New River Community College
Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance - VCUarts
New River Community College, Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23214
Overview
Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance
Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts
Anticipated Start Fall 2025
Chair Appointment Term 10 months (August 2 through May 30). It is anticipated that the Chair will serve for a period of up to five years, with the option to serve as Chair for an additional period of up to three years. Upon completion of the leadership appointment, the Chair will be provided with a 9-month faculty position in their area of expertise. A semester-long research reassignment will be provided after the Chair appointment ends to facilitate a return to teaching.
Rank Associate/full Professor
Tenure Expedited tenure review is available to streamline the university's tenure decisions for new faculty hires who were already tenured at their previous institution and is potentially available to a new Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance who has been a tenured Full or Associate Professor at their previous institution.
Salary Commensurate with experience. Generous benefits available.
Location Richmond, Virginia
Application Deadline For best consideration, applications are due by April 12, 2025.
Position Context The Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts) is excited to announce an opportunity for an impactful, visionary, and collaboration-oriented academic leader to serve as the inaugural Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, pending approval of the department by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The Chair reports to the Senior Director of the Performing Arts Group and the Dean and is supported by academic and administrative staff. The Chair serves as a mentor to faculty, collaborates with administrative leaders and staff, and advocates for the department from a perspective that aligns with the School and department missions. The Chair leads faculty in processes that shape the curriculum and research activities, and articulates the department and School missions to internal and external audiences. The Chair establishes an inclusive and welcoming academic environment that encourages engagement, participation, collegiality, and respect.
Pending SCHEV approval, the Department currently occupies multiple spaces and will move to the CoStar Center for Arts and Innovation (CCAI) in late 2027. The CCAI will feature flexible classroom spaces and interdisciplinary venues. Theatre and Dance enrolls more than 300 students and will pursue approvals to function as a singular department by the 2025-2026 academic year. The department will continue to grant program-specific degrees and maintain curricula unique to those programs.
Theatre Theatre has 18 full-time faculty, 13 graduate students, and 237 undergraduate students. The mainstage season includes four fully produced shows per academic year, plus opportunities for collaborative events and performances with award-winning improv teams.
Dance and Choreography Dance and Choreography has six full-time faculty and 66 undergraduate students. The program produces two to three major shows per academic year, including Senior Productions and Dance Now. Students learn from guest faculty and visiting artists.
Faculty in Theatre and Dance participate in a wide range of disciplines, benefiting from an R1 university environment that supports faculty research. The Programs have an active roster of adjunct and visiting faculty, contributing to a dynamic arts community.
Leadership and Administrative Expectations The Department Chair ensures the success of faculty, staff, and students. Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
Articulating a direction and goals for the department aligned with School and university initiatives.
Participating in collaboration efforts within VCUarts and across other VCU schools and programs.
Managing and optimizing the department budget and resources (facilities, faculty, etc.).
Developing partnerships with local, national, and international organizations to enhance the department's and School's reputation and opportunities for students and faculty.
Coordinating curriculum development and discipline-specific accreditation.
Overseeing all faculty mentoring, service assignments, promotion and tenure reviews, work plans, workloads, hiring activities, and annual reviews.
Managing day-to-day student affairs, including planning of community-engaged activities and events.
Collaborating with the VCUarts recruitment and admissions team to support student recruitment, admission, and retention activities.
Coordinating interactions with alumni, donors, and visiting artists/scholars.
Teaching in the Chair's area of expertise with a 1/1 teaching load, providing direct interaction with students and modeling scholarship.
Qualifications
MFA or PhD in one of the areas represented in the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Knowledge of the higher education landscape, research, and professional practices in performing arts.
A minimum of five years of university-level teaching experience beyond TA/adjunct roles.
Experience in academic administration or demonstrated leadership in institutional service or the field.
Established research agenda with a significant performance and/or scholarly record, external funding, and contributions to scholarship or creative practice.
Experience developing and leading a highly ambitious and collegial team environment.
Effective collaborative and communication skills.
Demonstrated commitment to an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with diverse faculty, staff, and students.
Consideration Process and Instructions To apply, please submit application materials via the VCU Jobs website. Only electronic applications will be accepted.
The following documents should be submitted:
Cover Letter outlining professional experience and research interests.
Curriculum Vitae
Teaching statement addressing philosophy of teaching and mentorship approach.
List of five professional references including names, titles, and contact information. References will not be contacted without candidate approval.
For best consideration, materials must be submitted by April 12, 2025.
Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to providing accessible and equitable living, learning and working environments free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability.
Position Type:
Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent:
100%
Tenure:
Open
Rank:
Open
Months:
10
Department:
Department of Theatre and Dance, School of the Arts
Salary:
Commensurate with experience. Generous benefits available.
