Asst. Prof. of ModernContemporary Dance

Institution: Hampshire College

Job Title: Assistant Professor of Modern/Contemporary Dance

Type: Full Time

Anticipated Start Date: July 1 2026

Starting Salary: $65399-$80000

Hampshire College an experimental institution with a mission to advance social justice and transform higher education is accepting applications for a full-time Assistant Professor of Modern/Contemporary Dance. The position begins July 1 2026.

We seek a dance artist/scholar actively engaged in the practice and theory of modern/contemporary dance with a record of excellence as a performer-choreographer and a proven commitment to undergraduate teaching optimally in an undergraduate liberal arts program. Excellence in teaching modern/contemporary dance technique and choreography-composition at all levels of instruction is required. We are seeking experience in a range of areas of interest such as experimental or site-specific choreography dance in the community and dance history and performance studies would be welcome. The ideal candidate will integrate technical creative historical cultural and scientific dimensions of dance into his or her teaching and will have a broad knowledge of current practices and discourse in dance. We especially welcome candidates who emphasize current transnational and transcultural practices and who incorporate art historical critical and/or philosophical writings in their coursework. Applicants should demonstrate an aptitude for innovative undergraduate teaching and advising and the ability to work effectively within a culturally diverse and multidisciplinary campus community. Overall our faculty members are nimble: able to teach broadly from introductory to advanced levels and eager to contribute both core courses and inventive transdisciplinary classes that cross boundaries stimulate and support project-based student addition to teaching the successful candidate will be expected to choreograph/set work on students serve as artistic director of dance concerts and mentor student choreography and research. Candidate will develop and oversee the vision design and management of the Hampshire Dance Program and take on a leadership role in Five College Dance. A successful candidate should demonstrate experience and skills in program and curricular development and leadership. An MFA (or its equivalent) in dance is required.

The Hampshire College Dance Program is a member of Five College Dance comprised of the dance programs at Amherst Hampshire Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. This collaboration makes FCD the largest dance program in New England. The FCD curriculum encourages students to balance performance and creative studies with a broad understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of different dance traditions. They may shape their studies in either traditional or interdisciplinary ways reflecting the wide range of career options and new directions of the contemporary field. FCD offers around 100 courses a year numerous performing opportunities and a performing arts calendar equal to a major metropolis.

Hampshires academic program is unique within higher education in the United States. Students draw from multiple disciplines and methodologies to develop their own concentrations and every student completes a year-long substantial project synthesizing their course of study as a condition of graduation. Students are provided narrative evaluations of their work instead of grades. Our student community is distinctively diverse: this year 39% are BIPOC or international 37.5% receive Pell Grants approximately a third are neurodivergent and a substantial majority identify as LGBTQIA. Hampshire is a member of the Five College consortium (Amherst College Smith College Mount Holyoke College and the University of Massachusetts) and located in Amherst MA.

Building on its student-driven approach Hampshire is implementing a radically new academic program that emphasizes urgent challenges transdisciplinary antiracism community engagement and project-based skills. We conveneLearning Collaboratives that assemble faculty students and staff to address urgent questions developed by and voted on by the community. Additionally Hampshire has implemented a Race and Power requirement that ensures students staff and faculty alike will engage in critical reflection on racial justice and equity throughout their Hampshire the letter of application candidates are encouraged to explain how their teaching and scholarly/artistic work does or could contribute to this curricular and pedagogical vision.

The successful candidate will:

• Teach 2-3 courses during each semester (Fall and Spring)
• Work in individual or group settings to advise and mentor an increasingly diverse body of Hampshire students
• Be eager to participate in continuous pedagogical experimentation

Required qualifications:

• An MFA or equivalent terminal degree (in-hand by time of appointment)
• Demonstrated teaching and ideally advising experience at the undergraduate level
• An active artistic practice
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively within a culturally diverse and multi-disciplinary campus community

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity employer and deeply committed to a community of excellence equity diversity and inclusion. Were particularly committed to revealing and combating the social and institutional structures that support racism and white supremacy in all phases of employment and college life. We believe that the educational and employment environment is enhanced when diverse groups of people with diverse ideas come together to work and grow. We encourage applications from women underrepresented minorities persons with disabilities sexual minority groups veterans and other candidates who will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. Hampshire College is committed to removing barriers to employment faced by equity-seeking groups and encourages (but does not require) members of these groups to self-identify in their application materials. Applicants whose work incorporates a global perspective and a demonstrated commitment to issues of diversity in the work environment are particularly encouraged to apply.

Candidates should attach the following to their application as additional documents:

• A cover letter describing your teaching (including titles of specific courses at the introductory intermediate and advanced levels) artistic/scholarly interests
• A statement addressing your approach to justice equity and antiracism (JEA) in teaching philosophy and practice
• A curriculum vitae
• Names titles and contact information for three references
• Links to professional choreographic and performance work (preferably to also include work set on student dancers)
• Finalists might be asked for links to samples of their teaching

If you have general questions about this search please email

Review of applications will begin February 2026 and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity institution committed to diversity and inclusion in education and employment.

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