Job Description

This position involves overall responsibility for the school’s performing and visual arts programs, faculty, and facilities in the middle and upper schools. Responsibilities include leadership, support, and development of faculty; coordination of curriculum and programs; representation and promotion of the visual and performing arts departments and their work in the school and the larger community; and teaching 2 courses in the candidate’s discipline.

Highly developed organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, thorough knowledge of best practices in arts education, performance, and exhibition, and a deep understanding of the way that the arts complement the academic and co-curricular programs at a premier independent school are essential.

Although the position is primarily administrative, the role involves teaching two courses in the appointee’s discipline. The Arts Department Chair reports directly to the Head of the Upper School, serves on the school’s Academic Council, and works in consultation with division heads, other department chairs, and the Head of School. 

The department is composed of twenty faculty members in the visual and performing arts, as well as adjunct instructors in instrumental music. The performing and visual arts facilities include, on the upper school campus:  the 1,000-seat Lewis Family Auditorium, the Wakefield Rehearsal Hall, practice rooms, the Acting Studio, studios for ceramics, photography, architecture, printmaking, and painting, and the Solomon Art Gallery. The middle school campus has a 500-seat auditorium, Swenson Hall, band room, dance studio, and visual arts studios. Additional exhibition spaces exist across both campuses. Posner Lecture Hall, a new flexible speaking and performance venue of nearly 200 seats, is part of our Fernandez STEM Center, which opened in August 2020. 

Ransom Everglades School has a long history of excellence and achievement in the visual and performing arts. The faculty emphasize equally the growth of the artist, the process of art-making, the final product, and performance. RE students have earned regional and national recognition in painting, photography, acting, and music, and have developed a national reputation for jazz performance. In the past few years, RE graduates have embraced musical theatre and matriculated to top institutions. RE alumni are distinguished filmmakers, musicians, actors, photographers, and architects. The Arts Department Chair has the opportunity to help with an articulated curriculum and vision for the programs and elevate the profile and presence of the arts at Ransom Everglades, on campus, and in the community.  

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership and teaching excellence in the arts.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with all constituents and stakeholders, on and off campus.
• Familiarity with and ability to learn about current best practices in the visual and performing arts.
• Demonstrated capacity for arts leadership, including facilities and event management, budget, and technology.
• Experience as part of a comprehensive arts program.
• MFA or Master’s Degree in a particular visual or performing art or arts education.
• Understanding of work with student portfolios.
• Enthusiastic and charismatic leader.
• Collaborative and collegial mindset.
• Willingness to be an active and professional member of the community.
• Supportive of The RE Way.
• Be a positive, energetic, and collaborative colleague who is interested in the school, events, and people.

Performance Factors :

Attendance and Dependability: The employee can be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and is seldom absent from work. Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and be conscientious about assignments. Communication and Contact: The employee communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with, all individuals inside and outside the School. Relationships with Others: The employee works effectively and relates well with others, including members of the leadership team, faculty, colleagues, parents, students, and all individuals inside and outside of the School. The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working relationships.

About Ransom Everglades School

Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is an independent coeducational day school located in the historic bayside neighborhood of Coconut Grove within the City of Miami. Guided by the words of founder Paul C. Ransom, Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are put into this world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it.” Total enrollment is 1,168 students in grades 6-12. At Ransom Everglades, you will find a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community whether you arrive to our school as a student, teacher, staff member or administrator. We take pride in our long tradition of honor and excellence, and share a deep commitment to service and community building. All who labor on our campuses play an invaluable role in shaping the next generation of leaders at Ransom Everglades.

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