Department Chair & The Mary Lois Wheatley Presidential Chair in Art & Art History
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Full-time
Education
Posted on April 11, 2024
Posting Details
The University of Utah, an AA/EO employer, encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.
Position Information
Proposed Faculty Rank
Professor
Department
00070 - College of Fine Arts-Dean
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Track
Tenure Track
New Position to Begin
July 1, 2024
Details
The College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah, the flagship institution of higher education in the state of Utah, invites nominations and applications for an innovative leader to serve as the next Chair of its Department of Art & Art History. This individual will also hold the endowed Mary Lois Wheatley Presidential Chair in Art & Art History. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2024. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, the Chair is the administrative head of the Department, overseeing its personnel, operations, finances, curriculum, and strategic direction, and acting as the Department's representative and advocate within the College, University, and wider community.
The Department of Art & Art History is home to an active community of artists, scholars, and educators, and offers undergraduate degrees in Studio Art, Art History, Art Teaching, and Graphic Design, as well as graduate degrees in Studio Art, Art History, and Community-Based Art Education. A commitment to excellence in all of these areas is the hallmark of our Department. This is an exciting, transformational moment in our history, as we continue to refine this commitment within the dynamic contexts of art and art history in the twenty-first century. We seek a Chair with a holistic understanding of visual arts as an evolving and interconnected set of practices for creative, cultural, and personal expression. The new Chair will have a successful record of transparent, collaborative leadership, with the interpersonal and communication skills needed to work with diverse groups to achieve meaningful change. Our ideal candidate will have a clear perspective on current trends and challenges in the fine arts in higher education and beyond and will offer a compelling and unifying vision for how the Department will meet those challenges and continue to thrive in the future.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
· Terminal degree ( MFA or PhD) in visual art, graphic design, art history, or a related field.
· A distinguished record of creative or scholarly achievement in the study and/or practice of visual arts and design commensurate with a faculty appointment at the rank of a tenured Associate Professor or Professor, including a body of work that represents a significant contribution to the field; demonstrated excellence in post-secondary teaching; and evidence of an active, ongoing program of creative or scholarly research.
· Significant leadership, administrative, and supervisory experience, including strategic and financial planning, curricular innovation, and recruitment and retention of faculty, staff, and students.
· Evidence of a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with demonstrated ability to lead effective change in diverse groups.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chair will (1) guide the efforts of a well-respected faculty to establish a strategic vision for art education and scholarship within the context of a major research university; (2) provide collaborative, transparent, and empathetic leadership for the Department; (3) sustain and enhance the reputation of the Department both nationally and internationally; (4) serve the Department in official business with University authorities, students, and the public; (5) create and support professional development initiatives for faculty and staff; (6) foster and encourage faculty research; (7) promote student success through recruitment and retention efforts; (8) oversee curricular activities, including ongoing efforts to modernize our curricula; (9) administer school finances, resources, and facilities; (10) engage in donor relationships and funds development; and (11) be an active participant as a member of the Executive Committee of the College of Fine Arts in furthering the College's goals and mission.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Art & Art History is home to over 500 undergraduate and graduate majors, served by a faculty of award-winning artists and educators and distinguished scholars and supported by a highly experienced, professional staff. The Department presently offers a BA and MA in Art History; a BFA and MFA in Art with emphases in books arts, ceramics, illustration, painting and drawing, photography and digital imaging, printmaking, and sculpture/intermedia; an MFA in Community-Based Art Education; a BFA in Art Teaching; and a BFA in Graphic Design.
The rich heritage of art education at the University of Utah began in 1869, when the then-University of Deseret offered its first class in drawing. The painter and photographer George Ottinger arrived in 1882 to supervise drawing courses taught by visiting instructors. In 1888, an Art Department was approved to offer a four-year program focusing on drawing, oil painting, and life drawing. The University of Deseret reformed as the University of Utah in 1892 and, within the University, the School of Art and Sciences was formed in 1901. The School contained a new Art Department. The School of Fine Arts made its first appearance in 1947 and was renamed in 1948 as the College of Fine Arts. Art degrees were offered at the end of a four-year program. An MFA in Art was first offered in 1948, and a Masters of Art in Art History was first offered in 1969. The Art History area was approved in 1995 as an undergraduate program. In 1996, the Department successfully petitioned for a name change to Department of Art & Art History.
