Clinical Assistant Professor, Scenic Design - ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre

Clinical Assistant Professor, Scenic Design

School of Music, Dance and Theatre

Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University



Description:

The School of Music, Dance and Theatre in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University invites applicants for Clinical Assistant Professor of Scenic Design for a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure track position, beginning in fall 2025. We seek an exceptional artist-teacher to shape and teach the undergraduate curriculum in Scenic Design and other related areas. This position will be in-person and located on the Tempe campus.



About ASU

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impact the economic, social, cultural, and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. In 2022, ASU was named a Hispanic-Serving Institution and in 2023, ASU joined the prestigious Association of American Universities. ASU is deeply committed to advancing in innovative ways while sustaining a welcoming, supportive and empowering environment for all members of our community.



About the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts

The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is the largest comprehensive design and arts school in the country located within a dynamic research university focused on transformative change. Built on a unique combination of disciplines, the Herberger Institute comprises six schools; ASU FIDM, the School of Art, the School of Arts, Media and Engineering, The Design School, The Sidney Poitier New American Film School, the School of Music, Dance and Theatre. The Institute also includes the ASU Art Museum and the ASU FIDM Museum. The Herberger Institute is committed to developing and scaling ideas that strengthen the role and impact of designers and artists across all areas of society and culture, and to increasing the capacity of artists and designers to make a difference in their communities. For more information on the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, visit herbergerinstitute.asu.edu.



About the ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre

The School of Music, Dance and Theatre in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University prepares artists, scholars, visionaries and entrepreneurs to become creative leaders who transform society through their art. Our internationally recognized faculty artists, scholars and guest artists are motivating and compassionate mentors who work with students to cultivate excellence and personal growth. Our nationally recognized programs feature a comprehensive range of degrees plus minors and certificates and more than 600 concerts, events, performances, productions and recitals each year. Located in the culturally rich Southwest in one of the most vibrant, expanding urban centers, our programs afford students access to an inclusive environment and engagement in Phoenix’s flourishing arts community. Above all, we value the creativity, personal experience and voice each student brings to the school.



The theatre program, with its emphasis on new work and socially engaged practice, is a collaborative community of artists, scholars, students, faculty and staff who are shaping the future of theatre through groundbreaking curricula and programming. We foster creativity, community, and collaboration in our classrooms and studios while supporting public programming and community engagement. With over 250 undergraduate theatre students and over 25 MFA and PhD students, the theatre program is a dynamic teaching, learning and discovery environment in which production and curriculum are mutually supportive. Each year we present a season of productions that push the boundaries of contemporary theatre as well as an expansive series of live events and presentations of student work, engaging community members in the metro Phoenix area. The Design & Production concentration is a comprehensive program that focuses on all areas of technology and design in live entertainment. The concentration seeks to embrace cutting-edge technologies and digital fabrication methods to prepare our students for the future of the industry. Central to our approach as educators is a focus on creative process as we empower students to achieve meaningful learning outcomes through the execution of season productions.



The Clinical Assistant Professor of Scenic Design will work to prepare graduates of the School of Music, Dance and Theatre to transform their fields and society. We seek a professionally engaged, forward thinking, skilled, innovative Scenic Designer to engage with students across the disciplines of theatre, music theatre and opera and dance on topics of design, composition, communication and storytelling. The candidate will develop a broad understanding of the educational needs of ASU’s student demographic. The ideal candidate must demonstrate a pedagogical and professional profile that is compatible with distinguished undergraduate education at a major research university, and a willingness to develop and teach in person, online and hybrid courses. Responsibilities include teaching at least three courses per semester; mentoring and supervising scenic designers, scenic artists and props students through all phases of the production process, as well as internships and individualized projects. When necessary, the faculty member may also serve as scenic designer for school productions. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with colleagues across the School of Music, Dance and Theatre and the greater ASU community to impact the breadth and depth of new course offerings for major and non-major students in both in-person and online learning environments. We are especially interested in applicants who are dedicated to advancing the ASU Charter and realizing ASU’s Design Aspirations.



Required Qualifications:

• MFA in Scenic Design or related field

• Minimum of three years of sustained professional experience in scenic design or related field, utilizing current production practices and technologies.

• Demonstrated teaching excellence and innovation at the university level and/or record of professional mentorship in the field of scenic design.



Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to teach introductory and advanced design topics, computer-aided design (Auto-CAD and/or Vectorworks), artist and digital rendering techniques, model making, scenic painting, and/or properties design.

• Record of collaborative, professional and relevant industry experience working across a variety of mediums (e.g., theatre, dance, musical theatre, opera, corporate, themed entertainment etc.) in a variety of venues (e.g., proscenium work, non-proscenium based work, devised work, socially engaged performances).

• Record of collegial approach to working across disciplines and solving complex production problems as part of a team.

• Experience in installation design, production design and/or art direction.

• Demonstrated understanding of higher education production processes.

• Ability to design and implement curriculum and programs in theatre, dance, and music, for both online and in-person courses. Interest in expansive approaches to design and production processes and practices.



Instructions to Apply:

Please submit the following materials as separate items:

1. Letter of interest addressing how the candidate uniquely meets the qualifications for the position, in particular: work experience, collaboration and innovative teaching, service, and how their work aligns with and will advance the ASU Charter and Design Aspirations.

2. Curriculum vitae.

3. A one-page statement addressing the candidate’s teaching philosophy and how their teaching aligns with the ASU Charter.

4. A digital portfolio of no more than 10 produced designs (images of a scenic model or rendering, paint elevations) including a complete drafting package for a recently designed production (Link submitted in PDF format). For detailed instructions on how to create a document with live hyperlinks, please click here.

5. Names and contact information for three references.



All applications must be submitted electronically via http://apply.interfolio.com/165212.



Application Deadline:

The application deadline is April 19, 2025. Applications for a reserve pool will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.



ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses and certifications.





Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.



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In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.



We acknowledge the 22 tribes who are native to Arizona, and more specifically the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Piipaash or Pee Posh (Maricopa) tribes on whose ancestral homelands ASU’s Tempe campus resides.
Salary: 65,000 annually