Maine College of Art (MECA) invites applications for a Director of the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies at MECA with duties commencing on May 1, 2020 but no later than July 1, 2020.

Position Summary + Responsibilities

The Director’s primary responsibility is to provide leadership for the Salt Graduate Certificate, develop curricula and/or new programs or tracks, develop and lead workshops within Salt, and support recruitment of new students. This year-round faculty appointment is at the rank of assistant or associate professor with teaching and administrative duties.

The Director, along with Salt faculty, will continue Salt’s legacy of training ethical, powerful storytellers in the areas of radio, short film, multimedia, photography and writing. Salt aims to increase the range of perspectives from which stories are told. The Salt Diversity Fellowship, offered to students applying to the program each term, exists to support this value, and we strongly encourages candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds to apply for the directorship.

The College invites applicants with extensive experience in the areas of radio, podcasting, or digital storytelling. The successful candidate will teach documentary storytelling for radio/audio/podcasting while working with faculty to create a powerful and immersive experience for all Salt students. The Salt curriculum includes pre- and post-production, and writing for radio and/or short film/multimedia, as well as editing, field recording, and interviewing. Salt faculty ensure that students understand both the appropriate ethics of documentary work and the professional requirements of their field.

Engaged teaching, a commitment to community, and individualized attention are hallmarks of a MECA education. A commitment to graduate and undergraduate teaching is essential, as is innovation and versatility. MECA’s educational philosophy, which consists of Studio, Agency, Place, Community, and Ethics is the backbone of all our programs.

The Director will teach courses primarily in the Salt Institute. Other responsibilities include faculty-hiring and evaluation, mentoring, curricular development, and institutional service activities.

The Director reports to the Associate Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Qualifications

A demonstrable record of significant documentary work is required. A Master’s is preferred and a baccalaureate is required.

Excellence in teaching, an active professional practice, and a record of professional accomplishment as demonstrated by publication, presentation and/or performance are essential.

The successful candidate will be a dynamic teacher, creative colleague and holistic thinker; they will demonstrate the ability to work in a collaborative environment and create a positive and engaging learning environment between students and faculty alike.

Compensation + Benefits

Compensation ranges from $50,000 to $65,000 based on credentials, experience and rank. A comprehensive benefit package is offered, including health, dental, vacation, sick and retirement benefits.

Application Procedure

Candidates who submit their materials by March 31, 2020, are assured full consideration. Applications will be accepted until a hire is made. Application materials must be sent digitally in a single PDF, not to exceed a 25MB file size. Please email the document to employment@meca.edu. Place “Salt Search: [Your Name]” in the subject line. The PDF must include:

1. an application letter which describes how the candidate’s experience, accomplishments and qualifications intersect with the listed position description;
2. a curriculum vitae;
3. a diversity statement;
4. a one page teaching philosophy
5. portfolio or suitable weblink to representative work and, if available, student work
6. a list of five references with contact information.

Finalists must agree to a background check.

Maine College of Art recognizes that diversity is integral to the academic experience and strives to foster an inclusive culture defined by respect, equity and social responsibility. Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience in working with diverse populations, and supporting an inclusive and equitable community. Maine College of Art does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, HIV status, race, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, or military/veteran’s status in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment policies, financial aid, or other College administered programs. Candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

About the Salt Institute of Documentary Studies

In 1973, high school English teacher Pamela Wood founded Salt in Kennebunk, Maine, as a place to teach students how to become photographers, writers and, most of all, ethical storytellers. Salt evolved into a program offering four tracks: Documentary Radio, Documentary Photography, Short Documentary Film, and Documentary Writing/Creative Non-fiction. Salt’s commitment to teaching ambitious students on how to become truthful, thorough, and creative documentarians has never wavered. On April 8, 2016, the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies became part of Maine College of Art. MECA is committed to carrying on the 40+ year tradition of Salt’s unique educational experience.

Position Summary

Maine College of Art (MECA) seeks a collaborative and knowledgeable individual to serve as a part-time Diversity, Racial Equality, & Inclusion Officer, joining our group of committed faculty and staff who are passionate about art, education, and community.

In 2017, 19.1% of MECA’s undergraduate and graduate students identified with an ethnicity and/or race that was non-white/European-American. MECA is working towards ensuring our students thrive during their academic career at the college, both within the MECA campus and in the city of Portland. The Diversity, Racial Equality, & Inclusion Officer will be supported as a leader at MECA, modeling guidelines for engagement around diversity, racial equity, and inclusion as outlined by MECA’s Diversity Statement and Compact. This role will continue to move forward initiatives and develop strategies to address intersectionality; representation in the arts and art history; and establish a culture of accountability. The Officer will also facilitate conversations between faculty and students as needed, as well as between faculty and staff members as needed.

The position is part-time (three days a week) for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years, working nine months a year with summers off. Reporting to the President, the officer will work closely with the Vice President of Academic Affairs, Co-Chairs of MECA’s Diversity Committee, and the Director of Student Life to establish immediate priorities.
The position is funded in part by a grant from The Crewe Foundation in conjunction with Indigo Arts Alliance (IAA), an arts incubator in Portland, Maine, founded and created for professional and emerging artists of African descent with an open door to all people of color. BFA and MFA students and alumni will have opportunities to partner with incoming artists as mentees and interns. This position will work with MECA staff to manage administrative needs for both the College and IAA related to the collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Promote and drive adoption of diversity and inclusive practices; establish key initiatives that are tailored to advance MECA’s diversity and inclusion goals;
• Align DEI objectives to support MECA’s strategic plan;
• Design and source educational workshops and tools to support facility, staff, trustees, and students, working in partnership with the MECA Diversity Committee and the Human Resources Director;
• Serve on MECA’s Diversity Committee as well as Strategic Plan Workgroup;
• Guide Admissions and Marketing on creating content and material to ensure diversity and inclusion best practices;
• Work with Indigo Arts Alliance (IAA) to meet grant parameters;
• Collaborate with Advancement office to raise additional funding for IAA grant;
• Drive external partnerships with community and nonprofit organizations to advance inclusion and equity in the local community where MECA is based;
• Remain current with and share leading best practices on DEI initiatives;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

• 3+ years experience leading DEI programs required;
• Experience in higher education and specifically with graduate and/or professional programming preferred;
• Experience with community outreach preferred.

Skills & Responsibilities

• Excellent project management skills and experience with/understanding of change management principles;
• Strong knowledge of diversity metrics, research and analytics;
• Ability to handle multiple projects and to prioritize effectively; agility/flexibility/resilience;
• Excellent communication, influencing and leadership skills to embed DEI principles throughout the organization;
• Demonstrated ability to translate best practices and research into tangible, pragmatic outcomes underpinned by metrics/key performance indicators.

Application Procedure

Applications will be reviewed beginning immediately and will be accepted until a hire is made. Application materials must be sent digitally in a single PDF, not to exceed a 25MB file size. Please email the document to employment@meca.edu. Place “DEI Position [LastName FirstName]” in the subject line.

The PDF must include:

1. an application/cover letter which describes how the candidate’s experience, accomplishments and qualifications intersect with the listed position description;
2. a resumé/curriculum vitae;
3. a diversity statement;
4. a list of five references with contact information, one of which should be a student.

Finalists must submit all college transcripts and agree to a background check.

Maine College of Art recognizes that diversity is integral to the academic experience and strives to foster an inclusive culture defined by respect, equity and social responsibility. Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience in working with diverse populations, and supporting an inclusive and equitable community. Maine College of Art does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, HIV status, race, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, or military/veteran’s status in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment policies, financial aid, or other College administered programs. Candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.