"Director, School of Visual Arts"

Director, School of Visual Arts

Department: School of Visual Arts

Position Type: Faculty

Required Qualifications

• Terminal degree in Art, Art History, or Design (or a related field)
• Qualification for tenure at the rank of full professor
• National record of achievement in scholarly and/or creative work
• Demonstrated administrative leadership experience with strong organizational and communication skills

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to articulate and implement a forward-thinking vision for the school
• Experience leading strategic planning and organizational change
• Commitment to shared governance and fostering a collegial environment
• Successful record of building and sustaining relationships with donors, alumni, industry/campus partners, and community organizations
• Evidence of effective fundraising and resource development
• Experience managing budgets, personnel, and complex academic operations transparently
• Continued engagement in research and/or creative activity at a national level
• Exceptional ability to communicate clearly and persuasively with varied audiences

Application Instructions

Required documents submitted to Interfolio will include a cover letter, up-to-date curriculum vitae, narrative description of teaching portfolio, creative/scholarly work, narrative description of administrative portfolio, and a list of five current references with contact information, a document with link(s) to video or webpage of creative work and/or professional portfolio.

Review of applications will begin January 12, 2026. Position will remain open until filled.

Inquiries should be directed to the search committee chair

Dr. Jonathan Nichol
Director, School of Music
500 W. Boyd
Norman, OK 73019
jnichol@ou.edu

Description

The Director position offers a rewarding opportunity for an accomplished professional in the field of art, art history, or design to bring their proven track record of strategic leadership and collaboration to further strengthen dynamic programs and develop external partnerships. The individual must be adaptive and comfortable in defining and implementing approaches in all aspects of the school. Candidates are expected to provide evidence of successful leadership in the visual arts disciplines, effective interpersonal and communication style, and history of shared governance.

The Director serves as the academic and administrative officer of the School of Visual Arts, reporting to the Dean of the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma. The Director provides creative and proactive leadership, as well as principled administrative guidance and advocacy for the mission of the school in teaching, creative activity/research and public service/outreach. The desired candidate should be visionary and be able to articulate and promote expanded definitions of art and art history. The individual should have a good understanding of current technologies and be able to develop strategies that incorporate numerous ways to develop and promote the school and its efforts.

This position is tenurable at the rank of Full Professor. The University seeks to appoint a new Director of the OU School of Visual Arts as early as July 1, 2026.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide academic and administrative leadership for the school
• Oversee school programs, policies, curricula, and reporting processes.
• Develop and manage budgets and resources
• Lead fundraising and external engagement initiatives
• Recruit, support, and retain faculty, staff, and students
• Represent the school on campus, in the region, and nationally/internationally
• Teach two courses per year and maintain active research/creative practice
• Collaborate across departments, divisions, and the college

Apply Now