Joel Whitaker, Professor and Chair, Department of Art and Design
ACADEMIC PROMOTION HISTORY
2022-19 Chair, Department of Art and Design, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
2022-11 Professor, Department of Art and Design, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
2011-07 Chair, Department of Visual Arts, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
2011-01 Associate Professor, Department of Art and Design, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
2001-94 Assistant Professor, Department of Visual Arts, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
RESEARCH 2012-2022
I hold a Bachelor of Fine Art in Art from the University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama and a Master of Fine Art in Studio Art from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. In 1990 I was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, and in 1993 I joined the faculty of the University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, where I currently hold the rank of Professor. I have over 30 years’ experience in visual arts higher education, arts administration, curatorial work, community service, and in the making of photographs and photo related works.
I have remained active in my field through my teaching, ongoing study of the medium, development of photographic projects, and the pursuit of exhibition outlets and funding opportunities. Research related recognition of note: I was invited to create a photograph for the exhibition After the Moment, Cincinnati Contemporary Art Center; one of five Ohio photographers featured in Lenscratch - Fine Art Photography Daily, The States Project: Ohio; and one of eight Ohio photographers to participate in a NEH funded re-photographic survey of the Farm Security Administration’s documentation of Ohio. My work has been highlighted in The Elements of Photography; Oxford American - Eyes on the South; and Photography Now/One Hundred Portfolios - An International Survey of Contemporary Photography.
Artistic Contributions
Exhibition, When Birds Nest in Heaven, Dutoit Gallery, Front Street Galleries, Dayton, OH, one- person (2022).
Exhibition, Waking Up, The Contemporary Dayton Biennial Member and Student Invitational, Dayton, OH, invitational (2022).
Exhibition, When Things Go Missing, Edison State Community College, Piqua, OH, one-person (2022).
Collection, Hatchcock Hall, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH (2021).
Exhibition, Phoned In, Paperworkers Local, Birmingham, AL, invitational (2020).
Exhibition, When Things Go Missing, Dayton Visual Arts Center, Dayton, OH, one-person. Held in conjunction with Fotofocus, Cincinnati, OH (2018).
Curatorial Work, Contact: Janelle Young and Christine Zuercher, Radial Gallery, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH (2018).
Exhibition, Spirituality, Prairie Center for the Arts, Peoria, IL, three-person exhibition, invitational (2017).
Exhibition, Light Years Ahead, Dayton Visual Arts Center, Dayton, OH, group (2017).
Exhibition, Life and the Global Commons, Hanley Institute of Sustainability, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, invitational (2017).
Exhibition, Cities, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD, one-person (2017).
Exhibition, DVAC 25th Anniversary Exhibition, Dayton Visual Art Center, Dayton, OH, invitational (2016). One of 25 artists invited to exhibit as a part of the 25th anniversary of the Dayton Visual Art Center.
Exhibition, When Things Go Missing, Art Narratives, on-line (2016). Invited to participate in the Instagram gallery Art Narratives. Art Narratives has over 24 thousand followers and selects artists to participate based on the narrative qualities of their respective works.
Collector Portfolio, CAS(rt) Community Sustained Art, Dayton Visual Art Center, Dayton, OH (2016). One of six artist invited to contribute 50 photographs to a portfolio intended for fund raising.
Exhibition, DVAC 25 Print Blitz, Dayton Visual Art Center, Dayton, OH, invitational (2016). One of 25 artists invited to create a unique print in celebration of DVAC's 25th anniversary.
Exhibition, Dayton Visual Art Center SizzleX6, LWC/Lorenz Williams Architectural, Dayton, OH (2016). A selection of photographs exhibited for one evening as part of the Community Sustained Art program through the Dayton Visual Art Center.
Exhibition, Art in the City, Dayton Visual Art Center, Dayton, OH (2016). One of 24 artists invited to exhibit as a part of a city-wide art exhibition in a Dayton business.
Exhibition, After the Moment: Reflections on Robert Mapplethorpe, Contemporary Art Center, Cincinnati, OH, invitational (November 6, 2015 - March 13, 2016). An exhibition of artists from across the region responding to the 25th anniversary of the Robert Mapplethorpe exhibition at the Contemporary Art Center in Cincinnati and ensuing community hysteria. Artists selected by curators from across the region.
