Associate Dean of Fine Arts jobs in Cranston, RI

This position, reporting to the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, oversees the district's Fine and Performing Arts programs. Responsibilities include supervising and evaluating program activities, leading teacher recruitment and selection, and assisting in orientation and evaluation processes. The role involves managing department budgets, requisitioning supplies, and ensuring effective inventory control. Additionally, it focuses on developing and implementing curriculum objectives, fostering school-community relations, and enhancing student achievement through best practices and professional learning activities. Collaborating with principals, guidance counselors, and other departments is essential for curriculum development, vertical alignment, and effective transitioning across schools. The role also includes organizing department meetings, contributing to schedule planning, attending professional development conferences, and handling substitute teacher assignments. The Executive Director may assign other duties.

RIDE Requirements:

• Rhode Island Building Level Administrator and

• RI Content Certification (Art, Music, Theatre, etc)

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university specializing in fine or performing arts and coursework in curriculum, supervisory, and administrative coursework.

• Right to Read Proficiency within one year of hire

• ESL Preferred

• Bilingual or Multilingual preferred

The Director of Fine Arts, which includes Visual and Performing arts (such as vocal, instrumental, performance, debate, forensics, dance, and theater), will work collaboratively with district staff to

• Design, guide, and supervise services that ensure rigor, depth, complexity, and challenge for the district’s learners. 

• Develop plans for professional learning in the knowledge and practices of the Arts instruction. 

• The Director will also ensure increased access to challenging courses for all district students, enhancing and broadening opportunities for future education and career options.  

• The Director of Fine Arts will facilitate improvements in instructional practices based on the National Core Arts Standards, best practices in Fine Arts, and best practices throughout the total teaching and learning curriculum.

• Provide a strategic plan to support the Arts through collaboration with teachers and community partners to enhance the Art programs within the District’s schools. 

• Organize central planning, financial planning, and communication of the District’s Art exhibits and performances to the community.

• Establishes and monitors an inventory of equipment for fine and performing arts. 

• Monitor, track, and plan for short and long-term budget needs to support programs using an Academic Return on Investment Model. 

• Collaborate with local, state, and regional organizations to promote the Fine Arts programs in the District and enrich the opportunities for students to earn local, regional, and national recognition. 

• Collaborates with school vocal and instrumental directors to select, procure, and plan annual performances. 

• Actively collaborate with Transformation Officers and Principals to integrate fine and performing arts into the overall strategy for enhancing school performance and student achievement."

• Regularly visit schools to observe arts instruction and provide actionable feedback to educators, aiming to continuously improve teaching practices and student learning outcomes in the arts.

• Meet regularly with fine and performing arts department and teacher leaders to ensure vertical and horizontal articulation of curriculum and instructional vision.

• Utilize data analysis to inform continuous improvement in fine and performing arts programming, ensuring alignment with educational equity and excellence goals.

• Possess strong skills in conducting difficult conversations, enabling effective resolution of issues and fostering a positive environment for students and staff.

• Exhibit proficiency in reporting program progress and needs up to district leadership and down to program staff, ensuring effective communication and alignment with district arts education goals.

• Employ strategic visioning for arts education district-wide, coupled with a meticulous attention to detail in the communication and execution of arts programs and initiatives.

• Works under the general direction of the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

• Successful recent leadership experiences in assessing program needs, curriculum development, program implementation, and staff training or other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience that provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered. 

• Experience in test development, curriculum development, and grant writing desirable.

• Experience with computers and instructional technology applications. 

• Experience using Arts technology to support teaching and learning, curriculum development, staff training, and program and student accountability. 

• Demonstrated communication skills, both written and oral.

• Demonstrated organizational skills.

• Must have the knowledge and skills to build positive relationships with people from diverse populations

• Commitment to the mission and vision of PPSD and the relevance of job functions to that mission and vision