PROVOST

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Artistic/Executive Director, the Provost serves as the chief academic officer for The Art Students League of New York (the “League”) and plays a crucial role in guiding program direction and teaching quality for the organization.

As a strategic leader, the Provost will advance the League’s relevance and reach within the art education world, helping to maintain the school’s legendary status as a place that welcomes and harbors artists of all ages and aspirations. Working closely with the A/ED, the Provost oversees all League academic programs, sets academic policies, and oversees and works closely with the Director of Academic Affairs to ensure that all classes, workshops, and programs support the organizations’ mission and vision.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In collaboration with the Director of Academic Affairs, conduct a review of the League’s programs and workshops to assess their overall effectiveness in meeting and staying true to the League’s mission. The scope of the review will cover regular and special classes, certificate programs, youth programs on-site and outreach (SEEDS of the League), professional development, new student orientation, lecture series, and other programs targeted to current and prospective students.
• Oversee Director of Academic Affairs and heads of SEEDS of the League and certificate programs.
• In collaboration with the Director of Academic Affairs, act as a liaison between instructors and administration (including the A/ED).
• Stay current with academic programs at other institutions of art education, including private ateliers, high school and college art education programs, community art centers, online offerings, or summer and travel workshop programs, competitions, etc. in relation to the League’s offerings.
• Lead the creation and continued growth of the League’s Professional Development initiatives. This will range across all disciplines with a goal of advancing the skills and personal goals of artists studying with the Art Students League.
• Develop and update new educationally focused and enriching academic programs geared towards furthering the institution’s mission (adhere to the League’s commitment to no less than 50% figurative offerings across drawing, painting and sculpture) and recommend updates to academic policies for A/ED and Board approval.
• Oversee efforts in Youth Programming, in particular the Seeds of the League program, and expand this within the educational landscape of New York City with the New York City Department of Education.
• Develop an updated recruitment strategy for both general domestic and international students to the League’s certificate program with an eye towards awareness and expansion.
• Continue to maintain and expand Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with like institutions and universities.
• Conceptualize and present a vision and recommendations to the A/ED for new programs and potential revisions to existing programs.
• Set and monitor academic program budgets and resources with the Finance department.
• Identify, interview and make recommendations for the hiring of League instructors. 
• Liaise with other department heads (Development, Marketing, Gallery) on collaborative strategies.
• Provide weekly (or in a timeframe as otherwise directed) updates to the A/ED.

UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS JOB

•   Experience working with and able to earn and maintain the respect of a heterogeneous faculty of independent artists.

•   Administrative and supervisory proficiency in an institutional setting.

•   Experience working in high school, college or graduate art education programs or their equivalent; experience working in an atelier, conservatory or other professional arts program setting is a plus.

•   Knowledge of art history and contemporary trends in art, particularly but not only representational art, and with art in multiple mediums, is a plus.

•   Familiarity with traveling workshops and community program offerings.

•   Familiarity with the mission, history, and culture of The Art Students League, a plus.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Degree(s) Required/Preferred:  

MFA or MA in Education.

Years of Experience Desired:

12+ years’ administrative and academic leadership in an institutional setting,

with particular emphasis in the area of art education.

Industry or Product Knowledge:

Proven experience as an Academic Dean or in a similar role in an educational setting.

Core Skills/Abilities Required:

Strong verbal, writing, and presentation skills; proven leadership. Communication, budgetary,

and management skills; experience in academic budgeting and resource allocation.

Additional Skills/Abilities Helpful:

Extensive, current knowledge of art-based education in traditional and online learning formats.

ABOUT THE ART STUDENTS LEAGUE

The Art Students League of New York was founded in 1875 and remains an institution run by artists in support of artists. The League fulfills its mission by offering accessible, affordable, high-quality education and instruction in painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, metal work and mixed media in the context of an Atelier system. There are no entrance requirements, degrees or set curriculum. Students come for a hands-on studio education accessible to anyone who truly aspires to develop as an artist, whether they seek to pursue a profession in the fine arts or are just beginning their artistic journey. Each month, students of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels study on-site at The League or through The League’s e-telier online class program.

Many famous artists who have shaped the vocabulary of art worldwide have been instructors, lecturers, and students at the League. They include Georgia O'Keeffe, Romare Bearden, Jackson Pollock, Carmen Herrera, Robert Rauschenberg, Adrian Piper, Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, James Rosenquist and Ai-Weiwei, among many others.

The Art Students League is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The Art Students League complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

PLEASE NOTE: due to the many resumes we receive we are only able to reply to those candidates who

are selected for an interview. Thank you for your interest in the Provost position and for your understanding.

To apply for the Provost position please submit your resume along with a cover letter letting us know why your background and experience is the perfect fit for this position.

08/25/2025