Curatorial Work, Material Time: William Knipscher and Jacinda Russel, Gallery 249, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH (2016).
Exhibition, Gratitude: A Celebration of Community, Stivers School of the Arts, Dayton, OH, invitational (2015). Exhibition of regional artists who have been involved in Stivers School of the Arts fundraising and community service.
Curatorial Work, Entropy: Angela Faris Belt, Department of Art and Design, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH (2015).
Exhibition, Party Show Slide Time!, BOOM Gallery and Wave Pool, Cincinnati, OH, invitational (2015).
Exhibition, Image Ohio 15, Roy G Biv Gallery, Columbus, OH, juried (2015).
Curatorial Work, Faith, Reason, and One-Hour Processing, Department of Art and Design, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH (2015). Exhibition in association with the Graul Chair, Marian Library, and various university departments. Works were curated from the apparition’s collection of the Marian Library as well as photographs created from the collection. This was a year-long project that engaged departments from across the university. A catalogue was created to accompany the exhibition with essays by Jillian Slater, curator of the Marian Library, and Anthony Smith, faculty in the Department of Religious Studies. The exhibition brought in students from across the university and was used as an educational resource for students in the CORE and Art Education program.
Exhibition, Sky High, Southern Ohio Museum, Portsmouth, OH, invitational (2014).
Curatorial Work, Variations on Likeness, Dayton Visual Arts Center, Dayton, OH (2014).
Exhibition, Sky High, Ohio Arts Council Riffe Gallery, Columbus, OH, invitational (2014).
Exhibition, Cities, Aronoff Center for the Arts, Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Art Gallery, Cincinnati, OH, one-person (December 2013 - February 2014).
Exhibition, Outstanding Alumni Exhibition Florida State University, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, invitational (2013). Exhibition highlighting outstanding graduates from the Florida State University Master of Fine Arts program.
Exhibition, Cities: New Photographs by Joel Whitaker, Miller Center for Visual Arts, University of Urbana, Urbana, OH, one-person (2013).
Exhibition, Cities, SRO Gallery, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, one-person (2013).
Exhibition, Cities: New Photographs by Joel Whitaker, ArtStreet, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, one-person (November 2012 - January 2013).
Exhibition, Contained Gateway Arts Festival, Cincinnati, OH, one-person (2012).
Exhibition, Images of the Great Depression: A Documentary Project of Ohio 1935-2010, Fotofocus and University of Cincinnati Sycamore Gallery, Cincinnati, OH, invitational (2012). Re-photographic survey of Ohio towns initially photographed during the Great Depression by Farm Security Administration photographers. Exhibition is the result of the NEA funded project.
Exhibition, MW Society of Photographic Education, Cincinnati, OH, juried (2012).
Exhibition, Images of the Great Depression: A Documentary Project of Ohio 1935-2010, Wood County History Museum, Bowling Green, OH, invitational (2012). Re-photographic survey of Ohio towns initially photographed during the Great Depression by Farm Security Administration photographers. Exhibition is the result of the NEA funded project.
Exhibition, Four Decades: Photography from the University of Montevallo, Birmingham Public Library, Birmingham, AL, invitational (2012). Exhibition highlighting 40 years of photography graduates from the University of Montevallo.
Exhibition, Images of the Great Depression: A Documentary Project of Ohio 1935-2010, Troy-Hayner Cultural Center, Troy, OH, invitational (2012). Re-photographic survey of Ohio towns initially photographed during the Great Depression by Farm Security Administration photographers. Exhibition is the result of the NEA funded project.
Exhibition, Images of the Great Depression: A Documentary Project of Ohio 1935-2010, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, OH, invitational (December 2011 - January 2012). Re-photographic survey of Ohio towns initially photographed during the Great Depression by Farm Security Administration photographers. Exhibition is the result of the NEA funded project.
Exhibition, The Dig, Kelsey Projects, Dutoit Gallery, Front Street Galleries, Dayton, OH, invitational (2016).
Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research
Grant, Fotofocus, Cincinnati, OH, in support of When Things Go Missing exhibition, Dayton Visual Art Center, Dayton, OH (2018).
