Teaching Assistantships

Teaching Assistantships (TAs) provide a valuable opportunity to teach an entry-level studio course as an instructor of record. TAs are solely responsible for all course content including syllabus, assignments, grades and assessment. Candidates should have a strong command of the technical and conceptual aspects of their discipline and possess excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. TAs must comply with all university policies and regulations regarding teaching.

You can apply for multiple TA positions, but must submit separate applications. TAs receive a $2,500 stipend and a tuition waiver for 6 graduate credits, (approximately $2,700) each semester. Job performance reviews will be held at the end of each semester. Read more specific information regarding the financial details and responsibilities of these positions under the TA/GA link on this page.

If you have questions specific to a particular TA/GA position please direct them to the coordinator for that area.

The following Teaching Assistantships available each semester:

Foundation – 2 Teaching Assistants, ARS105

Ceramics – 1 Teaching Assistant, ARS 110

Metal – 1 Teaching Assistant, ARS 120

Painting and Drawing – 1 Teaching Assistant, ARS 140

Printmaking – 1 Teaching Assistant, ARS 160

Sculpture – 1 Teaching Assistant, ARS 170

Photography and Related Media – 1 Teaching Assistant, ARS 150

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships (GAs) provide a valuable opportunity to gain administrative skills within a particular aspect of the Arts. GAs work closely with faculty and staff to assist with a variety of different jobs. Descriptions of the specific GA opportunities are listed below. Priority is given to incoming students who apply for TAs by Jan. 15. Applications will still be accepted after this date until all positions are filled.

You can apply for multiple GA positions, but must submit separate applications. GAs receive a $2,500 stipend and a tuition waiver for 6 graduate credits, (approximately $2,700) each semester. Job performance reviews will be held at the end of each semester. Specific information regarding the financial details and responsibilities of these positions can be found under the TA/GA link on this page.

If you have questions specific to a particular GA position please direct them to the coordinator for that area.

Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art Graduate Assistant Description

Two-semester position to start in the Fall. 20 hours per week.

  • Primary duties include assistance to the Preparator with gallery preparation, exhibition installation, lighting, art handling, matting/framing, wall label and signage/banner production, and assisting with the organization of student thesis exhibitions, including correspondence between museum and student participants.
  • Secondary duties include reorganizing storage areas; organizing and maintaining a/v, lighting and other equipment, inventorying supplies; updating exhibition and curatorial files; and special projects as determined in consultation with museum staff.
  • Must be courteous, careful, and detail-oriented; must be willing to climb ladders and lift at least 40 lbs., must have knowledge of hand tools; facility with computer graphics software and printers a plus.

Visiting Artist Director Graduate Assistant Description

Two-semester position to start in the Spring. 20 hours per week.

  • Primary duties include the coordination of visiting artists in collaboration with the Student Art Alliance.
  • Candidates should have strong organizational and interpersonal skills, fluency with MS Office including word processing and database management and basic familiarity with digital photo editing.
  • This two-semester appointment begins in the Spring; close mentorship and training with the existing VISITING ARTIST/ART EDUCATION assistant is expected during the Fall.

Visiting Artist Lecture Coordinator Duties:

  • Coordination of six-to-eight visiting artist/presenters per semester.
    • Organization of visiting artists, confirmation of travel, hotel stay, dinner reservations, and lunches for the artist during their stay.
    • Management of artist contracts and paperwork for stipends, tax forms, purchase orders for hotel, media, and printing services.
    • Responsible for management of budget as it relates to all aspects the artists travel, food, and accommodations. Budget must be presented and approved each semester at Student Art Alliance Board Meetings.
    • Coordination of artist lecture presentation setup, video recordings of lectures, and reservation of room with Media Services and Student Activities.
    • Communication with faculty and students throughout the semester with visiting artist details. Responsible for organizing a yearly slide slam for students to vote on artists for lecture series
    • Introduce artist at public lecture and oversee their schedule during their visit. Must be on site for troubleshooting and assisting with the artist around campus the day of the lecture.
    • Responsible for transporting and/or arrangement of travel for artists during their visit
    • Coordination of promotional material with graphic design department for poster advertisements and responsible for distribution of material.

