Dean of the Library

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) seeks a creative, curious, dynamic, and collaborative leader for the Division of Library and Information Resources. The new dean will join CalArts at a pivotal time of reinvention and reimagination. Formerly the “Institute Librarian,” the new “Dean of the Library” will have a broader scope of responsibilities that allow for expanded research, collaboration, and experimentation, acknowledging the interconnected nature of the library across the Institute. This newly refocused leadership position reports to the Provost/Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and is a member of the Deans’ Council.

In partnership with the faculty and staff of the library, the dean will guide the effort to create and implement a shared vision and action plan for the library, which will align with the Institute's Strategic Framework, engage in fundraising, and provide operational and technology leadership for the library. In addition, the dean will steward facility improvements within the library and its affiliated spaces as well as engage in facilities planning across campus.

CalArts was founded in 1961 and opened in 1969 as the first institution of higher learning in the United States specifically for students interested in the pursuit of degrees in all areas of visual and performing arts. Programs at CalArts are optimized for a new kind of artist: one who goes beyond mere aesthetics and expertise and thinks about the way their practice engages with the world at large. The unique cross-disciplinary and experimental nature of the institution and its community of artists, thinkers, and makers creates a particularly fertile ground for creative and expansive thinking about what an art library is and can be.

CalArts seeks candidates who can engage with diverse communities of learners at the highest levels of artistic endeavor and critical thinking. Across the range of practitioners from artists to scholars and librarians, CalArts welcomes candidates who possess a demonstrated worldview and cultural competency to support the teaching and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students and artists of varied backgrounds, capabilities, perspectives, social identities, and gender expressions.

The ideal candidate for this role will embody the creative, curious, fearless, and imaginative history that is embedded in CalArts. The next dean will preferably hold an ALA-accredited degree (or an international equivalent) and/or an advanced degree in a relevant field. The dean will demonstrate effective leadership and management experience within an academic library setting. As a faculty member at CalArts, the dean will also be expected to continue to advance their own scholarship, research, and/or creative professional practice.

To view the full position profile, please visit Storbeck Search’s website https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/20119-calarts-dean-of-the-library

Please send nominations, applications, and queries in confidence and electronically to:

Matthew Bunting, Managing Director
Susan Kart, Senior Search Associate
Alyssa Perez Leal, Senior Search Associate
Storbeck Search
CalArtsDeanLibrary@storbecksearch.com

California Institute of the Arts shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.