05 Feb 2016

Job Advertisement: Head of Master in Arts in Fine Arts, 60-100%

Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) offers a broad range of degree programmes in design, film, fine art, media, music, dance, drama and art education, pursued by around 2500 students all under one roof.

In the Department of Art & Media we are looking for an artistic personality to replace the existing incumbent from the autumn semester 2016 or spring semester 2017 as

Head of Master of Arts in Fine Arts, 60-100%

The Master of Arts in Fine Arts degree programme at the ZHdK focuses on the students' individual and collaborative development on complex authorship, and enjoys international renown thanks to its progressive curriculum. The degree programme, which is taken by about 80 students – of whom up to 40% come from abroad – is special for its unique medial breadth and variety and the open and flexible course structure, which focuses on the individual interests of the students. Students have the opportunity to develop their own in-depth artistic position by confronting and challenging a range of artistic and theoretical positions held by the members of an international team of lecturers. Developing one's own artistic practice, allied with conceptual, technological and relective skills and the fundamentals of artistic research, are central elements of the course.

As head of the Master of Arts in Fine Arts degree programme you are responsible for positioning the programme in national and international developments and for furthering the curriculum on an ongoing basis in adherence to the department profile and that of the ZHdK. You uphold the quality of teaching, head a management team of three and also manage the administrative staff. You will be expected to teach at least 30% of a full timetable. There are opportunities to pursue artistic research.

We welcome applications from international or Swiss artistic personalities who have a university degree and several years' teaching experience in art at tertiary level. You should also have leadership experience in the fine arts, cultural field or tertiary education. You are familiar with the system of universities of arts in Switzerland or you are willing to become familiar with it. In addition, you have first-hand, up-to-date knowledge of the latest international developments in fine arts education.

We offer
– a leading modern education in fine arts, well reputed at both national and international level
– stimulating interaction with challenging students and an internationally networked teaching staff of artists and theoreticians

We expect
– excellent artistic practice
– evidence of exhibitions, publications, performances and lecturing at international level
– international and national networking
– a university or academy degree or equivalent qualification
– teaching experience at a university, academy or similar institution
– leadership experience at a university of the arts or in the cultural or artistic field
– initiative and good communication, integration and team skills
– languages: English and German (at least passive knowledge or willingness to learn German)

Zurich University of the Arts would like to increase the share of women on the teaching and management staff and therefore expressly invites appropriately qualified women to apply.

Please send your application marked 'Master Fine Arts' by 4 March 2016 by e-mail to dkm.hrm@zhdk.ch or by post to: Zurich University of the Arts, Human Resources Management, Liliane Wüthrich, Toni-Areal, Pfingstweidstrasse 96, Postfach, 8031 Zurich.

For more information about the position please contact Prof. Giaco Schiesser, head of the Department of Art and Media, at giaco.schiesser@zhdk.ch. Further information about the Department of Art and Media and the Master of Arts in Fine Arts degree programme can be found at dkm.zhdk.ch and www.zhdk.ch.