The Situation

The Corcoran College of Art and Design, founded in 1890, offers Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, and Photography, as well as the many unique advantages of studying in a museum environment and Washington, DC. The Corcoran is the only accredited 4 year professional college of art and design in Washington, DC. In addition, the Continuing Education Department, which oversees an enrollment of over 3,000 has inaugurated an Associate of Fine Arts Degree in Fine Arts and Photography.

The Corcoran’s College of Art and Design is one of the oldest and very few true museum colleges in the world. For over a century, it has provided its students with the best of the past and present in art through its museum and a vision to shape culture for the future through its school, now college.

Key to the success of the Corcoran’s graduates is the special environment that gives students a well-rounded visual arts education that balances studio work with rigorous critique and liberal studies. The College’s curriculum and faculty value a combination of technical skills, knowledge, critical thinking, and the capacity for life long learning. The intimate size of the College, about 300 full time students, allows this education to take place with an unusual degree of personal attention.

The Corcoran College of Art and design is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The College is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Thanks to the Washington, DC location, Corcoran students’ learning is further enhanced by exposure to an array of arts treasures, professionals, and research facilities not available anywhere else. The Corcoran is the oldest private museum in the city. Its extensive and deep connections with area resources enable Corcoran students to have unsurpassed educational and career experiences such as behind-the-scene visits, internships, exhibitions, and community arts services.

Washington, DC happens to be a great place for living as well. Its quality of life has recently been affirmed by Money Magazine, which proclaims Washington, DC the most livable city in the Northeast in its 1998 survey.

This position is open due to the retirement of the former associate dean.

Attractions

The Corcoran’s leadership, with David Levy as president, and Samuel (Sammy) Hoi as dean of the College, has been in place for almost 10 years. David and Sammy were together at Parsons School of Design before coming to the Corcoran.

The quality of the student body is constantly improving.

The Corcoran Gallery of Art, America's third oldest museum, which houses an internationally recognized collection of American art and is known for its exhibitions of contemporary art.

There is a vision of what will happen over the next decade, starting with the new Gehry wing, and the School of Art and Design evolving from one kind of institution into a College of Art and Design. There will be an international presence. An Associate Fine Arts Program has been added. The inner city art outreach program, Visual Arts Community Outreach Program that serves city youth of K-12 age, and an active exhibition program in its own exhibition center in the museum space, will continue to grow. Further, there are plans for new academic programs in photojournalism (study with members of the White House News Photographers Association), digital publication and arts education.

This is an opportunity to get involved in an institution which is redefining itself.

Critical Issues

• The College is growing rapidly, both with more students, and space, including the new Ghery addition. The next associate dean will be heavily involved in these two issues.
• Expect current BFA enrollment of 300 to double in next five years.
• There are classrooms and studios at two other locations in the District.
• Plans for new academic programs, such as photojournalism, digital publication and arts education need to be finalized.
• Work on self study and reaccreditation of the College (A site visitation in 2002).

The Position

Reports To:

        Dean. Currently there are two other associate deans, one for student affairs and one for continuing  education,   respectively.

Major Responsibilities:

• The Associate Dean of BFA Program oversees and supports the four-year degree program of the college. BFA departments currently include Academic Studies, Fine Arts, Foundation, Graphic Design, and Photography.
• The Associate Dean of BFA Program works closely with the Associate Dean of Continuing Education, Associate Dean of Students, Registrar, Department Chairs, and the BFA faculty.

Specific Duties include:

• Assessment and advocacy of BFA program needs;
• Quality control of BFA program, including assessment of courses and curricula; development of and support to the BFA faculty, including a leadership role in the hiring, assignment, evaluation, and training of faculty;
• Supervision of the Library, BFA student advisement, oversight of BFA room and personnel scheduling;
• Liaison work between BFA and Continuing Education programs;
• Development of new programs, including research and curricular development; accreditation related work, coordination of mobility programs; among others.

The Ideal Person Should Have:

• A strong commitment to the goals of higher education and an understanding, gained through experience, of the challenges, concerns, and emerging issues of undergraduate education in art and design.
• A minimum of three years of higher education administrative experience in a leadership position (assistant or associate dean/director). This is mandatory.
• Teaching experience in art and/or design. This is required.
• Curriculum development and outcome assessment skills,
• Excellent oral and written communication skills,
• The ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies,
• Computer skills, and a demonstrated ability in budget management. These are required.
• An appropriate degree in an area that is consistent with the professional and artistic direction of the college.
• The ability to listen, make up own mind and bring his/her vision into planning and decision-making.
• The ability to install some academic structure with faculty, who are used to a historically freer structure.
• The ability to encourage curriculum reforms.
• The ability to encourage faculty governance reforms.
• The ability to implement a rigorous faculty evaluation system.
• Strong leadership skills.
• A collaborative style.

The Ideal Person Should Be:

• Willing to be unpopular.
• Willing to take the heat.
• Creative and tough, at the same time. Be tough, but fair minded.
• Able to negotiate and mediate.
• Able to speak with authority about how art should be taught.
• Able to bring the administration’s point of view to the faculty and students.
• Able to make the most of what s/he has in a limited resource environment.
• Flexible.
• Knowledgeable and resourceful.
• Able to provide leadership and stability during transition to new Gehry building.
• A good listener.

Candidates, or those suggesting someone, should communicate in confidence to:
Robert Sellery Associates, Ltd.; 1155 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.; Washington, DC 20036;
Telephone: 202.331.0090; FAX: 202.333.1167; email: sellery@cais.com.

ROBERT SELLERY ASSOCIATES, LTD.
1155 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W.     WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036     202.331.0090
sellery@cais.com