Assistant or Associate Professor of Dance
About The Position
The Dance department invites applications for a full-time, Assistant or Associate Professor of Dance, to begin in the fall 2027 academic year. We are especially interested in advanced Assistant or recently tenured Associate Professors. We seek an accomplished artist-scholar with expertise in teaching contemporary and modern dance techniques, a distinguished record of professional creative achievement, and a demonstrated commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching within a liberal arts environment. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in contemporary and modern dance technique at beginning through advanced levels, choreograph an original work annually for Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre, and teach seminar and/or lecture courses that examine dance through critical, historical, cultural, and theoretical frameworks. We welcome applicants whose creative and scholarly work advances understandings of dance through diverse cultural, historical, aesthetic, and embodied perspectives. Experience with interdisciplinary artistic and scholarly collaboration is highly valued. The teaching load in the first year is the equivalent of four full credit courses, following which the load is the equivalent of five full credit courses per year, or four plus intensive work with students which typically involves directed student research. Responsibilities will include maintaining an active creative and/or scholarly practice, mentoring and advising undergraduate students in their artistic, academic and professional development. Additionally, contribution to the curriculum development and continued growth of the department while fostering interdisciplinary collaborations within the department and across the College is expected.
Requirements
- Ph.D., MFA or equivalent professional accomplishment in Dance or a closely related field at the time of appointment.
- Demonstrated excellence in teaching contemporary and modern dance technique at multiple levels as an academic and artist.
- A sustained record of professional creative work, including choreography and/or performance.
- Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, equitable, and student-centered pedagogy.
- Ability to contribute to the intellectual and artistic life of a liberal arts college through teaching, creative practice, scholarship, and service.
Nice To Haves
- Previous college-level teaching experience.
- An active professional network and sustained engagement within the contemporary and modern dance communities.
- Experience developing collaborative projects across artistic disciplines.
- A record of effective student mentorship and support for students’ academic, artistic, and professional growth.
- Experience integrating technologies such as video, photography, sound, and digital media into creative practice and/or teaching.
- Experience with interdisciplinary artistic and scholarly collaboration.
Responsibilities
- Teach undergraduate courses in contemporary and modern dance technique at beginning through advanced levels.
- Choreograph an original work annually for Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre.
- Teach seminar and/or lecture courses that examine dance through critical, historical, cultural, and theoretical frameworks.
- Maintain an active creative and/or scholarly practice.
- Mentor and advise undergraduate students in their artistic, academic and professional development.
- Contribute to the curriculum development and continued growth of the department.
- Foster interdisciplinary collaborations within the department and across the College.
Benefits
- Full-time employment
- Tenure track position (implied by Assistant/Associate Professor title and mention of 'recently tenured Associate Professors')
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
