Dean, School of the Arts

Position Summary:

Job Description:

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 Westerns 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 Westerns values of hands-on experiential learning inspired by the Rocky Mountain 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Compensation

Salary range: $90000 $100000 annually commensurate with experience and qualifications. This position is an administrative position and FLSA exempt. 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.

How to Apply

Apply online at Required attachments include:

• Letter of application addressed to Dr. Jessica Young Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Curriculum vitae or résumé
• Contact information for three professional references

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act in any materials you submit you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age date of birth or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Application deadline: January 5 2025 at 11:59pm (MST).

Please direct inquiries to Dr. Tina Butterfield Chair of the Art and Design department at .

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of approximately 3700 students. Forty-seven percent of students are undergraduates thirty-three percent are graduate students and eighty percent receive some form of financial aid. Western students represent 17 countries 50 states and nearly every county in Colorado. With an average class size of 17 Westerns faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized rigorous and immersive education. Visit to learn more about the university.

Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison Colorado about 200 miles southwest of Denver amidst more than two million acres of public land and a vibrant ranching community. The Gunnison Valley provides robust cultural programming and exceptional outdoor recreation. A network of dedicated community organizations enriches the lives of many in this tight-knit community. Residents enjoy a vibrant culture of festivals exhibitions performances and wellness activities the winter locals and visitors ski at Crested Butte Mountain Resort or explore dozens of miles of cross-country the summer bikers hikers and runners explore over 750 miles of singletrack trails while others fish boat or paddleboard at Blue Mesa Reservoir or on the Gunnison River and its tributaries. The highly ranked Gunnison Watershed School District serves Pre-K12 students.

Western Colorado University encourages qualified candidates from all identities backgrounds and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore in all aspects of the employment process we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants in accordance with applicable law.

An Equal Opportunity Employer including disability/veterans.

Western Colorado University believes that equity diversity and inclusion drive our success and we encourage candidates from all identities backgrounds and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore in all aspects of the employment process we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race color religion sex disability age sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy medical condition related to pregnancy creed ancestry national origin marital status genetic information or military status (for state classified positions with preference given to military veterans) or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Please see our diversity statement and our DEII Committee charge.

ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment including completing the application process interviewing completing any pre-employment testing participating in the employee selection process and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at or .

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS