Alfred University School of Art & Design invites applications for Director of Foundations. 

Appointment to begin August 2024 

The Director of Foundation position provides focused leadership within the school in addition to initiating broader programmatic strategies. The position offers a unique opportunity for a motivated individual with a vision to work collaboratively to generate a positive impact. This director will continue to cultivate a robust first-year visual arts experience that relates to our programs' character and legacy while sustaining a focus on the future- the next generation of culture creators. The Foundations experience at Alfred has historically been one that emphasized a progressive educational approach. We value experimentation, problem-solving, critical thinking, written and verbal communication skills, collaboration, idea generation, and various skills ( digital, hand, embodied). The program builds confidence while introducing students to being a university student, creative opportunities, and ways of working/thinking/knowing as they begin developing their individual voice through a fundamental understanding of the elements and principles of art and design while introducing them to diverse media and creative processes. 

We seek a highly energetic, creative, organized, and collaborative leader with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary art and design practice and a passion for Foundations. We value and promote the incorporation of both traditional and emerging technologies and teaching practices that provide our students with stimulating learning experiences that are relevant and essential for their success, confidence, and ability to pursue their passions. The successful candidate will thrive in a creative community through a multi­disciplinary approach to teaching arts & design fundamentals and student programming to support an inclusive, diverse, and multicultural student population. 

We seek candidates with a demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of diverse communities and related pedagogical approaches. Diversity is highly valued at Alfred University including a broad range of ability, age, gender, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic and academic experience, and veteran status. The successful candidate will have demonstrated an overall commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, including communicating and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. 

The Director of Foundations position is a twelve-month staff position. The Director will report directly to the dean and work closely with the Assistant Dean, the Division leadership, the faculty committee, office support staff and the admissions team. The Director will teach three courses a year including Foundations and a summer term or portfolio course. As a key member of academic leadership, the Director will serve on the Curriculum & Teaching Committee, Portfolio Review Committee, the Division Head Committee, and support MFA teaching assistants within Foundations. They will support efforts to hire part-time faculty as needed and oversee their mentoring and review. 

Salary: $70,000-$74,000

Duties:

The successful candidate will manage the Foundations Program; work with faculty in foundations to continue the recently updated curriculum to ensure it is safe, inspirational, and sustainable. The director will work with a foundations committee, supervise other instructors, manage budget, oversee scheduling, facilities, appropriate resources, record keeping, provide program assessment and manage the daily operations. The Director will work closely with enrollment management, the Assistant Dean and the Dean's office on recruitment and retention efforts including but not limited to Scholastic Art Awards, recruitment events, orientation, and special programming

Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in art and/or design or related or professional experience equivalent

• Knowledge of skills and practices across multiple disciplines

• Demonstrable experience in academic leadership or related experience

• 2 years of teaching experience

• Experience with strategic planning, budget, facilities, personnel, and assessment

• Demonstrated personnel management

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead an innovative Foundations Studio program

• Demonstrated ability in collaborative curriculum development

• Familiarity with the scholarly discourse on Foundation theory and practices in teaching and learning

Alfred University actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee, student or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Protected veterans, minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

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