Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts)

Department of Theatre

This full-time, 9-month position is at the rank of Assistant Professor, is non-tenure eligible (term), and begins August 16, 2025.

Application Deadline: Review of applications begins in January 2025 and continues until the position is filled. For best consideration, applications are due by Friday, January 25, 2025.

The Opportunity:

The Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Theatre is seeking applicants for the position of Assistant Professor of Costume Technology and Costume Shop Manager.

This position is a 9-month non-tenure eligible (term) faculty position in the area of Costume Technology with an academic rank of Assistant Professor, and will have duties in the management of the costume shop. Term faculty are eligible for promotion in academic rank, and are valued for their academic, professional, and creative practice/scholarly contributions in their specific area of expertise. The primary responsibilities of this opportunity are teaching, therefore we seek to hire faculty who stand out with respect to effectiveness in teaching and engagement with students.

Department of Theatre

The mission of the Department of Theatre is to foster and sustain an environment where theatre as art and craft can flourish and can be studied and learned at the undergraduate and graduate levels under the guidance of, and through the professional example of, its faculty. This mission is accomplished through the essential and inseparable connection of instruction, research, studio experience, professional theatre relationships, and the public work of the department as a producing theatre organization.

The VCUarts Department of Theatre offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Performance; Musical Theatre; Design/Technology; and Stage Management, and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Theatre.

Major Responsibilities:

This position will be responsible for teaching all costume technology related courses in the BFA/BA curriculum, including patternmaking, draping and costume construction classes, specialty skills in costume technology and production expected. This position will also supervise the staff in the management of the costume shop, including schedule oversight and organization and the upkeep and maintenance of supplies and equipment. Other duties as follows: Balancing the construction of costumes while mentoring students in the costume shop while building their assigned costumes for mainstage productions, supervising the maintenance of costume shop equipment; and budgeting and purchasing of costume pieces, costume shop supplies, equipment and materials using a university issued purchasing card.

Creative research is not a primary expectation for this non-tenure eligible position. The faculty member is expected to demonstrate excellence through teaching and maintain a scholarly body of knowledge within the discipline. The department will support the faculty member’s professional development, as appropriate and within available resources, to ensure ongoing mastery of the discipline as it relates to the program’s curriculum. Professional development activities will be consistent with and support the mission and initiatives of the department, school, and university. The department will also support creative research at an appropriate annual level, though primary responsibilities of this opportunity are teaching and mentoring students.

As a member of a community-oriented, tight-knit program and School, the faculty member will provide service to support student, department, and school-wide initiatives; support recruitment activities; foster community engagement opportunities; and serve on department/School/University committees. In addition, the faculty member is expected to serve as a peer reviewer, organize conferences and/or conference sessions, retain membership in professional associations, and provide professional service. Other responsibilities may be assigned by the Chair or university administration.

Qualifications:

· MFA in Costume Technology or a closely related field or a combination of education, professional training, and technical experience that equates to a terminal degree

· Teaching experience beyond graduate school

· Minimum of four years of professional costume technology experience

· Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

· Strong collaboration skills and demonstrated enthusiasm toward teaching and working with faculty, staff, and students within the university

· Solid organizational, problem-solving, time management and communication skills

Application Instructions:

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion – an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. VCUarts strongly encourages applications from all racial, ethnic, gender, and social identities.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences, and academic and professional activities will impact your contribution to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion.

Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research and scholarship that promotes equity and parity; teaching and mentoring students, and/or engaging with faculty and/or staff from traditionally underrepresented groups to create a positive and successful organizational experience.

Click here for additional guidance on writing a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

In addition, the following documents should submitted online via the VCU Jobs Website :

· A Letter of Interest that conveys relevant academic and professional experience and describes experiences and/or professional service

· Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (see above for details)

· Teaching philosophy

· Current CV

· A list of three current references including names, phone numbers, and email addresses (references will not be contacted prior to applicant’s approval)

· Portfolio of professional work— a link to appropriate selections of documentation of the applicant's experience in their area of expertise. This could include traditional and/or non-traditional examples of one's work from a broad cross-section and/or combination of experience.

Only electronic applications submitted via the VCU Jobs Website will be accepted. For best consideration, completed applications are due by Friday, January 25, 2025. Questions about the VCU Jobs Website application process should be directed to Tasia Robinson, Assistant Director of VCUarts HR, at thompsontl5@vcu.edu.

VCUarts:

Ranked by US News & World Report as a top-five arts and design school, VCUarts (arts.vcu.edu) includes over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students with nationally recognized programs in design, visual and performing arts, and has an annual budget of $38 million and an endowment of more than $13.5 million. Students are taught by over 175 full-time teaching and research faculty members and over 70 staff members that assist in daily processes supporting the school. The School includes two campuses; one in Richmond and one in Doha, Qatar. The Richmond campus is located on the university’s 75-acre Monroe Park campus situated in the city’s historic Fan District. Ultimately, the work of the School of the Arts extends globally with partnerships throughout the world and across fields as diverse as the humanities, health care and business.

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to providing accessible and equitable living, learning and working environments free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability.

Salary: Minimum hiring salary is $70,000 and commensurate with experience.

Contact Information:

Contact Name: VCUarts Human Resources

Contact Email: artshr@vcu.edu

Contact Phone: 804-828-2787

Virginia Commonwealth University: Assistant Professor – Costume Technology and Costume Shop Manager jobs

Virginia Commonwealth University: Assistant Professor – Costume Technology and Costume Shop Manager