PACIFIC NORTHWEST COLLEGE OF ART
DATE: 10/24/19
POSITION: Director of Make + Think + Code
DEPARTMENT: Academic Affairs
REPORTS TO: Dean and VP of Academic Affairs
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
HOURS: Salary
DEADLINE: Submit application by January 15, 2020 for best consideration; applications will be considered on a rolling basis until position is filled
MAKE+THINK+CODE MISSION:
Make+Think+Code is a hub of emerging technology, an instructional facility that enables PNCA art and design students and the external community to learn, research, and create. Workshops, community events, and curriculum create an environment that inspires and nurtures creative applications for technology.
Through access to emerging technology, M+T+C offers students opportunities for innovative curricular pathways, providing space for new ideas and exposure to tools and skills taught by industry professionals.
Committed to increasing access to technology and design industries for diverse and underrepresented populations, M+T+C provides programming that supports an inclusive community of learners. M+T+C empowers our communities to expand their creative capacities, and develop a critical framework for exploring the role that creativity and technology play in the search for imaginative and impactful solutions to complex and urgent problems.
OVERVIEW:
Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) is seeking a highly qualified individual to serve as the Director of Make+Think+Code. The M+T+C Director works in collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and community partners to achieve the Make+Think+Code Mission. This is a full-time year-round staff position that serves the academic mission of the college.
The successful candidate will bring energy, expertise, vision, and a desire to work closely with internal and external communities of PNCA to create a robust center of creative technology recognized both locally and beyond. The candidate will bridge strong local and regional connections to national and international dialogue, creative communities, practices and resources. The Director will manage the facility and contribute to the ongoing development of PNCA’s degree-granting curriculum in Interactive Design, Intermedia, Collaborative Design / Design Systems, and related areas such as digital fabrication, VR/AR, physical computing, and creative coding.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Primary Job Functions:
Strategic Operations:
- Lead internal M+T+C advisory council comprised of PNCA faculty, staff, and students.
- Establish an external M+T+C advisory council comprised of community partners and local industry experts.
- Expand program visibility through outreach via social media, networking, marketing, and events.
- Develop and communicate policies for lab usage in collaboration with faculty, staff, and student stakeholders, working with the M+T+C Program Coordinator for implementation in daily operations
- Collaborate with Technology Department on software, equipment, and support needs related to M+T+C Lab and its integration with student-facing technology resources.
Program and Lab Administration:
- Manage the M+T+C budget.
- Manage the M+T+C Coordinator and M+T+C Work Study students, delegating responsibilities and evaluating performance.
- Grant writing under the direction and full supervision of VP Advancement.
- Develop equipment accession policies, keeping in mind current trends and curricular needs, and obtain new equipment through purchases and donations.
- Maintain relevant and effective processes to evaluate student outcomes, curriculum, faculty, lab equipment, and other considerations to determine and implement productive improvement initiatives.
- Maintain a presence in the lab and provide open hours to support students
- Maintain a friendly and welcoming space for Admissions tours (Undergraduate and Graduate)
- Research and maintain knowledge of current trends and developments in creative applications for technology.
Curriculum:
- Work within a collegial environment by participating in course development and program planning, integrating M+T+C into PNCA’s curriculum in collaboration with faculty leaders including but not limited to Undergraduate and Graduate Chairs, Department Heads, and Program Heads.
- Coordination of scheduling workshops, curriculum, and community outreach programming.
- Participate in PNCA-hosted Open Houses and Admitted Students Days, representing M+T+C.
- Provide support for all Faculty teaching within M+T+C, meeting to review syllabi and curriculum, purchasing supplies, and hosting Department meetings.
- Provide support and access for all BFA, MFA, and MA students in their use of the M+T+C facility towards ongoing curricular pursuits.
- Recruit new Faculty to teach in M+T+C, making hiring recommendations to the Dean.
- Develop and recommend a dynamic workshop schedule for M+T+C.
- Develop new curriculum and collaborate with faculty to plan curricular changes.
- May teach workshops or classes in PNCA’s core curriculum as directed.
Outreach and Partnership
- Work with M+T+C coordinator to build and sustain relevant partnerships with the community in support of M+T+C’s mission.
- Establish M+T+C as a resource and hub for Portland’s creative and tech community.
- Help recruit mentors and instructors.
- Provide community networking and outreach.
- Participate in community and professional service as appropriate.
- Host community events including but not limited to free community days, K-12 outreach events, etc.
- Represent PNCA and M+T+C in a professional manner at all times.
Qualifications
Required
- Graduate Degree or equivalent experience.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with faculty and staff to develop ideas, curriculum, and to integrate M+T+C to support student work.
- Proven ability to build relationships within the larger technology community.
- Interested in the intersection of art, craft, design and technology.
Desirable
- Experience teaching in higher education.
- Experience in writing, developing and envisioning new curriculum.
- Experience with community outreach.
To apply
Email the following to hr@pnca.edu:
- CV
- Cover letter
- Examples of professional work, applied technology skills, or personal projects aligned with the mission of M+T+C
- Examples of student work and curriculum, if available
- A list of 3-5 references with contact information description of relationship. References will not be contacted until the candidate is notified.
Submit application by January 15, 2020 for best consideration; applications will be considered on a rolling basis until position is filled
About PNCA
Founded in 1909 and located in an award-winning campus in the heart of Portland, Oregon, PNCA is one of a handful of West Coast institutions accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. It offers B.F.A., M.A., and M.F.A. degrees. Under the guidance of professional practicing artists, designers, and scholars, students can focus on Graphic Design, General Fine Arts, Illustration, Intermedia, Animated Arts, Video and Sound, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, or Sculpture. A PNCA education is centered on the core values of professional practice, integrated knowledge, critical thinking, effective communication, and social responsibility. PNCA strives in all ways to prepare students for sustained creative achievement in the fine and design arts and throughout their lives to strengthen their ability to interpret the conditions and events shaping the world, and to prepare them to engage that world and its cultures with understanding, enthusiasm, and integrity.
Diversity Statement
PNCA recognizes that diverse classrooms and workplaces offer the richest learning opportunities. PNCA is therefore committed to a policy of equality in our admission and employment practices. All students and employees will be treated fairly at all times and without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran or marital status, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or the presence of any sensory, physical, psychological or learning disability, and all other bases prohibited by local, state, or federal law. PNCA welcomes applications from candidates that expand the college’s diversity.
