Dean, Desautels Faculty of Music and Director, School of Art

The University of Manitoba is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as the next Dean, Desautels Faculty of Music and Director, School of Art.

Since 1877, the University of Manitoba (UM) has been driving discovery and inspiring minds through innovative teaching and research excellence. UM attracts people from around the world who share our ideals and vision for positive change. We believe in embracing challenges and taking action. Our students, researchers, and alumni bring their unique voices to learning and discovery, shaping new ways of doing things, and contributing to important conversations in topics that matter most, from human rights to global health to climate change. We are where imagination and action collide.

The University of Manitoba is western Canada’s first university. The University of Manitoba campuses are located on the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininewuk, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate and Denesuline, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. In addition to two main campuses – Fort Garry and Bannatyne – UM has multiple satellite sites throughout the province and research settings around the world. The University features new, modern facilities complemented by historic buildings that have defined the campus for more than a century.

For more than 140 years, the University of Manitoba has delivered life-changing learning experiences for students, conducted world-class research and shared knowledge and discovery to shape our province, country, and world. UM's role in reconciliation, its connections with Indigenous students, partners, and communities, and its commitment to Indigenous Achievement, are central to the future the University seeks to create.

The University is Manitoba’s only research-intensive university and one of the country’s top research institutions. There are 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students who study at the University, and more than 188,000 alumni spanning across 139 countries.

The School of Art offers studio and seminar-based courses which encourage and engage in interdisciplinary approaches from a diverse set of experiences and perspectives. Our focus is on the transformative potential in art making, thinking, and research, while preparing students for rich and engaged careers that both contribute to and extend contemporary discourses in art, art history, and design.

At the Desautels Faculty of Music, students are part of a thriving music community, working with accomplished professionals and exploring their talents and scholarly work in inspiring, leading-edge facilities. Students are able to explore the true depth and breadth of their talents and scholarly work as they prepare for a successful, fulfilling career in music or the arts.

The Role

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), this dual position as Dean, Desautels Faculty of Music and Director, School of Art, is a member of the University’s senior leadership team, and is responsible for the overall academic and administrative leadership of both the Faculty and School. The successful candidate will be an inspiring, transparent leader who will advance a shared vision that furthers UM priorities of Indigenous achievement; equity, diversity, and inclusion; and anti-racism. With a proven record of working collegially and collaboratively, the Dean/Director will demonstrate the ability to empower, support, and champion the scholarship and creative work of all faculty, staff, and students. A hallmark of the ideal candidate will be a willingness to become immersed in Winnipeg’s vibrant cultural community, and to advance the Faculty and School’s connections to the musical, fine arts, educational, and artistic landscape of the City of Winnipeg and Canada more broadly. The Dean/Director will possess a strong academic profile, senior administrative and leadership experience, and understanding of the broad range of artistic practice and education in the School of Art and Desautels Faculty of Music, including knowledge of historical and contemporary art practice, specifically art of the Canadian Plains and Indigenous art practice throughout North America.

The Ideal Candidate

Recognizing that no one candidate is likely to meet all of the following qualifications in equal measure, they are desirable and will be used in the assessment of candidates for the position:

• A terminal degree in Fine Arts or Music is required.
• A record of creative or scholarly achievement consistent with a tenured appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
• A distinguished record of creative works and/or research, scholarship, academic, teaching, administrative, and leadership experience in a unionized environment.
• Experience with university-based undergraduate and graduate programs in Fine Arts and Music.
• A demonstrated track record of service to the Fine Arts and Music community and profession;
• Sound knowledge of Fine Arts and Music education and practice.
• An understanding of and a proven commitment to Indigenous recruitment, retention, engagement, achievement, and overall success with consideration of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.
• Demonstrated success in equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism and decolonial practices.
• Familiarity with, and active work on, curriculum design and review, new academic program development and implementation, and program review and evaluation.
• An understanding of current and emerging approaches to teaching and learning and a commitment to teaching excellence.
• A proven track record of transparent leadership and consultation with faculty members and other stakeholders.

To learn more about this opportunity, contact Katherine Frank (kfrank@kbrs.ca) or Abbey MacLeod (amacleod@kbrs.ca). Completed applications can be submitted online by clicking the “Apply Now” button below.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Manitoba is committed to the social justice principles of equity, access & participation and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community, including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

An inclusive, open and diverse community is essential to excellence and fosters voices that have been ignored or discouraged. To address the Desautels Faculty of Music and School of Art’s commitment to equity, access and participation, and in recognition of the underrepresentation of members of historically and currently excluded groups, we take proactive measures including training on best practices to promote equity in hiring for all hiring panels. We strive for diversity and cultural safety throughout the hiring process (hiring panels, short-list of candidates, interviews). The University acknowledges the potential impact that Career Interruptions and Personal Circumstances can have on an applicant’s record of creative works and/or research achievement. Measures will be taken to ensure that these leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the evaluation process.

We encourage you to self-identify aspects of your identity that position you to bring currently under-represented viewpoints, expertise and forms of excellence to this role. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Manitoba and KBRS will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs to the recruitment professional named above.