Dean of the School of Arts - Western Colorado University

Western Colorado University is seeking a Dean, School of the Arts to lead Art, Design, Film, Music, and Theatre programs in Gunnison, Colorado. Reporting to the Provost, this leader will shape a bold vision for creative excellence while driving interdisciplinary collaboration, enrollment growth, and student success. The Dean will lead and develop faculty and staff, expand experiential and career-connected learning, and strengthen connections with alumni, donors, and the broader arts community. This is an opportunity to elevate the School’s visibility and position Western as a destination for creative excellence.

Another Source's client, Western Colorado University, is recruiting a Dean, School of the Arts to join their team in Gunnison, Colorado. This is an onsite leadership opportunity, and relocation assistance is available. 

Western Colorado University offers an educational experience unlike any other. Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Western combines personalized learning with hands-on academic experiences that take full advantage of its extraordinary surroundings. Small class sizes, engaged faculty, and experiential learning create an environment where students—and the professionals who support them—make a meaningful impact every day.  

Located in Gunnison, Colorado, Western is surrounded by some of the country's most spectacular outdoor recreation. Known as the "Basecamp of the Rockies," Gunnison offers immediate access to public lands, world-class mountain biking at Hartman Rocks, fly fishing on the Gunnison River, water recreation at Blue Mesa Reservoir, and is just 45 minutes from Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Whether you're drawn to hiking, skiing, biking, fishing, or simply living in a welcoming mountain community, Gunnison offers an exceptional quality of life. 

The university is looking to enhance the School's reputation and position Western as a destination for creative excellence. For a leader energized by interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and preparing students for meaningful careers in the arts, this is an opportunity to shape how creative education grows and evolves at Western.  

Reporting directly to the Provost, the Dean will provide academic, creative, and operational leadership for the School of the Arts while supervising approximately 12–15 employees. This leader will bring Art, Design, Film, Music, and Theatre together around a compelling vision for the future—strengthening collaboration across disciplines, expanding experiential opportunities, growing enrollment, and building the School's visibility throughout Colorado and beyond. 

The opportunity extends well beyond academic administration. The Dean will serve as an advocate and ambassador for the arts, cultivate relationships with donors, alumni, community partners, and arts organizations, and help connect students with professional experiences and networks. At the same time, the Dean will create an environment where faculty and staff can thrive and where innovation in curriculum and creative practice is encouraged.  

• Collaborate with faculty and university leadership to advance an innovative, inclusive vision for the School of the Arts.  

• Strengthen connections across Art, Design, Film, Music, and Theatre and champion interdisciplinary curriculum development, including new certificates, concentrations, and majors.  

• Expand experiential courses, industry connections, and other opportunities that prepare students for successful careers in creative fields.  

• Build a forward-looking academic environment that connects traditional arts disciplines with emerging creative industries.  

• Foster a positive, collaborative culture and effective communication among faculty, staff, students, and university leadership.  

• Lead recruitment, retention, and marketing efforts designed to grow enrollment across the School's creative disciplines.  

• Champion belonging and access while supporting a student experience where all learners have opportunities to succeed.  

• Advance assessment and continuous improvement of student learning, persistence, retention, completion, career development, and placement.  

• Build strategies that connect students with practical experiences, professional networks, and career opportunities.  

• Partner with the WCU Foundation to advance fundraising and donor development for the School.  

• Increase the School's visibility through events, media, community partnerships, and external engagement.  

• Cultivate alumni relationships and professional networks within arts industries across Colorado and nationally.  

• Serve as a visible ambassador for Western and advocate for its arts programs within regional and national arts education communities.  

• Recruit, support, evaluate, and retain a talented and creative faculty and staff.  

• Provide leadership for faculty workloads, committee assignments, annual evaluations, and professional development.  

• Encourage contemporary creative practice and pedagogy while supporting faculty in bringing professional experience into the classroom.  

• Steward the School's budget, resources, and creative infrastructure, including studios, performance venues, galleries, and labs.  

• Align resources and operations with Western's strategic priorities, program goals, and long-term fiscal sustainability.  

• Ensure compliance with university and state requirements.  

• Partner with program coordinators and administrative support to effectively schedule classes and events.  

• Candidates coming from academia are expected to hold a terminal degree in an arts discipline or closely related field.  

• Candidates coming from outside academia should hold a degree in a relevant field and bring significant leadership experience in the nonprofit or arts industry, along with a demonstrated commitment to the mission and transformative value of higher education.  

• A minimum of five years of significant leadership experience within an academic institution or at least ten years of executive-level leadership within the nonprofit or arts industry—or a comparable combination of the two.  

• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership across people, programs, operations, and creative disciplines.  

Additional experience that will strengthen a candidate's fit includes: 

• An advanced degree in a relevant field for candidates coming from outside academia.  

• Experience with recruitment, marketing, and/or organizational growth.  

• Active engagement with professional arts organizations or nonprofits, including board leadership.  

• Experience teaching in a fine arts discipline in a K–12, higher education, or nonprofit environment.  

The anticipated annual salary range for the Dean, School of the Arts is $100,000–$110,000. This position is FLSA exempt.

Some relocation assistance can be provided for the right candidate.  

This position is fully on-campus in Gunnison – but who wouldn’t want to be in such a beautiful place every day?