Director of Creative Writing

Interlochen Center for the Arts seeks a dynamic leader of the Creative Writing Division. Established in 1975 with a Ford Foundation grant, the Creative Writing Division at Interlochen Arts Academy was the first creative writing program in an American high school. Areas of study in creative writing include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting and a wide variety of electives. The Creative Writing Division at Interlochen helps young writers cultivate their talents and broaden their command of the writer’s craft at all levels, preparing them for an increasing variety of writing experiences and opportunities. The Division provides guidance, support and an extraordinary series of courses, experiences and opportunities for young writers. The Division benefits from a Visiting Writers series that offers students access to readings, master classes and Q&A sessions with nationally renowned writers. Recent and Upcoming Visiting Writers include Rebecca Makkai, Douglas Kearney, Marcus Wicker, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, and Caitlin Horrocks. Throughout the year, there are a variety of evening performances of readings given by students, faculty, and guests.

The Director leads the division, supervising faculty and overseeing the curriculum, teaching courses and advising students. As well, the Director leads the Visiting Writers series as well as the student literary publications throughout the school year and during the summer. The Director also provides ideas and support, as appropriate, for the Creative Writing offerings in Interlochen Online and Interlochen College of Creative Arts.

The Academy enrolls over 550 students, of which approximately 20% are international, and 25% are from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Communities (BIPOC). The Creative Writing Division supports students who major in Creative Writing as well as students who enroll in creative writing electives. During the summer, the Creative Writing Division runs a full program at Interlochen Arts Camp for young writers ages 12-18, as well as individual classes for students ages 8-12. Close to 300 students participate in some aspect of the summer Creative Writing Program. The Camp enrolls nearly 2500 students, of which 8% are international, and over 25% identify as BIPOC.

Creative Writing students regularly win the highest awards in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition and the YoungArts competition, and earn significant scholarships to outstanding collegiate writing programs. Of the 40 Presidential scholars won by Interlochen Arts Academy students, Creative Writing students have garnered 19, more than any other discipline. Renowned writers who graduated from the Academy include Doug Stanton, Karin Gottshall, Paula Sharp, Mohammed Naseeehu Ali, Jennifer Lynch, Julie Buntin, Brittany Cavallaro, Garth Greenwell, Kea Wilson, Brittany Newell, Kate Angus, and Mary Stewart Atwell.

 

Responsibilities for both the Academy and Camp programs include:

Leading the Creative Writing Division Developing strategy for the Division in alignment with institutional strategy Teaching - partial load that varies based on time of the year Recruiting and advising students Hiring and supervising creative writing faculty and staff  Overseeing curriculum for the writing division with particular attention to new and broadening directions and forms for the written and spoken word in today’s society Managing departmental budget  Overseeing departmental literary publications Scheduling and engaging guest writers and readings Prioritizing duties in a manner consistent with organizational objectives and growth Performing other duties as assigned
 

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required. MA, MFA in Creative Writing or English preferred. Candidates must have evidence of effective teaching in creative writing at the secondary or post-secondary level Knowledge of the field of creative writing, creative writing pedagogy and publishing required Demonstrated commitment to inclusive teaching practices Promising record of creative activity and contributions to the artistic community Experience of program/department administration preferred Experience editing/advising on a literary journal preferred Qualifications to teach a variety of different genres, including non-fiction, preferred Required Application Materials:

Resume Cover Letter Teaching philosophy Link to portfolio or writing samples (minimum of 15-25 pages)