The Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) is seeking a collaborative, forward-looking, highly creative, and visionary individual to become the Director of the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program. The Director will provide empathetic leadership to uphold the college’s values–maintaining open critical discourse, embracing multifaceted identities, celebrating transformational ideas, and supporting community-based, collaborative, shared experiences. This position offers a unique opportunity for a motivated individual with vision to work collaboratively and generate a measurable and decidedly positive impact on the members of our creative community, and the cultural society in which we reside.

Situated within Minneapolis’s vibrant art-and-design scene, MCAD's Master of Fine Arts is a rigorous four-semester, 60-credit, program designed to expand thinking and promote experimentation in creative practices. As a diverse, international community of makers, thinkers, researchers, and professionals, students explore social, cultural, and professional needs in a unique mentor-based, interdisciplinary environment.

The Director of the MFA program position reports to the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA). As a member of the academic leadership team, the director serves on the Academic Cabinet and the College’s Curriculum Committee. The director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the program. 

The director develops and maintains programming to distinguish the MFA Program from competitors, which can include, but is not limited to, workshops, exhibitions, events, and collaboration with community partners. This position manages program and course assessment in collaboration with faculty and the MFA Committee, with attention towards improving diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion efforts. The director supervises visiting faculty, and has the opportunity to teach within the program.

The Director of the MFA position is a full-time (35 hours a week, 12-month) position. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Advocacy

• Lead and advocate for the program's students, faculty and alumni through program development, administration, mentoring and student recruitment.
• Commitment to MCAD’s vision, mission, values, and strategic priorities.

Planning and Curricular Development

• Develops and implements departmental planning and assessment. 
• Oversees curricular change based in findings from learning and programmatic assessment through curricular planning processes.
• Prepares the MFA course schedule and coordinates faculty assignments with other  departmental chairs and directors and the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
• Evaluates instructional programs for continuous improvement, recommending appropriate actions and implementing approved changes.

Academic Management 

• Maintains an academic vision for the program and represents the program to internal and external stakeholders.
• Builds and maintains an appropriate pool of qualified mentors. 
• Revises the mentor, student, and program handbooks, including updating program policies and procedures.
• Trains MFA mentors; develops and holds regular mentor meetings and orientation sessions. 
• Participates in performance evaluations where appropriate.
• Develops and implements academic policies and advising procedures. 
  • Semesterly advising of all MFA students; Assists students in defining academic goals and implementation.
• Chairs and coordinates Mid-Program Reviews and oversees documentation. 
• Coordinates the Public Research Presentations, Thesis Reviews and Committees, and the Thesis Exhibition.
• Helps facilitate annual events, activities, and exhibitions. 
• Serves as a member of the Academic Affairs Cabinet, Curriculum Committee and additional committees as assigned.
• Chairs the MFA Committee.
• Coordinates all Graduate Teaching Assistants each semester.

Program Management

• Collaborates with the Career Development Director and International Program Advisor on internship and off-campus study opportunities for MFA students.
• Prepares annual budget requests and rationale.
• Monitors and evaluates use and appropriateness of MFA studio spaces and MFA building; recommends changes/additions as needed.
• Maintains, with support of Graduate Assistants, an online website, and other relevant social media sites to support and promote the MFA students, faculty and alumni. 
• Collaborates with Communications on advertising and promotional materials for the year.
• Collaborates with Admissions and MFA Committee to develop recruitment programming.
• Submits annual department report and analysis.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
• Represents MCAD’s vision, purpose, and values in day to day work and interactions with MCAD students, staff, faculty, and campus guests, as well as the greater community. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has supervisory responsibility for all MFA Program Faculty (Visiting Faculty and Adjunct Faculty), as well as all MFA Mentors and Graduate Assistants.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• PhD/MFA (terminal degree) in studio art or design required.
• 5 or more years experience teaching or administrative experience at the College or University level required.
• Clear understanding of current issues surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and demonstrated experience facilitating changes to address these issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively across disciplines with administrators, faculty, and staff.
• Keen knowledge of and appreciation for transdisciplinary contemporary visual arts, design, and liberal arts.
• Detail-oriented and well-organized, with committed follow-through.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated awareness of national conversations around graduate education and higher education generally. 
• Strong leadership and problem solving skills.

Deadline: Priority will be given to those who respond by January 9, 2023.

The position begins July 1, 2023.

Applications should include:

1. A cover letter that describes the candidate’s interest in the position, relevant qualifications, and a reflection on the candidate’s potential to contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment through teaching, research, and/or service;
2. A curriculum vitae;
3. A teaching portfolio, including a teaching philosophy and documentation of teaching practice (student work samples);
4. Complete information for three professional references: names, institutional affiliations, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers;
5. Evidence of creative or scholarly work.

MCAD’s community of staff and faculty enjoy a dynamic, creative, and inclusive work environment. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, and 403(b) retirement plans, commuter benefits, and generous paid time off. In addition, after six months of service, full-time employees and their eligible dependents can receive free tuition at MCAD, as well as the potential to receive reduced tuition at more than 600 colleges nationwide. 

MCAD is especially interested in candidates from under-represented groups as well as individuals who have experience with diverse populations who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the MCAD community. Members of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community are strongly encouraged to apply.