Grant, Artist Opportunity Grant, Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District (MCACD), Dayton, OH (2018).
Grant, Individual Excellence Award, Ohio Arts Council, Columbus, OH (2015).
Intellectual Contributions
Whitaker, J. (2020). Tracy Longley-Cook (Ed.), Dayton Daily News insert, In the Balance: Reflections of our community during COVID. Dayton, Ohio: in association with The Contemporary Dayton.
Whitaker, J. (2019). Tedford, M. (Ed.), University of Dayton Magazine, When Things Go Missing, (Spring 2019, No.3, vol. 11, pp. 39-42). Dayton, OH.
Whitaker, J. (2019). Lenscratch, Friedman, J. (Ed.), The States Project: Ohio. Los Angeles, CA. http://lenscratch.com/2019/04/joel-whitaker-the-states-project-ohio/
Whitaker, J. (2018). Arrangements. Little Rock, AR: Oxford American Eyes on the South. www.oxfordamerican.org/item/1609-arrangements
Whitaker, J. (2018), Exhibition Catalogue, When Things Go Missing, Dayton, OH: Dayton Visual Arts Center, Dayton, OH and Fotofocus, Cincinnati, OH.
Whitaker, J. (2015). Exhibition Catalogue, After the Moment: Reflections on Robert Mapplethorpe, Cincinnati, OH, Contemporary Arts Center. contemporaryartscenter.org
Whitaker, J. (2015). Photos Without Certainty (002nd ed. vol. 004, pp. n/a). on-line: Strant Magazine. http://www.strantmag.com/category/volume-004/vol004iss002/
Whitaker, J. (2015). Archival Exhibits as Interdisciplinary Teaching Tools: A Case Study, Jillian M. Slater, The Marian Library, International Marian Research Institute, University of Dayton, eCommons
Whitaker, J. (2104). Interview by re Sky High Exhibition, Spotlight: Riffe Gallery: Sky High. OH: www.ohiochannel.org/MediaLibrary/Media.aspx?fileId=144373
Whitaker, J. (2014). Curatorial interview (Sept 2-8, 2014, pp. 16). Dayton City Paper, Dayton, OH.
Whitaker, J. (2014). Exploration of atmosphere carries imagination to new heights. Columbus, OH: Columbus Dispatch.
Whitaker, J. (2014). Frames for a good cause. Dayton, OH: (April 5, 2014) Dayton Daily News.
Whitaker, J. (2012), Crump, J. (Ed.), Fotofocus (pp. 59). Cincinnati, Ohio: Fotofocus.
Whitaker, J. (2012). Photos compare '30s Ohio with today (Jan 1, 2012). Columbus, OH: Columbus Dispatch.
Presentations
Visiting Artist, University of Western Michigan, Kalamazoo, MI (2019). Public presentation on my photographic research, conducted one-on-one critiques of undergraduate research, and conducted a day-long workshop for undergraduates in the photography program at WMU.
Midwest Society of Photographic Education, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, When Things Go Missing (2018).
Fotofocus, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, Evidence, Panel Participant (2016).
After the Moment Artist/Curator Talk, Contemporary Art Center Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH (2016).
Gallery 249, Department of Art and Design, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, Gallery talk regarding Faith, Reason, and One-Hour Processing (2015).
Radio, Cincinnati Explores Mapplethorpe 25 Years After the Moment. http://wyso.org/post/cincinnati-explores-mapplethorpe-25-years-after-moment#stream/0. (October 18, 2015)
Miller Center for the Arts, Urbana University, Urbana, Ohio, Gallery talk regarding Cities Exhibition (2013).
Wright State University photography program, Fairborn, OH, Joel Whitaker, Survey of Personal Photographic Research (2012).
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES 2012-2022
I have been an active and productive member of this department, college, university, and the Dayton arts community. I have served on, and many times chaired, many, if not all the department standing committees, as well as department adhoc committees. I have been particularly engaged in curriculum, facilities, and assessment. I have served in varying capacities with department and university faculty and administrators, worked with community arts related spaces and administrators in particular the CO (formally the Dayton Visual Art Center), organized off campus and on-campus student exhibitions, regularly participate in faculty related exhibitions and events, and developed relationships with professionals and vendors from across the area. My service has generally aligned with my academic interests, been extensive and engaged, and I rarely declined when asked and always offered what I could by way of assistance. Following is a brief listing of my service accomplishments.
