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Assistant Professor of Contemporary Dance Forms within Afro-Diasporic, Indigenous or Asian Contexts.

Employer
Simon Fraser University
Location
Canada
Salary
Salary Not specified
Date posted
Dec 9, 2020

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The School for the Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University invites applications for a tenure-track position in Contemporary Dance, at the Assistant Professor level, starting July 1, 2021.

We invite applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Contemporary Dance with an established artistic practice and expertise based within Afro-Diasporic, Indigenous or Asian dance forms. These can include but are not limited to Hip Hop, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latinx, Afro-Brazilian, Coast Salish, Métis, Inuit, Asian and South-East Asian techniques. Our preference will be for someone with a deep understanding of the movement forms that emerge from these cultures, the languages, traditions and practices that support them, and an ability to rearticulate these within a contemporary interdisciplinary context. A demonstrated record of excellence in teaching and a background in establishing and maintaining trusting relationships with these communities, their organizations and institutions nationally and internationally is required. An interest in new technologies in teaching and research will be a bonus.

Responsibilities

With the shifting dynamic of the Dance Area within the SCA, we are looking for a versatile individual, someone who is able to integrate theory and practice in both their teaching and research, to mentor graduate and undergraduate students, as well as stage choreographic and performance works for a varied student body. Teaching will include classes in dance technique, composition, interdisciplinary collaboration and improvisation. Lecture courses could include the historical and socio-cultural contexts of the above-mentioned dance forms and some of the decolonizing principles associated with them. All faculty in the Dance Area share responsibilities in staging the Main Stage productions. Additionally, this position will include committee responsibilities, supervision of graduate students, and some graduate level teaching. The candidate will be expected to maintain a robust artistic practice and work with SCA to advance the concepts of contemporary performance.

Qualifications

Applicants should have a graduate degree (MFA or PhD) in a field or discipline of demonstrated relevance and an established artistic practice in dance.  He, she, or they will demonstrate excellence in creative research and post-secondary studio teaching.  Prior activities demonstrating leadership, service, and commitment to diversity and dance as a research practice is required.

Candidates are asked to submit:

  • a cover letter of application outlining creative and scholarly background, with indication of citizenship and/or residency status
  • an up to-date, full curriculum vitae
  • a statement of teaching and mentorship philosophy
  • links to samples of creative work and reviews
  • the names and email addresses for three confidential referees. (Letters of reference may be requested at a later date.)

Submit all applications by email to Elspeth Pratt, Director, c/o Samantha Diamond, scasec@sfu.ca.  Review of applications will begin on February 1, 2021 and continue until the position is filled.  To ensure full consideration applications should be submitted by this date. Please note that materials submitted will not be returned.

Contexts

The School for the Contemporary Arts (SCA) is situated in one of downtown Vancouver’s most dynamic and diverse neighborhoods and is one of five separate departments within the Faculty of Communication, Art, and Technology. The SCA offers a unique curriculum with studio classes in Dance, Film, Music/Sound, Theatre Performance, Theatre Production and Design, Visual Art and Art, Performance and Cinema Studies that integrates the practical, historical and theoretical study of the arts. This meeting of creative practice with academic enquiry is a core value of the school and is enhanced by our attention to critical contemporary issues as well as our commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration both within the classroom and beyond. Our context as an Art School within the top-ranked comprehensive universities in Canada is a great strength. We pride ourselves in offering the advantages of an intimate, small art school: excellent student mentorship and faculty/student interaction, a knowable community, a sense of belonging and familiarity, and a shared sense of purpose. We also have the advantages of a large university, with the vibrancy and opportunities that come from an institution with dozens of academic programs.  We acknowledge the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), Tsleil-Waututh (səlil̓ w̓ətaʔɬ), Katzie, and Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm) peoples, on whose traditional territories Simon Fraser University’s three campuses stand. By recognizing the Unceded Traditional Coast Salish territories, we aspire to create space for reconciliation through dialogue and decolonizing practices.

Dance 

The SCA Dance Area provides the unique opportunity to study, create and perform dance within a collaborative, interdisciplinary department. Our students are challenged in studio and lecture courses to be versatile and articulate, to interact with new technology, and to understand that the collaborative process is crucial to their development as contemporary artists. An engagement with contemporary issues is fundamental to their training. We also believe in a versatile approach to training and, to this end, offer a variety of dance techniques in addition to the standard modern, contemporary, and ballet courses. Additionally, courses in experimental anatomy and body conditioning introduce students to the fundamental principles of movement. Our courses complement a wider set of studio and lecture courses offered by the Film, Music, Theatre Performance, Theatre Production and Design, Visual Art, and Art, Performance and Cinema Studies Areas.

Faculty

SCA faculty are extremely diverse as far as culture, race, nationality, religion, age, sexual orientation and ableness are concerned. We value interdisciplinary art-making that is grounded in disciplinary training, an integration of creative and scholarly education, and care deeply about where our students come from as well as well as where they plan to go after their training. We therefore maintain a significant presence in the local, national and international arts communities. Whether as choreographers, scholars, composers, filmmakers, production and design technologists, visual artists, directors or dramaturges, our faculty are internationally recognized for research excellence in their individual fields.

The position of Assistant Professor of Contemporary Dance Forms within Afro-Diasporic, Indigenous or Asian Contexts is subject to availability of funding and final approval by the SFU Board of Governors. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Simon Fraser University is an equity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university.

Under the authority of the University Act personal information that is required by the University for academic appointment competitions will be collected. For further details please see the Collection Notice. http://www.sfu.ca/vpacademic/Faculty_Openings/Collection_Notice.html

For more information about our School and our University, please visit: https://www.sfu.ca/sca.html

 

 

 

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