking with the people who will eventually be on your search committees. Additionally, start a spreadsheet of MFA programs that offer Full Funding. Never pay for an MFA if you can help it; top-tier candidates get their tuition waived and receive a stipend to teach. If a school isn't willing to invest in you, they likely don't have the resources to help you land a professor gig later.