ASSISTANT PROFESSOR of MEDIA, ART & DESIGN / Screenwriting / UMKC School of Humanities & Social Sciences

UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Media, Art and Design

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is a rated R1 by the Carnegie Research Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UMKC is located in an urban environment that provides excellent opportunities for scholastic success and collaboration in the Arts, Sciences, Healthcare, Engineering and so much more. https://www.umkc.edu/

In UMKC's School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS), our vast selection of courses - spanning the arts, humanities, and social sciences - offers a rich educational experience.

The Department of Media, Art and Design programs provide students with tools to develop creative and critical thinking skills, visual and verbal communication abilities, and versatility in professional and personal situations. We offer BA degrees in Studio Art, Film and Media Arts, Art History, and Media, Art and Design, with 180 total undergraduate majors across our four degrees. We serve a variety of students including non-majors and non-traditional students. Our faculty includes actively publishing art historians and film scholars, and nationally exhibiting artists and filmmakers. The department's own UMKC Gallery of Art, which hosts visiting artists, scholars, and gallery exhibitions, supplements coursework and provides unique interactive learning opportunities outside of the classroom. We engage students in high-impact learning trips, such as to local artists' studios, film festivals, and active art hubs across the country. As an urban university, our physical proximity and professional connections to museums, studios and organizations in Kansas City offer students additional opportunities for internships, access to visiting artists, and enrichment programs to enhance their education. Additional information about the department can be found at https://shss.umkc.edu/areas-of-study/media-art-and-design/index.html.

The Department of Media, Art and Design at the University of Missouri-Kansas City seeks applicants for a 9-month, full-time, benefit-eligible, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in fiction screenwriting beginning in August 2026. The successful candidate will teach primarily undergraduate courses in screenwriting; maintain an active creative practice in fiction screenwriting; and participate in service to the department, school, and university. Full-time faculty are expected to maintain residence in the Kansas City area during the academic year and to be active participants in the life of the university. Three years of experience teaching screenwriting at the college level is preferred. An M.F.A. or Ph.D. in screenwriting or a related field by August 1, 2026 is required.

Candidates should have a record of artistic achievement specific to screenwriting, such as recognition in juried competitions, optioned screenplays, or produced screenplays that have screened theatrically, on streaming platforms, or in other selective venues. The successful candidate will be expected to continue to gain juried recognition for their screenwriting work.

The Department of Media, Art and Design at UMKC offers two undergraduate degrees that would be supported by this position: 1) a B.A. in Film and Media Arts, which is a rigorous course of study in film and video production, incorporating courses in film studies and art, and 2) a B.A. in Media, Art and Design, which is a flexible course of study appealing to students in Digital Media, Visual Studies, and Graphic Design. In our film and video production courses, we teach a small-crew, independent-artist approach. Our students create short films in narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental modes, building a portfolio of original work.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate introductory courses in short-form screenwriting and advanced courses in feature screenwriting. They will also teach and mentor graduate students in the screenwriting track within the interdisciplinary Creative Writing and Media Arts M.F.A. program. The successful candidate will also be encouraged to develop and teach new Topics in Screenwriting courses.

Our academic schedules and workload provide for a positive work/life balance.

An M.F.A. or Ph.D. in screenwriting or a related field by August 1, 2026 is required.

Salary is commensurate with experience and credentials.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, discounted tuition at all four UM System campuses for employees and qualifying dependents, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

For consideration, you must apply online at https://info.umkc.edu/hr/careers/academic-positions/; click in Academic Positions Job Opening ID 57421.

Please complete the online application form and provide:

• a cover letter providing your interest, success in research/scholarly creativity, and qualifications for a tenure-track faculty position
• a current CV with contact information for three professional references
• a statement of teaching philosophy
• a portfolio of work in screenwriting that includes at least one complete short-form screenplay and excerpts from at least one complete feature screenplay

For the online application, please combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document. Additionally, please limit the document name to 50 characters and do not include any special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). Maximum size limit is 11MB.

• If you are experiencing technical problems during application, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.
• For questions about the position, please contact umkcfacultysearch@umkc.edu including the Job Identification number 57421 and name of the position.
• Reasonable accommodation may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Office of Equity and Title IX at (816) 235-1323.

We will request educational transcripts for applicants who progress to the finalist stage. A Criminal Background Check is required for finalist hired.

Review of applications will begin 10/27/25 and continue until a qualified candidate is hired.

A City on the Rise: Big City Life and Midwest Charm, Kansas City offers the best of both worlds - a vibrant, urban community with midwestern appeal and an affordable cost of living. The university is in one of the most entrepreneurial cities in America, and the metropolitan area has a population of more than 2.4 million. Our UMKC campuses are centered in the hubs of business activity, cultural arts, and health science research engagement. Our community boasts championship professional athletic teams, NASCAR racing, ethnic and local cuisine (some great BBQ!), a new international airport, and a rich history of music and performing arts. Our beautiful state provides rivers, lakes, biking/hiking trails, and mountains for outdoor enthusiasts, all within an easy drive. Kansas City offers something for everyone (https://www.visitkc.com/).

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.