James Madison University School of Art and Art History Director
The School of Art and Art History in the college of the Visual and Performing Arts at James Madison University seeks applications and nominations for the position of Director of the School. The position will be a tenured, 12-month appointment that will begin July 1, 2011, at the rank of Professor. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Candidates for the position should hold a terminal degree from an accredited institution in one of the fields represented by the School, demonstrate an outstanding record of professional achievement, have significant teaching experience at the college level, and a proven track record of leadership and successful university arts administrative experience.
The School seeks an individual who is committed to shared governance, collaborative vision building, and facilitating a collaborative working environment. The Director represents the goals and accomplishments of the academic unit within the university and beyond to effectively promote the academic and cultural programs, the faculty, staff and students. The Director’s responsibilities include recruiting students to the undergraduate and graduate programs and welcoming the community to cultural programs. The Director oversees the curriculum, its programs, the hiring and administration of faculty and staff, and the budget and facilities, to ensure that the content of the program promotes creative and critical thinking, openness and diversity. Lead by a nationally acclaimed design firm, a 100,000-square-foot renovation and expansion of the School’s existing buildings are now underway, and will further enrich the current mission of its program.
The School of Art and Art History provides an exceptional educational experience in the visual arts. The faculty members are known for their dedication to teaching and are recognized nationally and internationally for their research and creative activities. The NASAD, NCATE and CIDA accredited school includes 33 full-time faculty members, 6 staff, adjunct instructors, and over 500 majors. The School offers the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Fine Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees. A selective graduate program offers the Master of Arts and the Master of Fine Arts degrees. An active schedule of exhibitions and events contribute to the vital cultural presentations of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and make tangible the significance of cultural expression to the university and regional community.
The school is committed to offering students the highest quality preparation for the field of art, art history, art education and design; to promoting diversity through cultural expression; an understanding of the ability of the arts to enrich and educate at all levels; and the ambition for students to achieve excellence in the making and understanding of art. Students choose a course of study in Art History, Studio Art or Design. An accredited K-12 Art Education program is also available for all art and art history majors. Art History students pursue the BA degree within a liberal arts program of study that also offers further potential to interface with JMU interdisciplinary minors, such as Africana Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, or Asian Studies. Students in Studio Art select from eight areas of concentration: Animation, Fiber/Textiles, Ceramics, Metals and Jewelry, Photography, Painting and Drawing, Sculpture, and Printmaking. They may choose from the BA, the BFA or BS degree in General Fine Art. Industrial Design students pursue a BS degree. Graphic Design and Interior Design students pursue a BFA degree. The course of study in the design areas includes a strong professional focus, design conceptualization and new technologies with professional critiques and internships.
Located in beautiful and historic Shenandoah Valley of Northwest Virginia, 130 miles southwest of Washington, DC, James Madison University is a comprehensive, nationally top-ranked state university is defined as being highly selective with very high admissions standards drawing students from around the country, and especially from the Northeast. The College of Visual and Performing Arts brings together the Schools of Art and Art History, Music, and Theatre and Dance. With over 90 full-time faculty and 1200 majors, the College of Visual and Performing Arts comprises a vital and collaborative artistic community. The Schools of Art and Art History, Music, and Theatre and Dance are all fully accredited by their respective national accrediting organizations.
JMU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Access employer. We seek candidates who will contribute to the climate and body of diversity in the school and the development of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The School of Art and Art History strives to create an educational environment in which students and faculty facilitate constructive dialogue in the classroom and community to inspire responsible citizenship in a diverse world.
Required Candidate Qualifications: • Terminal degree in Art, Art History, Design, Art Education or related fields. • Full Professor. • Excellent record of teaching, scholarship, and service in higher education. • Experience and accomplishments in higher education academic leadership and administration. • Understanding of issues impacting the arts in higher education, as well as current trends in the various fields of the visual arts.
Preferred Candidate Qualifications: • Demonstrates successful university arts administrative experience to shape a progressive vision for the future of the SAAH that respects a range of disciplinary perspectives. • Demonstrates experience with undergraduate and graduate education in the visual arts. • Demonstrates experience in strategic planning, budgeting, programming, fundraising and community relations. • Demonstrates the ability to support and mentor the professional growth of faculty, staff and students. • Demonstrates past accomplishments in resource development for faculty research and scholarship. • Demonstrates ability to foster the continued development of a diverse department. • Demonstrates successful collaborations with others to form partnerships with K-12 schools and the community. • Demonstrates excellent record of success in working with students, faculty, colleagues in various disciplines, alumni, and the community. • Demonstrates an interest in creating opportunities and environments for students to interact with guest artists to enrich student experience and educational opportunities. • Demonstrates skills to foster interdisciplinary work in the SAAH and University community.
To apply for this position complete an online application at http://joblink.jmu.edu (search for posting #______) and include ONLINE: 1. A cover letter describing qualifications and administrative philosophy, 2. Vitae, 3. Contact information for three references. MAIL: 1. A copy of one published article or twenty examples of creative work with descriptions on CD or DVD, 2. Complete official university transcripts to Prof. Dietrich Maune, Chair, SAAH Director Search Committee, College of Visual and Performing Arts, MSC 2107, James Madison University, 800 South Main, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. Review of applications will begin on November 18th and continue until the position is filled.