Contact Information:
Contact Name:
VCUarts Human Resources
Contact Email:
artshr@vcu.edu
Contact Phone:
(804) 828-2787
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Anticipated Start Fall 2025
Chair Appointment Term 10 months (August 2 through May 30). It is anticipated that the Chair will serve for a period of up to five years, with the option to serve as Chair for an additional period of up to three years. Upon completion of the leadership appointment, the Chair will be provided with a 9-month faculty position in their area of expertise. A semester-long research reassignment will be provided after the Chair appointment ends to facilitate a return to teaching.
Rank Associate/full Professor
Tenure Expedited tenure review is available to streamline the university's tenure decisions for new faculty hires who were already tenured at their previous institution and is potentially available to a new Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance who has been a tenured Full or Associate Professor at their previous institution.
Salary Commensurate with experience. Generous benefits available.
Location Richmond, Virginia
Application Deadline For best consideration, applications are due by April 12, 2025.
Position Context The Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts) is excited to announce an opportunity for an impactful, visionary, and collaboration-oriented academic leader to serve as the inaugural Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, pending approval of the department by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The Chair reports to the Senior Director of the Performing Arts Group and the Dean and is supported by academic and administrative staff. The Chair serves as a mentor to faculty, collaborates with administrative leaders and staff, and advocates for the department from a perspective that aligns with the School and department missions. The Chair leads faculty in processes that shape the curriculum and research activities, and articulates the department and School missions to internal and external audiences. The Chair establishes an inclusive and welcoming academic environment that encourages engagement, participation, collegiality, and respect.
Pending SCHEV approval, the Department currently occupies multiple spaces and will move to the CoStar Center for Arts and Innovation (CCAI) in late 2027. The CCAI will feature flexible classroom spaces and interdisciplinary venues. Theatre and Dance enrolls more than 300 students and will pursue approvals to function as a singular department by the 2025-2026 academic year. The department will continue to grant program-specific degrees and maintain curricula unique to those programs.
Theatre Theatre has 18 full-time faculty, 13 graduate students, and 237 undergraduate students. The mainstage season includes four fully produced shows per academic year, plus opportunities for collaborative events and performances with award-winning improv teams.
Dance and Choreography Dance and Choreography has six full-time faculty and 66 undergraduate students. The program produces two to three major shows per academic year, including Senior Productions and Dance Now. Students learn from guest faculty and visiting artists.
Faculty in Theatre and Dance participate in a wide range of disciplines, benefiting from an R1 university environment that supports faculty research. The Programs have an active roster of adjunct and visiting faculty, contributing to a dynamic arts community.
Leadership and Administrative Expectations The Department Chair ensures the success of faculty, staff, and students. Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
Articulating a direction and goals for the department aligned with School and university initiatives.
Participating in collaboration efforts within VCUarts and across other VCU schools and programs.
Managing and optimizing the department budget and resources (facilities, faculty, etc.).
Developing partnerships with local, national, and international organizations to enhance the department's and School's reputation and opportunities for students and faculty.
Coordinating curriculum development and discipline-specific accreditation.
Overseeing all faculty mentoring, service assignments, promotion and tenure reviews, work plans, workloads, hiring activities, and annual reviews.
Managing day-to-day student affairs, including planning of community-engaged activities and events.
Collaborating with the VCUarts recruitment and admissions team to support student recruitment, admission, and retention activities.
Coordinating interactions with alumni, donors, and visiting artists/scholars.
Teaching in the Chair's area of expertise with a 1/1 teaching load, providing direct interaction with students and modeling scholarship.
Qualifications
MFA or PhD in one of the areas represented in the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Knowledge of the higher education landscape, research, and professional practices in performing arts.
A minimum of five years of university-level teaching experience beyond TA/adjunct roles.
Experience in academic administration or demonstrated leadership in institutional service or the field.
Established research agenda with a significant performance and/or scholarly record, external funding, and contributions to scholarship or creative practice.
Experience developing and leading a highly ambitious and collegial team environment.
Effective collaborative and communication skills.
Demonstrated commitment to an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with diverse faculty, staff, and students.
Consideration Process and Instructions To apply, please submit application materials via the VCU Jobs website. Only electronic applications will be accepted.
The following documents should be submitted:
Cover Letter outlining professional experience and research interests.
Curriculum Vitae
Teaching statement addressing philosophy of teaching and mentorship approach.
List of five professional references including names, titles, and contact information. References will not be contacted without candidate approval.
For best consideration, materials must be submitted by April 12, 2025.
Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to providing accessible and equitable living, learning and working environments free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability.
Position Type:
Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent:
100%
Tenure:
Open
Rank:
Open
Months:
10
Department:
Department of Theatre and Dance, School of the Arts
Salary:
Commensurate with experience. Generous benefits available.
Contact Information:
Contact Name:
VCUarts Human Resources
Contact Email:
artshr@vcu.edu
Contact Phone:
(804) 828-2787
#J-18808-Ljbffr