Application deadline: December 19, 2016
Konstfack University
College of Arts, Crafts and Design
LM Ericssons väg 14
Stockholm
Sweden
T + 46 8 450 41
Head of the Department of Fine Art
Knowledge that rests on artistic grounds is essential for society. Through artistic creations, discoveries and experiences of life, the world and ourselves are presented in a wide variation of disciplines. In university education, artistic expression takes the form of both action and reflection. Konstfack is a university with high social involvement. Konstfack has educated dreamers, reformists, activists and visionaries since 1884. The results have left an impression on society, both in private and public life. Today, education and research at Konstfack aims to deepen, expand and mediate the cutting-edge knowledge at the university to the surrounding society. We therefore work with local and international exchanges and in projects initiated by students and teachers.
We are now looking for a Head of Department to lead the activities at the Department of Fine Art, where our programmes at first and second-cycle levels lead to Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees respectively. A number of free-standing courses are available for active professionals. At its disposal, the Department has studios, workshops and material resources. The majority of teachers have a part-time position at the Department and have some level of engagement in research, in addition to which they often work as professional artists.
The assignment
You will be part of the Vice-Chancellor’s Management Council and actively contribute to developing the university’s common goals, visions and strategies. As Head of Department, you will also lead departmental activities—both strategic and operational—based on the universally established goals. In consultation with professors and other teachers, you will be responsible for the development of education and research and for maintaining high quality. The assignment also includes personnel, financial and work environment responsibilities. To support you in this work, there are administrative functions that work with matters within education and study administration, finance and infrastructure. You will be the university’s representative in meetings with the surrounding community, where you will be expected to create and maintain long-term national and international contacts with cultural institutions and other universities.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the position as Head of Department at Konstfack, you must meet the requirements for appointment as professor or senior lecturer with artistic or academic competence. Experts may be enlisted to evaluate the eligibility for professor or senior lecturer positions.
Qualifications
We are looking for a person who has a great knowledge about and a strong commitment to the Department’s subject area; Fine Art. To be considered for the position, education/research and own activities within the field of contemporary art—for example as an artist, curator or critic—is a requirement. You have documented good leadership experience, preferably at a university college/university.
As a Head of Department, you are analytical and structured in you work. You can supervise the combined departmental activities, confidently collaborate with staff and student groups, delegate tasks and plan and follow up the work. Your leadership is visionary and inclusive. You have the ability to clarify tasks and expectations, provide opportunities and inspire your colleagues. You are able to represent Konstfack in external contexts and develop relations with external partners. You display good administrative and organisational abilities and have experience of financial and staff responsibilities.
As a person, you show integrity, are self-confident, perceptive and communicative. You can express yourself well both verbally and in writing, in Swedish and English.
In addition to the formal requirements and personal characteristics that we place strong emphasis on, you should be driven by and engaged in: contemporary art in relation to society, art students’ motivations and issues, pedagogics and supervision, research and third-cycle education, international perspectives, organisational structures, delegation and meeting types, social issues in general.
You are welcome to submit your completed electronic application with reference number KF2016/VO2P/131 no later than December 19, 2016.
Contact
Additional information about the Head of Department position will be provided by Vice-Chancellor Maria Lantz, T +46 (0) 8 450 4101, [email protected]. For more info about the appointment process and employment conditions, contact staff specialist Malin Vestlund, T + 46 (0) 8 450 4107, [email protected]
About Konstfack
Konstfack is Sweden’s largest university of arts, crafts and design and has educated the artists, designers, craftspeople and teachers of tomorrow since 1844. All our study programmes, as well as our research, are based on an artistic foundation and we currently have approximately 1,000 students and 200 employees.
