Vice-President (Academic and Research) and Provost
NSCAD University
NSCAD University and Halifax are in Mi’kma’ki, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq Nation.
NSCAD University is committed to reconciliation and to building respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples and with the African Nova Scotian communities that have been enriching this region for 400 years. As a small school with three urban campuses, and programs across a range of fine arts, craft, design, and media arts, NSCAD University is an incubator for talent and an active contributor to the arts scene in Canada’s fastest-growing city. Since 1887, NSCAD has been a leader in visual arts education in Canada, with distinguished alumni building careers all over the world. This is an exciting time to join us, as we embark on our Seriously Creative Strategic Plan, carry out significant faculty renewal, develop new curriculum, and look forward a consolidated waterfront campus in 2030.
NSCAD is a small institution deeply committed to arts, design, culture, and community engagement. Undergraduate and graduate students thrive in our excellent facilities, with curriculum that develops creativity and critical thinking, and an environment in which to explore what it means to be an artist, a designer, a curator, or a researcher. Through active inquiry, members of the NSCAD community identify, define, and approach the complexities of our world. This immersive, rigorous, and supportive academic community celebrates the creative contributions of all its members.
Our 2024 – 2030 Seriously Creative Strategic Plan is founded on three institutional pledges: student-centred art and design education; an equitable and inclusive NSCAD; a destination campus for creatives. We have set four, long-term objectives to achieve by 2030:
- NSCAD will transform into a new, unified campus at the Halifax Seaport
- NSCAD’s student body will flourish to 2,000 students.
- 15 per cent of all NSCAD students will be housed in university residences.
- 25 per cent of NSCAD’s revenue will come from diversified sources other than tuition and the university’s provincial operating grant.
- To view the full plan, see: https://seriouslycreativeplan.nscad.ca/
At this pivotal point in NSCAD’s history, we seek a Provost who will champion the University’s plans for growth and transformation. The Provost will work closely with NSCAD’s President to support excellence in teaching, artistic creation, research, student experience, and service to the broader community. They will foster a collegial atmosphere that promotes transparency, integrity, and the highest standard of ethical behaviour.
Reporting to the President, the successful candidate will provide significant academic leadership and will create a vision and academic plan within a shared governance structure. They will have financial acumen as well as experience and strength in team building, enrollment growth, and project management, particularly in leading large building projects. They will have excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to inspire and build positive relationships with students, full- and part-time faculty, staff, administrative leaders, and the Board of Governors. As such, experience dealing with multiple stakeholders, and an ability to represent NSCAD at every level, are critical to success. The next Provost must be a demonstrated champion of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA), and be committed to anti-racist and decolonization strategies. Experience advancing indigenization and reconciliation will also be critical to succeed in the role.
An executive search is being undertaken by NSCAD’s search partner, Perrett Laver. Perrett Laver will support the university in identifying a diverse field of qualified candidates and in the assessment of candidates against the selection criteria. The anticipated start date for the position is July, 2025. Applications should consist of a full curriculum vitae and cover letter that explains how the candidate meets the selection criteria listed in the appointment details, which can be found at https://apptrkr.com/5674989 quoting reference number 7460. Interested candidates are asked to submit applications by Friday November 15th, 2024 Atlantic Time.
NSCAD regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. As such, the university encourages applications from Mi'kmaw/Indigenous peoples, African Nova Scotians, women, persons with disabilities, members of underrepresented groups or the global majority, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. At NSCAD, you will have the opportunity to work across disciplines and collaborate with an international community of scholars and a diverse student body, situated in a rapidly growing city that has been termed a \“hub of innovation.\” All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and permanent residents will be given priority.
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