Chair, Department of Art and Design. Oversee the daily operations of the Department of Art and Design. Including but not limited to facilities planning, budgeting, staff and faculty hiring, and all policies and procedures relevant to the department's ongoing growth and success (2019-2023).
Chair, Glass Center for the Arts Working Invitational, CAS. Charged by the Dean CAS and the Provost to recommend criteria that inform the PARC regarding selections of permanent art for the Glass Center (2022-2023).
Chair, Glass Center for the Arts Staffing Working Invitational, CAS. Charged by the Dean CAS to develop a rationale and plan for staffing the Glass Center for the Arts (2022).
Co-Chair, Public Art Review Committee, University. Work with colleagues from across the university to design and implement a public art policy and review public art related issues for the university, meet with university administration, set agenda, and discuss all public art placement proposals across campus (2022-2023).
HUB Art Committee (Dayton Arcade), University/Community. Meet regularly to discuss and plan for the installation of work and related activities (2021-ongoing).
Dean's Executive Council, CAS. Meet regularly with CAS Dean and department chairs to discuss issues relevant to the ongoing workings of the college (2019-2023).
University Center for the Arts planning committee, University. Meet regularly with colleagues from across the university to review and discuss plans for the new University Center for the Arts (2019-2023).
Public Art Review Committee, University. Faculty representative. Work with colleagues from across the university to design and implement a public art policy and review public art related issues for the university (2018-2023).
Donation and exhibition, Alzheimer’s Association Fundraiser, Dana L. Wiley Gallery, Dayton, OH (2022).
CAS Advisory Council, CAS. Coordinated students to represent the department and met with the college advisory council to tour and discuss A&D HUB spaces (2021).
Search Committee, CAS, for the Associate Dean for Assessment and Program Review (2021).
Arcade planning/department expansion, CAS. Met with Vince Lewis of the Crotty Center, representatives from IACT and the School and Engineering to discuss and plan for the upcoming department expansion into the Arcade for the fall of 2021. Tour the Arcade, met with IT and designers to discuss and plan for facility access, maintenance, FFEs, and IT support (2019-2020).
FH 2nd and 4th floor planning/department expansion, CAS. Meet with representatives from the college, university Facilities, and architects to discuss and plan for department expansion (2019-ongoing).
Member, Society of Photographic Education. Attend and participate in regional and national conferences. Meet with colleagues and curators from across the US to discuss creative scholarship and issues facing photographic education (ongoing).
Member, The Contemporary Dayton, Dayton, OH. Attend and assist as needed with various operations and participate in community arts activities and exhibitions (ongoing).
Member, Dutoit Gallery, Dayton, OH, non-profit co-op gallery. Assist in programing and general governance (2018-2022).
Donation and exhibition, Contemporary Dayton annual auction, Dayton, OH (ongoing).
Donation and exhibition, University of Montevallo annual auction, Montevallo, AL (ongoing).
Donation and exhibition, Stivers School of the Arts annual auction, Dayton, OH (ongoing).
Kennedy Union Stairwell Renewal, University of Dayton. Meet regularly with UD Marketing, Administrators, faculty, and students, to review, discuss, and recommend proposals for renovations of KU stairwells (2019).
Exhibitions Committee, DVAC/the Contemporary Dayton, Dayton, OH. Review exhibition applications, discuss and implement guidelines, procedures, and business-related issues (2015-19).
Dayton Visual Arts Center, Dayton, OH. Mentored student's participation in the DVAC Cline Show (2016, 2017, & 2018).
External Reviewer, Art Academy of Cincinnati College of Art and Design Senior Winter Expo, Cincinnati, OH (2018). Reviewed and evaluated Art Academy of Cincinnati College of Art and Design students.
Co-Chair Stander Symposium, University. Work with the Stander Committee to implement recommended changes to committee governance and the symposium in general. Plan for the annual Stander Symposium and report to the administration re the symposium (2016-2018).
Student Organization Effort, off-campus exhibition of student photographs. Organized and mentored an exhibition of Alternative Photography course student work at Index Gallery, Front Street Galleries (2017).
