News

Job Opportunity: Coordinator Theory of Art, Design and Culture

Willem de Kooning Academy
Wed 16 Dec

The Willem de Kooning Academy, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (WdKA/RUAS), offers a variety of bachelor (circa 2400 students) and master programs (circa 150 students) in the field of visual culture, art, design, education in arts, and leisure management.

 

At the moment we are looking for:

Coordinator Theory of Art, Design and Culture

 

The contract for the Coordinator Theory is 0,4 fte, and can extend further depending on teaching commitments and other tasks. Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences offers a temporary contract, from September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021, with the possibility of renewal and of a permanent contract.

Deadline for applications: January 13, 2020

The curriculum of the Willem de Kooning Academy is founded in the Majors as preparation on the profession of choice and on an interdisciplinary ethos through the Autonomous, Social and Commercial Practices. The Majors are the entry point of study for all Bachelor students; the various Practices form the interdisciplinary research contexts during the second half of the Bachelor programs and of the graduation pathway. Our highly unique Stations (advanced workshops focused on Research through Making) complete the set of the three pillars of the Bachelor programs.

 

Coordinating the Theory of art, design and culture programs.

An important aspect of all programs is the theory of art, design and culture, at this moment firmly connected to the Majors. The Major programs have profiles that follow the professional demands of the underlying discipline: fine art, graphic design, audio-visual design etc. Students get acquainted with important historical- and contemporary theoretical concepts of their intended profession, acquire knowledge that leads to understanding of theoretical frameworks and cultural phenomena and train their expanding research skills.

The theory programs are taught by a dynamic group of approx. 25 theory tutors with various expertise, background and training. They all work part time.

The theory programs and the way we deliver them to the students need constant development and adjustment. It is our intention to extend the theory programs into the domains of the Practices, creating a 4-year learning track of theory and research, strongly connected to concepts of critical making and artistic- and design-research methodologies.

Growing didactic insights, movements in the field of art, design and culture as well as societal changes find their way to the classrooms faster than ever before. What to expect of higher education programs and of society as a whole, has become subject of a larger discussion on social justice, inclusion and participation.

As an Art Academy we need to reconsider the role of contemporary art, design and culture in the context of the expanding diversity in society. And critically reflect on the historic and geographic centres of our positioning, acknowledge our current biases and pre-dominances and move towards a greater equality and inclusivity. Not only in student body and faculty, but in all aspects of our teaching conditions: curricula, references, positioning, points of view and an open minded and critical approach.

Theory in the context of an Art Academy never is a goal by itself, but assists the student in developing a well-informed professional view on their own (future) practice, deepening insights, opening new fields of knowledge and thinking.

Further description

Working from a commitment to develop new forms of art and design education and a desire to work with students across bachelor programs the tasks of the coordinator will include:

  • Coordinating the project-based teaching activities of the theory tutors in relation to the Major and Practice programmes, including assessments and resits;
  • Initiating and sustaining the development of the theory programs in line with developments inside and outside the academy;
  • Administrative and organisational duties (planning theory tutors, annual performance cycle, collaboration with student administration, planning, etc.);
  • Organising team development;
  • Contributing to furthering a relevant positioning of theory teaching with regard to the research-based teaching taking place in both Majors and interdisciplinary Practices;
  • Responding with flexibility to a workload that varies over the course of the academic year;
  • Reporting to the Educational Managers Talent & Research;
  • Requirements
  • Master-level degree in art or cultural theory or other relevant program;
  • commitment to educational developments;
  • precise style of working;
  • capacity to lead and help others develop;
  • interest in project-based education;
  • EU/ECC work authorization;
  • An excellent command of verbal and written English;
  • Familiarity with and ability to engage in international art and culture related networks.

The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic and thoughtful coordinator who is interested in helping the theory division to stay ahead of the developments inside and outside the academy. The ideal candidate will have a desire to grow in the position and take an active role in the development of the program.

Our staff is diversifying in terms of practice profiles as well as in terms of culture, gender and ethnicity. We warmly welcome applicants from underrepresented, minority, or non-conforming communities.

Conditions

The contract for the Coordinator Theory is 0,4 fte, and can extend further depending on teaching commitments and other tasks. Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences offers a temporary contract, from September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021, with the possibility of renewal and of a permanent contract. The salary ranges from €3,658.64 to €5,026.85 gross per month (salary scale 11) for a full-time employment, exclusive of additional 8% holiday pay and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. Secondary benefits include professional training opportunities and an attractive pension scheme.

All staff members of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences must be able to submit a Certificate of Conduct (Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag, VOG) issued by the Dutch Minister of Justice and Security.

Perks

WdKA invests in motivated and well-trained employees. Working at WdKA allows you to use time and facilities (via unlimited access to our Stations) for professionalization.

To further your pedagogical development you have to participate in training sessions, as Quick-Start training, Competency Assessment trainings and/or acquiring a BKE certification.

You may avail of a Hogeschool Rotterdam discount on your healthcare and participate in a solid pension scheme.

Caveats

Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences works with a limited travel reimbursement (maximum of 20 km).

Application Procedure

Please upload your CV, a Letter of motivation for this position and a Portfolio of your teaching, research and/or publishing practices here.

All 3 documents should be written in English.

The selection procedure consists of two phases. A short list of applicants will be drawn based on your CV, Letter of motivation an Portfolio, followed by interviews.

Additional information

Informal enquiries about the position or the selection procedure can be directed to: Roger Teeuwen Educational Manager Research (r.teeuwen@hr.nl).

Deadline for applications: January 13, 2020