University of Alberta
Faculty of Arts – folkwaysAlive!
The University of Alberta is seeking a Director for folkwaysAlive!, the University’s partnership with Smithsonian Folkways Recordings in Washington DC. Providing a home for the over two thousand Folkways Records donated to the University by company founder Moses Asch, folkwaysAlive! builds on this valuable collection, houses a digital archive to document local and national community traditions, provides research opportunities, and presents public performances that relate to and enhance the Folkways philosophy and mission.
The Director will lead folkwaysAlive! in developing its international partnerships and provide leadership in the interdisciplinary study and promotion of music and cultural expression in the spirit and as a legacy of Folkways Records. folkwaysAlive! seeks to develop mutual understanding among cultural communities through the creation, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge about their musical and cultural heritage; as a part of the University of Alberta, it is committed to teaching, research, and to outreach embracing both academic and community collaborations.
Duties will include academic and administrative leadership of folkwaysAlive!; overseeing its collaboration with Smithsonian Folkways Recordings on projects of mutual interest; expanding national and international research partnerships consistent with the legacy of Folkways Records; actively pursuing grants and fund development; maintaining close collaboration with scholars and units throughout the university such as the Canadian Centre for Ethnomusicology and the Department of Music, whose research engages areas relevant to folkwaysAlive!’s mandate; teaching at least one half course per year; and maintaining and developing individual research and creative activity.
It is expected that the Director of folkwaysAlive! will have an established international career as a scholar, with expertise in the folk and popular music traditions of North America. The successful candidate will have a doctoral degree in ethnomusicology, anthropology, folklore, ethnic studies, cultural studies or related field and demonstrate outstanding potential for a research and teaching career. Exceptional candidates from a non-academic background may also be considered, based on a combination of professional and educational experience. Administrative and community relations experience will be strong assets and the ability to engage productively with colleagues and collaborators within and beyond the University will be essential.
The academic appointment is expected to be with tenure at the rank of Associate, or Full Professor. The Directorship will be for a fixed, renewable term, to be negotiated at the time of hiring. As a faculty member, the appointee will report to the Chair of the Department of appointment; as Director of folkwaysAlive!, the appointee will report to the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and consult with and inform the folkwaysAlive! Advisory Board.
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications, rank and experience. This position will remain open until filled, though the initial review of applications will occur on October 15th. The position may begin as early as July 1, 2011.
Competition: A107312363
To express interest in this position or for further information, please contact:
David Gramit
Chair, Department of Music
3-82 Fine Arts Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB T6G 2C9
Canada
david.gramit@ualberta.ca
http://www.fwalive.ualberta.ca/home
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.The University of Alberta hires on the basis of merit. We are committed to the principle of equity in employment. We welcome diversity and encourage applications from all qualified women and men, including persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and Aboriginal persons.