Application Deadline: January 13, 2020

The VCUarts Department of Sculpture and Extended Media at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia is seeking a dynamic chairperson to join and lead the department. The Sculpture and Extended Media program is a recognized leader in visual arts education and ranked #1 in the country, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report’s graduate ranking. Curators, arts administrators, artist/teachers and others working in arts nonprofits, academia, or related critical/theoretical disciplines are encouraged to apply. 

The Department of Sculpture and Extended Media is led by a diverse and accomplished group of working artists. The program promotes a fluid exploration of the transformative possibilities of art within the context of the critical, socio-political, philosophical and technological conditions shaping the world today. The program offers MFA and BFA degrees with 12 graduate students and over 100 undergraduate majors in the department. The department is currently staffed with seven full-time faculty, an assistant chair, a fiscal administrator, and two full-time technical faculty. The Department occupies over 50,000 square feet of studio and shop space, and offers students an immersive learning experience, drawing from legacy techniques to the most progressive approaches to contemporary art making.

Role
The Chair will build strong and effective relationships throughout VCU’s academic communities while enhancing a culture of intellectual discourse, inquiry, and professional excellence. The Chair will be deft and equitable administrators with fiscal experience while balancing a deep interest and commitment to critical theory, contemporary studio practice and arts pedagogy. The Chair will be an enthusiastic advocate for the department, possessing interpersonal skills to engage and work with a large and diverse faculty, staff, and student body. The Chair will work toward broadening participation among members of underrepresented groups, leading the integration of inclusive perspectives into the culture and curriculum of the department.

Required qualifications
–A significant national or international resume to lead a nationally highly ranked program
–Master’s degree or equivalent academic or arts administrative experience is required
–Demonstrated competence in creating a trusting and inclusive culture; experience recruiting, hiring, and retaining under-represented faculty and staff, and leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion among all students, faculty and staff
–Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU
–Proven administrative skills
–A well-developed scholarly, creative or professional portfolio with the potential for multi-disciplinary applications
–The Chair have a well-established creative practice and research agenda, and a demonstrated ability and/or clear potential to develop and obtain external funding, as appropriate, and potential for scholarship or creative expression that complements and expands existing expertise in the department and School
–Good humor, flexibility, and passion for developing a dynamic, forward-thinking program are a must.
–Experience developing and leading in a highly ambitious and collegial team environment
–Excellent time management and communication skills; adept at speaking to large audiences.

Application process/additional information
To apply, please submit application materials via VCU eJobs. Only electronic applications submitted via eJobs will be accepted.

Read more about VCUarts here.

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