Dimensions of job performance include:

  • Communication: Speaking and writing clearly and accurately; responding to communication requests in a timely manner
  • Collegiality and Collaboration: Interacting in ways that are helpful, respectful of others, approachable, and team-oriented; promoting a positive work environment.
  • Effectiveness: Performing tasks thoroughly and with care and attention to detail
  • Initiative: Taking ownership of work; able to work independently, following through on responsibilities
  • Improvement: Being receptive and responsive to feedback
  • Efficiency: managing work time effectively; being on time

Art Education/Recruitment and Promotion Graduate Assistant

Two-semester position to start in the Fall. 20 hours per week.

Specific hours will be determined upon hiring to fit the assistant’s schedule.

Working with the Graduate Coordinator for the Art Department, the Recruitment and Promotions Assistant helps to increase the visibility of the Art Department. Through collaboration with Design and Print services, the Office of Graduate and Extended Learning and the School of Fine and Performing Arts, the Recruitment and Promotions Assistant will help produce, update and circulate promotional material including brochures, posters, websites and social media sites. Additionally, the Recruitment and Promotions Assistant will arrange on-campus meetings and tours with interested students and assist in tracking graduate alumni and producing alumni events. Other responsibilities will include the development of a database of internships and residencies, assistance with developing pedagogical and professional materials for graduate students and event planning related to the MFA program.

Necessary Skills:

  • Communication: Speaking and writing clearly and accurately; responding to communication requests in a timely manner
  • Collegiality: Interacting in ways that are helpful, respectful of others, approachable, and team-oriented; promoting a positive work environment.
  • Effectiveness: Performing tasks thoroughly and with care and attention to detail
  • Initiative: Taking ownership of work; able to work independently, following through on responsibilities
  • Improvement: Being receptive and responsive to feedback
  • Efficiency: managing work time effectively; being on time
  • Familiarity with digital media: basic word processing and layout skills
  • Familiarity with digital photography: ability to take and edit photos
  • Familiarity with social media: ability to use Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Art Education Graduate Assistant

Two-semester position to start in the Fall. 20 hours per week.

The Art Education Graduate Assistant works 20 hours per week in the Art Education program during the academic year assisting and supporting Art Education faculty and staff. Approximately seven hours per week occur on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. during mid Fall and mid Spring semesters.

Representative duties include the following. Other duties may be assigned by the Art Education program director.

  • Performing project related duties for Art Education Director
    • Gathering and organizing information
    • Providing clear summaries of information for Art Education director
      • Knowledge of Word and Excel helpful
    • Developing informational materials for Art Education program
      • Knowledge of InDesign or other graphic design software helpful
  • Managing paperwork related Art Education students’ fieldwork experiences
  • Coordinating and overseeing Art Education Resource Room and supply closet
  • Facilitating storage of and access to digital resources connected to Art Education courses
  • Assisting Art Education faculty with materials preparation related to coursework
  • Performing other duties as assigned by the Art Education program director.

Dimensions of job performance include:

  • Communication: Speaking and writing clearly and accurately; responding to communication requests in a timely manner
  • Collegiality: Interacting in ways that are helpful, respectful of others, approachable, and team-oriented; promoting a positive work environment.
  • Effectiveness: Performing tasks thoroughly and with care and attention to detail
  • Initiative: Taking ownership of work; able to work independently, following through on responsibilities
  • Improvement: Being receptive and responsive to feedback
  • Efficiency: managing work time effectively; being on time

Photography Graduate Assistant

Two semester position to start in the Fall. 20 hours per week. This position is only available to students enrolled in the Photography and related Media MFA program.

The Photography GA works closely with the head of the Photography Program and the photography tech on various projects and tasks to help maintain and upgrade Photography Program facilities, tools and processes. The Photography GA position provides a valuable learning experience in photographic tools and technologies, preparing students for a wide range of technical careers.

Tasks coordinated with the photo technician will include overseeing the photography equipment, training and supervising student workers, upgrading workflows and systems, and optimizing spaces. The GA assists in regular upkeep and maintenance of the Old Library photography production spaces as well as the Photo MFA spaces in the Smiley Art Building. In conversation with the photography faculty, the GA will assist in maintaining the program website and develop digital and analog program archives. The GA will coordinate with the Photography faculty and Graduate Coordinator to promote the program through social media outreach and advertising.

For more information regarding Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Assistantship submission visit SUNY New Paltz Afforidibilitiy visit