Bennington College is seeking a faculty member in dance with a focus on African and/or African diasporic practices and influences for a permanent part-time (67% FTE) position that will begin in the Fall of 2024. Areas of expertise can include a wide range, i.e., African, contemporary dance, Hip-Hop, popular and vernacular dance forms, among others. The faculty member is encouraged to teach courses related to their own individualized movement practice, which may include somatic studies, improvisation, choreography, collaborative or interdisciplinary projects, critical and historical context, social justice, or any other curricular interests of their own.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience teaching dance at the college level; some experience or interest in teaching across disciplines; solid technical, historical, cultural, and critical expertise; and an active presence in the professional field. MFA or commensurate professional attainment preferred. We are particularly interested in applicants whose work engages with communities, histories, and discourses that have been historically under-represented, whether due to race, class, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, global geography, or any combination therein. In their teaching and artistic background, the successful candidate will demonstrate promise for curricular development that invites the participation of students with a broad range of current and emergent artistic and academic interests. The successful candidate for this position will support all aspects of the dance program, which offers a wide range of courses and experiences. This includes working as a team member when: attending to shared administrative tasks, designing and implementing curricula, fostering embodied knowledge, incorporating historical/cultural contexts, overseeing rehearsals and supporting production, initiating and hosting guest artist residencies, mentoring graduate students, and advising undergraduates.

Faculty members at Bennington are teacher-practitioners whose professional work is in ongoing dialogue with their teaching and advising. The structure of this position allows for robust and ongoing professional advancement during non-teaching or low-teaching terms. The successful candidate can expect to teach three courses per year, to advise a small number of students year-round, and to serve on committees. While this position is projected to start in the 2024-25 academic year, the distribution of teaching responsibilities across semesters can be flexible (i.e. three courses in one semester each year, or three courses spread across the year). This schedule will be designed and adjusted according to the professional needs of the hired candidate as well as overall curricular needs. 

Bennington College is a small residential liberal arts college in southern Vermont, long distinguished for its progressive approach to higher education. The College was founded in 1932 on the principle of active engagement in learning, which manifests in individualized plans of study developed by students together with faculty. Bennington’s open curricular structures facilitate innovative teaching across traditional disciplinary boundaries, and small class sizes enable student-centered and engaged learning within the classroom. 

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnic/racial minorities, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. All students, faculty, and staff are expected to be responsive to and respectful of these differences, building a community together that promotes the success of all.  The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its areas of study and institutional policies. 

Candidates should apply online by submitting: a) a letter of application that describes teaching experience, professional work and includes a reflection on the candidate’s potential to contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment through teaching, research, and/or service; b) Curriculum Vitae that includes non-teaching professional activities and teaching history; c) a statement of artistic research;  d) a statement of teaching practices and interests; e) 3-5 links to recent professional choreographic/performance work (full pieces preferred, no edited clips) and connection to website if available; and (f) the names and contact information for three references. 

Review of applications will begin on 12/31/23 and continue until the position is filled. References will be contacted only after the second interview. This position requires the successful completion and acceptable results of a background check.