Assistant Professor of Studio Practice: Hip Hop

JOB TITLE: Assistant Professor of Studio Practice: Hip Hop
DEPARTMENT:   School of Dance
REPORTS TO:  Dean
Summary:
The School of Dance at the University of the Arts, under the leadership of Donna Faye Burchfield, encourages undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty, to boldly take risks in the process of discovering and transforming ourselves, each other, and by extension, the world. A large school situated within a forward-thinking university for the visual and performing arts in Philadelphia, the School of Dance reimagines the depth and rigor of a discipline-based dance conservatory by pursuing a pedagogy that interweaves practice, theory and the development of critical thinking to actively motivate students and the development of their research. The School of Dance relies heavily on a collaborative interdisciplinary network of artists, mentors and scholars to foster critical conversations about the meanings, purposes, and potentialities of dance and performance in contemporary society. The undergraduate program (BFA) asks students to develop the ability to think critically and build their identity as artists. This program is divided into two parts: the Foundation Series (for 1st and 2nd year students) and Portfolio & Research Series (for 3rd and 4th year students). The study of Hip Hop is integral to both the Foundation and Research & Portfolio Series in the BFA curriculum, forming a site of expansive critical practice for every student in our school. Theories, pedagogies and practices of Hip Hop inform students' creative work, studio practice and their research within improvisation, critical studies and civic/communal assembly. The graduate (MFA) program aims to rethink inherited practices and consider an inclusive global future for the field by departing from a traditional educational format proposing instead the manifestation of temporary schools that create and enliven experimental and emergent pedagogies. The School of Dance seeks to open up student-driven pathways and expand the ways students can access, think about, and reimagine the practices and techniques of making and performing dance - valuing their skill, commitment and the urgency of their ambitions as capable of developing new and critical perspectives in dance.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
The School of Dance seeks a full time Assistant Professor of Studio Practice: Hip Hop beginning in the 2022-23 academic year. The position is a 3-year appointment with potential for renewal. Candidates should bring to the curriculum inclusive, equitable and diverse pedagogical approaches.

  • Teaching Hip Hop, black vernacular and/or street dance forms in the Studio

  • Practice curriculum offered at the undergraduate level

  • Ability to teach one or more courses each academic year within the Critical Studies curriculum situated at the intersection of creative practice and critical reflection

  •  Staging and coaching repertory and/or creating new work for and with students

  • Mentoring senior projects and/or MFA thesis work, and/or leading capstone courses at all levels

  • Contributing to the development of a new curricular area that gathers student interests around diasporic formations and creative practices

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent; they do not purport to describe all functions.  Incumbent may be assigned other duties, and the essential functions may change from time to time as necessary.

Education:

  • Terminal degree required

Experience:

  • Demonstrated university teaching skills and professional experience within the US and/or abroad

About The University:

University of the Arts’ mission is simple: to advance human creativity. Established in 1876, UArts believes creativity is the most essential skill for success in today’s society and has educated generations of groundbreaking artists, performers, designers and creative leaders for more than 141 years.  After being granted university status in 1987, University of the Arts became the largest institution of its kind in the nation, offering programs in design, fine arts, media arts, crafts, music, dance, theater and writing. It now features 30 undergraduate arts majors, 15 graduate programs and the nation’s first PhD program in Creativity. UArts is also home to innovative centers across disciplines, including the Center for Immersive Media, Lightbox Film Center, Philadelphia Art Alliance and Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery. Learn more about UArts.

TO APPLY: Interested, qualified applicants should submit to the Human Resources Department via email to jobs@uarts.edu

  • A letter of application detailing qualifications

  • An up-to-date CV

  • Statement of teaching philosophy

  • Video of recent professional and/or personal work

  • Contact information for three professional references

Please ensure “Assistant Professor of Studio Practice in Dance” in the subject line
Prospective candidates are encouraged to submit necessary application materials as soon as possible.
Applications for this position will begin to be reviewed on March 15, 2022.

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