Academic Senate, Arts Representative, University. Reviewed various topics, proposals, and documents throughout the term relevant to university governance (2016-2017).
Faculty Affairs Committee, University. Charge from Academic Senate; propose promotion and rank and practices to be reviewed by the full senate for inclusion in Faculty Handbook re Clinical Faculty (2016-2017).
Portfolio Reviewer, Mid-West SPE conference, Regional. Served as a Portfolio Reviewer of Student Photographic Portfolios at the MW Regional Society of Photographic Education Annual conference (2017).
External Reviewer, Tenure Application, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA (2017).
Portfolio Reviewer, National Society of Photographic Education Conference. Reviewed Professional photographic portfolios at the Society of Photographic Education National Conference (2017).
External Reviewer, Otterbein University, Westerville, OH. Long Range Program Development for the Department of Art. Conducted on-site visit consisting of interviews and assessment of curriculum and facilities (2017).
Donation and exhibition, ArtWorks, Cincinnati, OH. Assist in fund raising for ArtWorks, an arts outreach organization (2014- 2016).
CAS Stewardship of Resources and Space, University. Member of committee that met with outside facilitator to discuss and make recommendations re university resources and space use (2016).
Advisor SMART Sessions Special Interest Housing, University (2015-2016).
Stander Symposium Task Force, University. Worked with 9 faculty, staff, and administrators from across the university to review, discuss, and make recommendations to the Provost’s office re "...advancing Stander in the future." (2015).
Academic Senate, Arts Representative, University. Reviewed various topics, proposals, and documents throughout the term relevant to university governance (2015).
Faculty Affairs Committee, University. Charge from Academic Senate; review UNRC Bylaws and review Clinical Appointments and the use of clinical titles (2015).
Ohio Art Educators Association, Off-Site Workshop, conducted alternative photographic practice workshop for 7 conference attendees (2015).
Reader, The Hiroshima and Nagasaki 8:15 Vigil and Exhibit. Wilmington College Peace Resource Center (2015).
Gallery tour and discussion of the exhibition Faith, Reason, and One-Hour Processing, met with over 45 CORE students and related faculty to discuss the exhibition (2015).
Juror, Miami Valley Regional Art, Scholastic and Writing Awards (2015).
Title 9 Investigator, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH. Attend Title 9 Investigator training sessions for the University (2014).
Conducted gallery tour of DVAC exhibition for visiting scholar Wolfgang Auer. In association with the Center for International Programs. Conducted a gallery tour of Variations on Likeness exhibition for a visiting scholar from Germany (2014).
Panel discussion. Chaired panel discussion with participating artists, Variations on Likeness exhibition at the Dayton Visual Art Center, Dayton, OH (2014).
Board of Trustees, Dayton Visual Art Center, Dayton, OH. Oversee all Board and organization business and work with Executive Director in planning and implementation (2011-2016).
Secretary, Dayton Visual Arts Center Board of Trustees, Dayton, OH (2014-2016).
Facilities Committee, Dayton Visual Arts Center, Dayton, OH. Review facilities, lease, and plan for future facility expansion (2015-2017).
President, Board of Trustees, Dayton Visual Arts Center, Dayton, OH. Guided the organization through a year of major change with the hiring of new Executive Director and turn over on the Board (2011-2014).
Secured outside funding to support awards for student artworks for the Department’s annual Horvath Exhibition (ongoing).
BlueSky Collaborative, Dayton, OH. Blue Sky Planning committee. Work with Blue Sky director in selection of participating summer artists, determine organization’s campus and community presence and collaborative possibilities for downtown Dayton exhibition spaces (2009-2012).
Advisory Board, Planning committee for the Midwest Society of Photographic Education annual meeting, Cincinnati, OH (2012).
External Reviewer, Tenure Application for a faculty member at Kent State University, Kent, OH (2012).
External Reviewer, Tenure Application for a faculty member at University of Michigan Flint, Flint, MI (2012).
NCR Archive exhibition Humanities Center, College. Worked with the Humanities Chair and NCR archive to curate and exhibition of photographs for permanent installation in the Jesse Phillips Humanities Center (2012).
Hosted Mac on Campus for equipment demonstrations and student interaction (2012).