Asst. Prof. of Modern/Contemporary Dance

Hampshire College • Amherst, MA

16d • $65,399 - $80,000

About The Position

Hampshire College, an experimental institution with a mission to advance social justice and transform higher education, is accepting applications for a full-time Assistant Professor of Modern/Contemporary Dance. The position begins July 1, 2026. We seek a dance artist/scholar actively engaged in the practice and theory of modern/contemporary dance with a record of excellence as a performer-choreographer and a proven commitment to undergraduate teaching, optimally in an undergraduate liberal arts program. Excellence in teaching modern/contemporary dance technique and choreography-composition at all levels of instruction is required. We are seeking experience in a range of areas of interest such as experimental or site-specific choreography, dance in the community, and dance history and performance studies would be welcome. The ideal candidate will integrate technical, creative, historical, cultural and scientific dimensions of dance into his or her teaching, and will have a broad knowledge of current practices and discourse in dance. We especially welcome candidates who emphasize current transnational and transcultural practices and who incorporate art historical, critical, and/or philosophical writings in their coursework. Applicants should demonstrate an aptitude for innovative undergraduate teaching and advising, and the ability to work effectively within a culturally diverse and multidisciplinary campus community. Overall, our faculty members are nimble: able to teach broadly from introductory to advanced levels and eager to contribute both core courses and inventive, transdisciplinary classes that cross boundaries, stimulate, and support project-based student work. In addition to teaching, the successful candidate will be expected to choreograph/set work on students, serve as artistic director of dance concerts, and mentor student choreography and research. Candidate will develop and oversee the vision, design and management of the Hampshire Dance Program and take on a leadership role in Five College Dance. A successful candidate should demonstrate experience and skills in program and curricular development and leadership. An MFA (or its equivalent) in dance is required. The Hampshire College Dance Program is a member of Five College Dance , comprised of the dance programs at Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. This collaboration makes FCD the largest dance program in New England. The FCD curriculum encourages students to balance performance and creative studies with a broad understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of different dance traditions. They may shape their studies in either traditional or interdisciplinary ways, reflecting the wide range of career options and new directions of the contemporary field. FCD offers around 100 courses a year, numerous performing opportunities, and a performing arts calendar equal to a major metropolis. Hampshire’s academic program is unique within higher education in the United States. Students draw from multiple disciplines and methodologies to develop their own concentrations, and every student completes a year-long substantial project synthesizing their course of study as a condition of graduation. Students are provided narrative evaluations of their work instead of grades. Our student community is distinctively diverse: this year 39% are BIPOC or international, 37.5% receive Pell Grants, approximately a third are neurodivergent, and a substantial majority identify as LGBTQIA+. Hampshire is a member of the Five College consortium (Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Massachusetts), and located in Amherst, MA. Building on its student-driven approach, Hampshire is implementing a radically new academic program that emphasizes urgent challenges, transdisciplinary, antiracism, community engagement, and project-based skills. We convene Learning Collaboratives that assemble faculty, students, and staff to address urgent questions developed by and voted on by the community. Additionally, Hampshire has implemented a “Race and Power” requirement that ensures students, staff, and faculty alike will engage in critical reflection on racial justice and equity throughout their Hampshire careers. In the letter of application, candidates are encouraged to explain how their teaching and scholarly/artistic work does or could contribute to this curricular and pedagogical vision. The successful candidate will: Teach 2-3 courses during each semester (Fall and Spring) Work in individual or group settings to advise and mentor an increasingly diverse body of Hampshire students Be eager to participate in continuous pedagogical experimentation

Requirements

• An MFA or equivalent terminal degree (in-hand by time of appointment)
• Demonstrated teaching, and ideally, advising, experience at the undergraduate level
• An active artistic practice
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively within a culturally diverse and multi-disciplinary campus community

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a range of areas of interest such as experimental or site-specific choreography, dance in the community, and dance history and performance studies would be welcome
• The ideal candidate will integrate technical, creative, historical, cultural and scientific dimensions of dance into his or her teaching, and will have a broad knowledge of current practices and discourse in dance.
• We especially welcome candidates who emphasize current transnational and transcultural practices and who incorporate art historical, critical, and/or philosophical writings in their coursework.
• Applicants should demonstrate an aptitude for innovative undergraduate teaching and advising, and the ability to work effectively within a culturally diverse and multidisciplinary campus community.
• A successful candidate should demonstrate experience and skills in program and curricular development and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Teach 2-3 courses during each semester (Fall and Spring)
• Work in individual or group settings to advise and mentor an increasingly diverse body of Hampshire students
• Be eager to participate in continuous pedagogical experimentation
• Choreograph/set work on students
• Serve as artistic director of dance concerts
• Mentor student choreography and research
• Develop and oversee the vision, design and management of the Hampshire Dance Program
• Take on a leadership role in Five College Dance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level