Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Artist in Dance

The Glorya Kaufman School of Dance (KSOD) is home to a dynamic community of artists and scholars who affirm dance in its many forms through creative expression, scholarship, and public engagement. Founded in 2012 with an extraordinary gift from visionary founder Glorya Kaufman, the School of Dance became USC’s sixth art school and, at that time, its first new school in nearly forty years. Students, faculty, and staff benefit from a state-of-the-art facility, the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center, where they learn in a focused, supportive, and collaborative environment. A conservatory-style program uniquely positioned inside one of the world’s leading universities, the BFA program is shaped by renowned faculty and contributions from a dynamic roster of resident and guest artists and scholars.         

JOB DESCRIPTION

KSOD is currently welcoming applications for the Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Artist in Dance, who will succeed multi-dimensional leaders in the field, William Forsythe and Kyle Abraham. The school seeks an acclaimed mid- or late-career artist with expertise in embodied practice-as-research; the successful candidate will be a visionary, collaborative, dynamic and innovative thought-partner prepared to play an integral role in shaping the BFA experience over a two-year period of engagement. Artists will be expected to spend a mutually agreed-upon period (typically 3 weeks per year) in residence at KSOD in active engagement with the school’s BFA students. Involvement may include, but is not limited to, movement exploration and improvisation, choreography, repertory, and the facilitation of other workshops or special events. Additional responsibilities may include mentoring students and faculty on career goals and representing Kaufman within local, national and international dance communities. Artists will serve a diverse student population and must demonstrate a commitment to cultivating a shared sense of purpose and belonging.

QUALIFICATIONS

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance is interested in recruiting candidates who have demonstrated an ongoing impact with respect to creative activities and research, consistent with the expectations for excellence in a Research I university. Successful candidates will: (1) be an established artist in the international dance community (2) possess significant professional and/or university-level experience in pedagogy, curriculum development, choreography, community engagement, or other modalities such as dance and emergent technology.  

STARTING DATE

The Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Artist in Dance will be appointed by August 16, 2026, though the dates of the first residency will be negotiable. The initial term of the appointment will be 2 years, to conclude May 15, 2028.

REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS

Begins January 15, 2026, and continues until position is filled.

TO APPLY

Application and Review: Artists should submit a (1) letter of interest; (2) current curriculum vitae; (3) names and contact information for three current professional references. Letters of interest should indicate the candidate’s primary research interests, and how those interests would be adapted to and shared with KSOD’s community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of experience in performance, choreography, embodied research, and/or community engagement

• University-level experience teaching dance and/or equivalent professional experience in pedagogy for pre-professional artists and professionals

SALARY RANGE

The core salary range for this position is $50,000 per year. This is a part time position.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, as well as external market and organizational considerations.