<p>About the Job</p> <p>Asst Prof Lighting Design</p> <p>The Department of Theatre Arts and Dance in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position in lighting design beginning fall semester 2026 (08/24/2026).</p> <p>The department seeks a performing arts lighting designer with an established national and/or global profile as an artist and teacher, in theatre or dance. This position includes both academic and production responsibilities in a department offering B.A., B.F.A., and M.F.A. degrees, housed within a liberal arts setting at a Research 1 university. The successful applicant will continue their creative/scholarly research and professional activity as a designer outside of the department and participate in a range of shared governance activities within the department and the university.</p> <p>Appointment will be 100%-time over the nine-month academic year (late-August to late-May), beginning academic year 2026/27 (08/?/2026 to 05/?/2027). This is a probationary (tenure-track) faculty appointment at the rank of assistant professor, consistent with collegiate and University policy.</p> <p>Specific responsibilities of this position include:</p> <ul> <li>Teach four courses per academic year at the undergraduate and graduate levels including but not limited to all levels of lighting design and technology, principles of design, design drafting, introduction to design & technology and other related coursework. </li><li>Mentor and supervise undergraduate and graduate student projects, including thesis projects. </li><li>Provide academic advising to students. </li><li>Mentor all lighting-related designers, artisans, and crew members for all departmental productions. May be occasionally required to design lighting for departmental productions. </li><li>Contribute to curriculum development and refinement, and recruitment of graduate students. </li><li>Participate in committees and provide service to the department, college, university and profession. </li><li>Work in a collegial fashion with faculty, staff, students and administration. </li><li>Work with the production team to maintain the equipment, inventory and production budget necessary for a Theatre Arts and Dance Department at a Research One Public University </li></ul> <p>The Standards for Promotion and Tenure in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance are available at: https://faculty.umn.edu/sites/faculty.umn.edu/files/2025-08/Theatre%20Arts%20%26%20Dance%207.12%20%282025%29.pdf</p> <p>Qualifications</p> <p>REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:</p> <ul> <li>M.A. or M.F.A. in Theatre Arts or Design/Technology (or a related field with an emphasis in Design/Technology), or equivalent professional experience as described below. </li><li>At least one year of college- or university-level teaching experience or equivalent, as described below. </li><li>Significant professional experience as a lighting designer. </li><li>Computer assisted design proficiency in drafting and design software, and 3-D modeling/rendering. </li><li>Demonstrated experience and effectiveness with instructional technology. </li><li>Demonstrated commitment to diversity and the needs of diverse learners. </li></ul> <p>EQUIVALENT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND RECOGNITION:</p> <p>In lieu of the M.A. or M.F.A. in Theatre Arts or Design/Technology (or a related field such as dance with an emphasis in Design/Technology), the following may be considered in determining professional experience and recognition in lighting design: (<em>1) Demonstrated professional distinction in scholarly research and/or creative/performance work in lighting design and evidence of continued such distinction; (</em>2) Demonstrated effectiveness as a teacher at the undergraduate or graduate levels, whose instruction reflects familiarity with the current state of disciplinary thought in lighting design.</p> <p>PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:</p> <ul> <li>Three years of teaching experience at the college- or University-level. </li><li>Demonstrated experience with multimedia technologies and projection design.\ </li><li>Demonstrated experience in other areas including, but not limited to, installation art, architectural lighting, film lighting, museum exhibit design, or industrial lighting design. </li><li>Experience not only with standard design processes, but also with protracted, organic, collaborative design processes. </li><li>Experience designing with a variety of genres (e.g. television, film, and opera), production budgets ,and in a variety of venues (LORT to store front). </li></ul> <p>Candidates will be evaluated according to the overall quality of their training and professional experience, their record of artistic achievement, the relevance of their research to the department's academic priorities, evidence of commitment to teaching and skills as a teacher, ability to attract first-rate graduate students, and strength of recommendations.</p> <p>Faculty in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance in the College of Liberal Arts are expected to carry on an active creative research trajectory, teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students, and contribute service appropriate for the rank of appointment to the department, college, University, and profession.</p> <p>About the Department</p> <p>Housed in a public research university located in a vibrant metropolitan area, the University of Minnesota Department of Theatre Arts & Dance is a collaborative hub for education, research and training in the diverse field of Dance and Theatre.</p> <p>Our students are thinkers and creators who not only make art, but also make a difference.</p> <p>Our five unique programs share a commitment to collaboration and a balanced philosophy of training that combines an expansive liberal arts education with the rigorous study of performance on the stage and in the world.</p> <p>In partnership with local venues and community organizations, we prepare students for exciting and varied careers as well as lifelong journeys of creativity and learning.</p> <p>We are a diverse group of artists and scholars with a wide range of talents and interests. Read more about the research and creative work of our faculty as well as the hands-on student employment opportunities.</p> <p>Pay and Benefits</p> <p>Pay Range: $70,000 - $78,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience</p> <p>Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)</p> <p>Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff</p> <p>Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.</p> <p>The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:</p> <ul> <li>Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off </li><li>Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program </li><li>Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans </li><li>Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts </li><li>University HSA contributions </li><li>Disability and employer-paid life insurance </li><li>Employee wellbeing program </li><li>Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution </li><li>Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity </li><li>Financial counseling services </li><li>Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost </li><li>Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area </li></ul> <p>How To Apply</p> <p>Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.</p> <p>Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.</p> <p>Applicants must include the following in their application materials:</p> <ul> <li>CV </li><li>Cover Letter </li><li>Three letters of recommendation sent via email to Millie Reid Rivera at volkm003@umn.edu </li><li>Link to website/design portfolio </li><li>Research Narrative/Statement </li><li>Teaching Narrative/Statement </li></ul> <p>This position will remain open until filled.</p> <p>To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.</p> <p>Diversity</p> <p>The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.</p> <p>The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu</p> <p>Employment Requirements</p> <p>Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.</p> <p>About the U of M</p> <p>The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)</p> <p>The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.</p> <p>At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).</p>