Additional information about the Department of Art & Art History can be found at https://art.utah.edu.
THE COLLEGE
The Department of Art & Art History is one of five academic units in the College of Fine Arts, along with Dance, Film & Media Arts, Music, and Theatre. The University also has four professional arts affiliates: Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Pioneer Theatre Company,Tanner Dance, and Utah Presents.
THE UNIVERSITY
The University of Utah is the state's public flagship institution of higher education with an enrollment of approximately 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offers 111 undergraduate and over 100 graduate degree programs. A member of the American Association of Universities ( AAU), the University of Utah is classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the 146 research universities with the “highest research activity” in the nation. The university has been named by Forbes as one of the top ten employers in the state and recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best national universities. The University of Utah has several campus-wide initiatives that contribute to a rich campus climate, attract academic and professional talent, improve access to higher education for historically underrepresented groups, and strengthen the U's ability to educate the next generation of leaders.
SALT LAKE CITY
The University is located in Salt Lake City at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains. Routinely ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S., Salt Lake City is the center of a metropolitan area of over one million residents, with unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation, a major international airport, and extensive arts and cultural activities. The city is home to a number of major art museums and galleries, including Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, and Modern West.
APPLICATION
Please submit (1) a letter of application, not to exceed three pages, addressing the position's qualifications and responsibilities, and including a statement of philosophy that addresses leadership of a comprehensive department of art and art history; (2) curriculum vitae; and (3) names and contact information for five references. Candidates will be notified before references are contacted. Applications must be submitted electronically at https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/153895. Screening of applications will begin November 15, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. For additional information, please contact search committee chair Dr. Andrew Patrick Nelson (ap.nelson@utah.edu).
EEO/Non-Discrimination Information
All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at:
https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
Notice
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
Special Instructions for Candidates
Applications must be submitted electronically at https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/153895. Screening of applications will begin November 15, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. For additional information, please contact search committee chair Dr. Andrew Patrick Nelson (ap.nelson@utah.edu).
Open Date
10/02/2023
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Requisition Number
PRN01113CF
Type
Faculty
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Required Documents
The University of Utah, an AA/EO employer, encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.
Position Information
Proposed Faculty Rank
Professor
Department
00070 - College of Fine Arts-Dean
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Track
Tenure Track
New Position to Begin
July 1, 2024
Details
The College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah, the flagship institution of higher education in the state of Utah, invites nominations and applications for an innovative leader to serve as the next Chair of its Department of Art & Art History. This individual will also hold the endowed Mary Lois Wheatley Presidential Chair in Art & Art History. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2024. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, the Chair is the administrative head of the Department, overseeing its personnel, operations, finances, curriculum, and strategic direction, and acting as the Department's representative and advocate within the College, University, and wider community.
The Department of Art & Art History is home to an active community of artists, scholars, and educators, and offers undergraduate degrees in Studio Art, Art History, Art Teaching, and Graphic Design, as well as graduate degrees in Studio Art, Art History, and Community-Based Art Education. A commitment to excellence in all of these areas is the hallmark of our Department. This is an exciting, transformational moment in our history, as we continue to refine this commitment within the dynamic contexts of art and art history in the twenty-first century. We seek a Chair with a holistic understanding of visual arts as an evolving and interconnected set of practices for creative, cultural, and personal expression. The new Chair will have a successful record of transparent, collaborative leadership, with the interpersonal and communication skills needed to work with diverse groups to achieve meaningful change. Our ideal candidate will have a clear perspective on current trends and challenges in the fine arts in higher education and beyond and will offer a compelling and unifying vision for how the Department will meet those challenges and continue to thrive in the future.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
· Terminal degree ( MFA or PhD) in visual art, graphic design, art history, or a related field.
· A distinguished record of creative or scholarly achievement in the study and/or practice of visual arts and design commensurate with a faculty appointment at the rank of a tenured Associate Professor or Professor, including a body of work that represents a significant contribution to the field; demonstrated excellence in post-secondary teaching; and evidence of an active, ongoing program of creative or scholarly research.
· Significant leadership, administrative, and supervisory experience, including strategic and financial planning, curricular innovation, and recruitment and retention of faculty, staff, and students.
