Director of Dance

Institute for the Creative Arts•Fort Smith, AR

1d•$60,000

About The Position

The Institute for the Creative Arts is the first Performing & Visual Arts High School in Arkansas. As a charter school, it is funded by the state. Our mission is: Empowering students through an intensive arts and academic curriculum that prepares them for higher education, creative careers, and to become future leaders in the performing and visual arts industries. ICA is seeking an exceptional educational leader to serve as the Director of the Dance Program in the Institute’s School of Dance. This individual will lead a contemporary program that focuses on industry ready dance styles such as jazz, pop, tap and other styles that the 21 st century student can build a career from. The dance program will build upon a strong foundation of ballet and classic dance study. The Institute opened in the fall of 2024 in the new Arkansas Center for the Creative Arts, a 40,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility located on a stunning 10-acre campus on Fort Smith’s beautiful Riverfront Drive. Students in grades 9-12 participate daily in a specific arts program. The ideal candidate will have significant experience recruiting and teaching high school students. In addition, the candidate will have experience working with public school officials and parents. The candidate will have a background in dance with a wide variety of dance styles, and be able to teach those styles. Contemporary dance styles and musical theatre choreography a plus. The candidate will possess excellent communication skills and must be able to network with the community and identify students for the program. The candidate will report directly to the President and secondarily to the Dean. This individual will have the opportunity to collaborate with other ICA instructors to further develop the curriculum and collaborate on performances and events. He/She will shepherd a group of instructors in the School of Dance to develop a premier program.

Requirements

A Bachelors degree in dance, masters a plus with emphasis in contemporary dance
Three years of teaching experience is preferred, particularly at the high school level
Team builder, highly organized and possessing excellent customer service/communication skills
Dynamic and energetic leadership qualities
Ability to collaborate and involve community partners
Ability to recruit and mentor students
Ability to direct and coordinate dance productions
Ability to work with instructors and students in other arts disciplines
Must meet Arkansas Qualified Teacher Requirements
Other duties as assigned by Head of School