Position Overview
The Butler University Department of Dance, in the Jordan College of the Arts, is inviting applications and nominations for Assistant Professor of Dance, tenure-track.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include:
- Providing dynamic, excellent teaching in Modern Dance, Improvisation, Choreography, and one or more of the following: Dance History, Laban Movement Analysis, Somatic Practices, Anatomy and Physiology, or any area that would enhance current curricular offerings to undergraduate dance majors.
- Choreograph for the Butler Ballet, which would include both classical and contemporary works.
- Continue to stay creatively relevant in the dance profession through choreography or research.
- Academic advising; student mentoring; attendance at faculty meetings (department, college, and university); committee participation and other service to the university, community, and profession; and a high profile of local, regional, and national/international creative activity is expected of the successful candidate.
- Two of Butler’s key strategic goals are “to create an intentionally diverse, inclusive, and equitable campus community,” and to “build a culture of empowerment, engagement and accountability.” The successful candidate will actively contribute to building an inclusive learning environment for an increasingly diverse student population, including the teaching of diverse repertoires. Inclusive and evidence-based pedagogy is expected at Butler University.
Please indicate your previous experience with and commitment to inclusive and evidence-based pedagogies in your cover letter. Continuing excellence in teaching, creative/scholarly activity, and service is expected to qualify for reappointment, tenure, and promotion.
Required Qualifications
- A strong professional career that has evolved into a commitment to the development of students’ technical training and evidence thereof.
- An M.F.A. in Dance is preferred, or equivalent professional experience.
- At least three years of university or professional teaching.
- A significant record of choreographic work.
APPLICATION:
Review of applications will begin October 21, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. Applications should include the following:
- Cover letter
- Current curriculum vitae
- Links to examples of scholarly and/or creative professional work (please attach links to word document)
- Contact information for four references.
Please contact butlerdance@butler.edu with any questions.
SALARY:
Competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications
ANTICIPATED START DATE:
August 2025
ABOUT BUTLER UNIVERSITY:
Founded by abolitionist Ovid Butler in 1855 on the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, Butler University is a private, nationally recognized comprehensive university consisting of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, the Lacy School of Business, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, the Jordan College of the Arts, and the College of Communication. Approximately 4,500 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students are enrolled at Butler, representing 46 states and 24 countries. Ranked #1 in the Midwest region by U.S. News and World Report and recognized for “best undergraduate teaching” and “most innovative schools,” Butler is located just five miles from downtown Indianapolis, a cultural center of the state and country. (https://www.visitindy.com/) Indianapolis is home to many national music organizations including the American Pianists Association, Music for All/Bands of America, Percussive Arts Society, Drum Corp International, as well as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and Indianapolis Opera.
The department of dance is a performance-based, undergraduate dance program with a strong ballet focus offering a BFA in Dance Performance, a BA in Dance (Pedagogy), and a BS in Dance (Arts Administration). Within these three degree plans, the major emphasis is on performing and the training of highly motivated dancers as well as the development of choreographic and teaching skills. The Jordan College of the Arts is home to the Department of Art, the Department of Arts Administration, the Department of Dance, the Department of Theatre, and the School of Music. JCA also houses the Butler Community Arts School, an arts education program where Butler students serve as Teaching Fellows. JCA provides focused professional study and collaborative, creative experiences within the context of a strong liberal arts education. We value an inclusive and welcoming environment with a diverse range of artists, traditions, ideas, and audiences, and we emphasize the development of students as artist-citizens who will become leaders in arts and society.
We seek candidates whose previous work and life experiences prepare them to contribute to our commitment to engagement and inclusion of culturally diverse students, faculty, and staff. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and intercultural development in a work environment and be eager to contribute to inclusion efforts on campus.
