Job Description
Hiring Department
UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY CONSERVATORY
Theatre Division / Digital & Immersive Media Integrated Arts Faculty Cluster Hire:
Sound, Composition and Digital & Immersive Media The UMKC Conservatory is a vibrant
community of artists, educators, and scholars located in the heart of Kansas City's thriving arts corridor. Committed to fostering
excellence, innovation, and equity, the Conservatory prepares students to become leading performers, educators, and scholar-artists. As part
of a Carnegie rated
R-1 public research university, the Conservatory offers exceptional opportunities for¿interdisciplinary
collaboration, community engagement, and global impact.
We seek candidates who:
- help build the future of performance,
education and research in the performing arts;¿
- demonstrate a growth mindset, with an understanding that learning is an ongoing
process;
- believe that art has the power to help us understand ourselves, each other, and our culture while empowering us to move
that culture forward;
- engage in work that appeals to, and positively impacts, the global population;
- adapt to the
opportunities in their regions, and to expanding frameworks of collaboration.
At the University of Missouri-Kansas City
Conservatory, we take pride in fostering collaboration across the divisions of music, dance, and theatre, and in advancing the integration
of art forms through our research and creative work. Our integrated arts approach intentionally weaves together multiple art forms to deepen
learning, expand artistic practice, and enrich audience experiences.
To prepare students for 21st-century careers in the arts, the
Conservatory proposes a Sound, Composition, and Digital & Immersive Media Faculty Cohort-three faculty positions across divisions, each with
distinct yet complementary roles. Together, they form a hub for applied creativity, industry engagement, and innovative pedagogy.
Members of this cohort will play a central role in modernizing and enriching curricula within their respective divisions, ensuring
students are equipped with the skills and perspectives needed in today's professional landscape. Each faculty member will contribute
disciplinary expertise while actively seeking points of intersection that expand creative possibilities for students. Our goal is to enhance
existing degree programs, rather than to establish new ones, by integrating contemporary practices, collaborative projects, and
industry-informed approaches that prepare graduates for evolving careers in the performing arts and related fields.
Job
Description The UMKC Conservatory invites applications for a
9-month, full-time, tenure-track
position in Digital and Immersive Media at the rank of
Assistant Professor , beginning in Fall 2026. This position
involves teaching and research that extends into diverse media contexts including theatre, dance, music, and integrated opportunities. Here,
"media" refers to screen-based, interactive, and immersive environments where images interact with music, narrative, space, and technology.
Examples include media creation for digital platforms such as projections, installations, video mapping, animation, and digital design, as
well as live or hybrid performance work.
Primary Responsibilities - Teach students in digital and immersive
integrated media arts at the graduate and undergraduate levels, including introductory courses.
- Oversee ongoing curriculum
development of Digital and Immersive Media within the UMKC Conservatory and Theatre Division.
- Oversee MFA Design and Technology -
Digital and Immersive Media graduate assistantship assignments.
- Oversee and mentor graduate students in their coursework.
- Mentor and advise students in their production work.
- Participate in the Conservatory Production Team, including bi-weekly
meetings and occasional work calls.
- Connect students with industry-standard tools, workflows, and professional portfolio
development.
- Maintain an active agenda of¿creative activity, in composition and related subjects
- Engage in¿a variety of
service activities including committees, outreach, and community partnerships.
- Engage in recruitment activities, including
prospective MFA student evaluation.
Collaborate with faculty across the Conservatory providing interdisciplinary experiences that
train students in an integrated artist-scholar framework.
Qualifications - Terminal degree in Digital /
Projection Design or Equivalent professional experience (ABD considered).
- Expertise in scenic projections, digital content
creation, 3-D mapping, and immersive media for live entertainment.
- Evidence of¿successful teaching experience, preferably at the
University / professional level.
- Demonstrated and increasing profile of research and scholarly productivity, including design for
the theatre, film, and emerging media forms.
- Active involvement in¿professional organizations, with long-term potential for
leadership.
- Organizational and interpersonal skills necessary for success in higher education.
- Previous artistic
leadership, collaboration, and community engagement through performance or educational initiatives.
Anticipated Hiring
Range Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience and evidence of collaborative scholarly activity. This is a
9-month, benefit-eligible, full-time (1.0) faculty appointment eligible for tenure and promotion.
Your total compensation goes
beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add
to your bottom line. Our academic workloads and schedules promote a positive work/life balance.
Application
Materials For consideration, you must apply online at click in Academic
Positions, Job Opening ID
57576 .
Please complete the Application and submit the following materials:
- A
one-page letter that explains how your work in the past or in the future aligns with the Conservatory Vision Statement
- Curriculum Vitae
- Current contact information for at least three professional references
- Links to representative scholarly and/or artistic
work
Please combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as your resume attachments. Limit
document name to 50 characters and do not include any special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). Maximum size limit is 11MB.
- If you are experiencing technical problems during application, please email [email protected] .
- For questions about the position, please contact [email protected] including the Job Identification number 57576 and
name of the position.
- Reasonable accommodations may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an
accommodation, please contact the Office of Equity and Title IX at (816) 235-1323.
Higher education transcripts will be required
for candidates advancing as finalists. Candidates will receive prior notification if references will be contacted. A Criminal Background
Check is required for the finalist offered the position.
Handling of Application Materials After initial
review by the committee all uploaded materials may be shared with all faculty in the prospective home division. For cluster appointments,
materials may be shared with faculty in collaborative divisions.
Application Deadline Review of applications
will begin November 1st and continue until a qualified candidate is hired.
Community
Information UMKC is a public, urban, research university with more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate, and
professional students. It is part of the larger University of Missouri System of four campuses. UMKC is the designated Arts Campus for the
UM System. Our university is committed to being a model urban university that is recognized for our partnerships with surrounding urban
communities to effectively foster a healthy, safe, and more economically secure quality of life.
We are proud to be
Kansas
City's university! A City on the Rise:
Big City Life and Midwest Charm, Kansas City offers the best of both worlds - a vibrant, urban community with midwestern appeal and
an affordable cost of living. The city's rich history and its modern-day, innovative thinking come together to create an eclectic group of
neighborhoods that offer a little something for everyone. From thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife, casual to upscale
shopping and champion sports teams, you will have no problem making yourself at home. As one of the largest cities in Missouri, we are home
to the internationally acclaimed Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts , a rich history of
jazz, cultural arts and music venues, a new international airport, national championship sports teams, NASCAR racing, and a community that
is very engaged with and supportive of our university initiatives. Our beautiful state has rolling hills, rivers, lakes, and long
bike/hiking trails all within a short drive for those that enjoy time in the great outdoors. Kansas City offers something for everyone!
Benefit Eligibility This position is eligible
for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical,
dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University
benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at .
Equal Employment
Opportunity The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity
Employer .
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.
Job Tags
Full time, Casual work, Work at office,