· Evidence of a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with demonstrated ability to lead effective change in diverse groups.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chair will (1) guide the efforts of a well-respected faculty to establish a strategic vision for art education and scholarship within the context of a major research university; (2) provide collaborative, transparent, and empathetic leadership for the Department; (3) sustain and enhance the reputation of the Department both nationally and internationally; (4) serve the Department in official business with University authorities, students, and the public; (5) create and support professional development initiatives for faculty and staff; (6) foster and encourage faculty research; (7) promote student success through recruitment and retention efforts; (8) oversee curricular activities, including ongoing efforts to modernize our curricula; (9) administer school finances, resources, and facilities; (10) engage in donor relationships and funds development; and (11) be an active participant as a member of the Executive Committee of the College of Fine Arts in furthering the College's goals and mission.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Art & Art History is home to over 500 undergraduate and graduate majors, served by a faculty of award-winning artists and educators and distinguished scholars and supported by a highly experienced, professional staff. The Department presently offers a BA and MA in Art History; a BFA and MFA in Art with emphases in books arts, ceramics, illustration, painting and drawing, photography and digital imaging, printmaking, and sculpture/intermedia; an MFA in Community-Based Art Education; a BFA in Art Teaching; and a BFA in Graphic Design.
The rich heritage of art education at the University of Utah began in 1869, when the then-University of Deseret offered its first class in drawing. The painter and photographer George Ottinger arrived in 1882 to supervise drawing courses taught by visiting instructors. In 1888, an Art Department was approved to offer a four-year program focusing on drawing, oil painting, and life drawing. The University of Deseret reformed as the University of Utah in 1892 and, within the University, the School of Art and Sciences was formed in 1901. The School contained a new Art Department. The School of Fine Arts made its first appearance in 1947 and was renamed in 1948 as the College of Fine Arts. Art degrees were offered at the end of a four-year program. An MFA in Art was first offered in 1948, and a Masters of Art in Art History was first offered in 1969. The Art History area was approved in 1995 as an undergraduate program. In 1996, the Department successfully petitioned for a name change to Department of Art & Art History.
Additional information about the Department of Art & Art History can be found at https://art.utah.edu.
THE COLLEGE
The Department of Art & Art History is one of five academic units in the College of Fine Arts, along with Dance, Film & Media Arts, Music, and Theatre. The University also has four professional arts affiliates: Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Pioneer Theatre Company,Tanner Dance, and Utah Presents.
THE UNIVERSITY
The University of Utah is the state's public flagship institution of higher education with an enrollment of approximately 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offers 111 undergraduate and over 100 graduate degree programs. A member of the American Association of Universities ( AAU), the University of Utah is classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the 146 research universities with the “highest research activity” in the nation. The university has been named by Forbes as one of the top ten employers in the state and recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best national universities. The University of Utah has several campus-wide initiatives that contribute to a rich campus climate, attract academic and professional talent, improve access to higher education for historically underrepresented groups, and strengthen the U's ability to educate the next generation of leaders.
SALT LAKE CITY
The University is located in Salt Lake City at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains. Routinely ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S., Salt Lake City is the center of a metropolitan area of over one million residents, with unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation, a major international airport, and extensive arts and cultural activities. The city is home to a number of major art museums and galleries, including Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, and Modern West.
APPLICATION
Please submit (1) a letter of application, not to exceed three pages, addressing the position's qualifications and responsibilities, and including a statement of philosophy that addresses leadership of a comprehensive department of art and art history; (2) curriculum vitae; and (3) names and contact information for five references. Candidates will be notified before references are contacted. Applications must be submitted electronically at https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/153895. Screening of applications will begin November 15, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. For additional information, please contact search committee chair Dr. Andrew Patrick Nelson (ap.nelson@utah.edu).
EEO/Non-Discrimination Information
All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at:
https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
Notice
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
Special Instructions for Candidates
Applications must be submitted electronically at https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/153895. Screening of applications will begin November 15, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. For additional information, please contact search committee chair Dr. Andrew Patrick Nelson (ap.nelson@utah.edu).
Open Date
10/02/2023
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Requisition Number
PRN01113CF
Type
Faculty
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- List of References
- Appropriate discharge document (such as a DD-214 – Member Copy 4) – Veteran Only – Call 801.581.2169
- Addendum to the University of Utah - Veteran Only - Call 801.581.2169 after submission
- Applicant Document - Other
