Teachers and Musicians Needed for Dance Classes
The Dance Foundation is seeking dance teachers and pianists for classes in creative movement, ballet
and modern for preschool-2 nd grade students. Teachers must enjoy teaching young students, embracing imaginative work as part of the curriculum, along with collaborating with a musician; musicians must enjoy collaborating with dance teachers and the spontaneity of young children and bring creativity and enthusiasm to each class. Classes are taught in our state of the art studios as well as in community settings. Training in our curricula and professional development opportunities are provided. Candidates are requested to send a resume with an email message detailing availability (mornings, early afternoons, after school hours) in June-August 2022 and for the new school year from September 2022-May 2023.
Please send your resume and a note with availability in your email to: Blakely Cottle,
Blakely@@thedancefoundation.org.
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Position: Artistic Director
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
The Dance Foundation
The Dance Foundation’s mission is to teach the art of dance to all, inspiring creativity, curiosity, and confidence. Children’s Dance Foundation, d/b/a The Dance Foundation (TDF), began in the early 1970’s teaching dance with young children and children with disabilities, inspired by the belief that dance is a foundation for learning for all, regardless of ability, income, or background. TDF emerged as social movements intersected in Birmingham – social justice and civil rights, modern dance, and early childhood education values to teach the “whole child”. Over time, programs have reached our community’s most underserved and disenfranchised individuals – young children in particular – through extensive collaborations. Work continues to expand the idea of what dance is and who dances through these main programs: Community In Motion (community engagement), Studio (classes for pre-k to adults with tuition assistance), Studio Use (affordable, professional space for area artists), and Service to the Dance Field (professional development, events, artist residencies).
Programs are designed with a non-competitive approach, and a focus on the participant. We celebrate their engagement and growth, be they students, community artists, educators or audience. We remain true to the tenants of our beginnings to expand the idea of what dance is and who is a dancer. We have a staff of 30, which includes a leadership team of six (full and part time), and 25 or more part-time dance teachers and musicians. Year-round programs follow a school year and a summer schedule. Our facility has 5 state of the art studios, one of which is a black box performance studio which seats 100.
The Position
The Artistic Director is the leader for the comprehensive programmatic dance education efforts of The Dance Foundation, and the spokesperson of the organization with the Executive Director. The Artistic Director works closely with the management team to ensure the integrity and vitality of The Dance Foundation programs to fulfill its mission, vision and values. This position supervises, supports, and closely collaborates with two seasoned program directors (one full time and one part time) who lead and manage much of the day-to-day programs. Selected program elements will also be directly managed by this position. The Artistic Director cultivates and fuels a healthy, creative and dynamic culture for our faculty, staff, students and their families, and community partners. The Artistic Director shows commitment to the mission while exploring the possibilities of how that mission is embodied. The heart of this position is to continue to develop creative, diverse, and committed individuals in our organization for current needs and for the future. This positon reports to the Executive Director.
Responsibilities include
Strategically plan with leadership team, board and staff to set goals, overall programming and
policies.
Develop artistic staff, programs, curriculum in close partnership with the program directors to
cultivate vitality, strength and growth
Develop and implement program evaluation particularly for community and school-based
programs to measure meaningful change and inform program design
Direct selected programs in collaboration with program directors, including further
development of K-12 arts integration programs and curricula, relationships with educators,
principals and school administrators, broad community engagement, studio use by community
artists, and special initiatives which could include programs for senior adults
Supervise and assist coordination of student performances and all logistical details with program
directors
Lead the process to hire, supervise and evaluate teaching artists
Teach classes as appropriate to expertise and work load (additional pay per hour)
Assist with classes as needed for professional development, curriculum development, faculty
and student support
Maintain master program report which captures all programs and participants
Cultivate and engage studio students and parents
Cultivate and maintain partnerships in the community to strengthen community knowledge,
expand resources, make new connections for program opportunities and collaborators
Provide support and perform duties as assigned
The successful candidate
Embraces the highly collaborative nature of this position
Supports strong and established programs and offers critical assessment and insight for
possibilities of enhancement, growth and change
Possesses core administrative and technological skills for efficiency and effective communication
and project management
Thinks globally but explores the work with an experienced eye for big and small successes,
processes, details, and improvements
Nurtures faculty and community artists, and explores how to do so across the organization
Works towards synergy and cohesiveness across programs and curricula
Brings expertise in, and a perspective and knowledge of dance education to the work
Finds and celebrates value in artistry in students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds
Brings curiosity, energy, openness, generosity, and seasoned insight to the work, to
collaborations and communications with diverse stakeholders, and the organization as a whole
Offers forward-thinking, strategic, and inclusive approaches for current work and the evolution
of that work to effectively fulfil mission and serve the community
Has proven success as a leader and collaborator in a variety of settings and with a diverse
collection of individuals
Candidate requirements
Bachelor’s degree; MFA in dance preferred
Minimum of five years in a leadership position with a dance (preferred), educational or creative
organization
Experience developing and leading teaching artists and creative teams, concurrent projects, and
interconnecting elements of an organization
Experience developing and managing community collaborations
Experience advocating for the arts, specifically dance, and being a spokesperson for an
organization or program
Experience as a strategic, creative and inclusive collaborator for problem solving and
organizational growth
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Additional details
Status: Full time
Salary: Beginning at $45,000 based on relevant experience and expertise; 5 weeks paid
time off (Thanksgiving week, December break of 2 weeks, March spring break,
Independence Day week)
Posted: June 18, 2022
Applications due: July 18, 2022
Start date: August 2022
To apply
Email resume and cover letter to:
Diane Litsey, Executive Director
diane@thedancefoundation.org
Please include “Artistic Director application” in subject line.
No phone calls please; an email will be sent when application is received.
