Dean, School of the Arts
About The Position
Western Colorado University invites applications for the position of Dean, School of the Arts. The Dean reports to the Provost and serves as the chief academic, administrative, and strategic leader for the School, which unites programs in Art, Design, Film, Music, and Theatre under a bold vision of creative excellence. The School of the Arts serves nearly 200 students across its majors and minors and contributes significantly to Western's general education program through a wide range of creative and performance-based courses. Students pursue B.A. and B.F.A. degrees in areas such as painting, design, ceramics, music performance, theatre, and film, combining rigorous academic preparation with high-impact experiential learning. The School is a vibrant community of faculty artists, designers, filmmakers, and performers who mentor students in creative exploration, professional practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Dean will provide visionary and collaborative leadership, championing innovative curriculum development, interdisciplinary connections, community engagement, and student success across all creative disciplines. The Dean also serves as a visible advocate for the arts both on campus and in the broader community, embodying Western's values of hands-on, experiential learning inspired by the Rocky Mountain setting.
Requirements
- A terminal degree in an arts discipline or closely related field (for academic candidates); or a degree in a relevant field with significant leadership experience in the non-profit or industry arts sectors.
- A minimum of five years of leadership experience in an academic institution, or ten years of executive-level experience in the arts or non-profit industry.
- Demonstrated success in academic or organizational leadership, enrollment growth, and community engagement.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree in a relevant field (for candidates from outside academia).
- Experience in recruitment, marketing, fundraising, and/or growing an organization.
- Active engagement with professional arts organizations or non-profits in a leadership role.
- Experience in teaching in a fine arts discipline in a K-12, higher education, or non-profit setting.
Responsibilities
- Provide academic and creative leadership across the School of the Arts, strengthening collaboration among programs in Art, Design, Film, Music, and Theatre.
- Advance an innovative and inclusive vision for creative education and experiential learning.
- Lead recruitment, retention, and marketing efforts to grow enrollment across arts programs.
- Foster partnerships with the WCU Foundation, alumni, and external arts organizations to expand fundraising, professional networks, and visibility.
- Recruit, support, and evaluate a diverse and dynamic faculty and staff.
- Oversee budgets, facilities, and operations across studios, galleries, labs, and performance venues.
- Represent the School on campus, within the community, and at regional and national arts education networks.
Benefits
- Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, retirement plan options, and other insurance choices.
- After one year of employment, Western provides free undergraduate tuition for dependents enrolled full-time for up to four years.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
Industry
Educational Services
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
Number of Employees
101-250 employees
