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Assistant Professor of Arts Administration / Director of Music Industry
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Posting Details
Job Title
Assistant Professor of Arts Administration / Director of Music Industry
Requisition Number
FE04777
Working Title
Director of Music Industry
Department Name
8X600:Arts Administration
Work Location
Lexington, KY
Type of Position
Faculty
Position Time Status
Full-Time
Tenure Track Status
Tenure Track
Required Education
PhD in arts administration, cultural policy, nonprofit management, public administration, or a closely related field (ABD considered if degree will be completed by start date).
Required Related Experience
- Evidence of ongoing arts, cultural, music industry, and/or entertainment research and scholarly activities.
- Demonstrated teaching effectiveness at the college level.
- Commitment to collaborative, team-based work.
Required License/Registration/Certification
N/A
Job Summary
About the Department
The Department of Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky is the first stand-alone academic unit in the field in the United States and is recognized as a national leader in arts and cultural administration education. Our mission is to develop and advance a strong arts and cultural workforce through teaching, research, and service.
The department offers the BA, the MA, and the PhD in Arts Administration. The department also offers five fully online certificate programs in Arts Emergency Management (undergraduate and graduate), Creative Social Entrepreneurship (undergraduate and graduate), and Fundraising and Development (graduate) as well as Continuing Education courses. The BA, founded in 1987, is the oldest undergraduate program of its kind. The MA, launched in 2013, was the first fully online arts administration master’s program at a public institution. The PhD, established in 2020, is the first PhD in Arts Administration nationwide. Faculty engage in innovative teaching, academic research, and community-engaged scholarship.
In December 2025, the University of Kentucky announced a historic $150 million gift from the Bill Gatton Foundation to create a new Arts and Innovation District, the largest single gift in the university’s history. This district will establish a new home for the College of Fine Arts along South Broadway and will include state-of-the-art academic and performance facilities, a multi-hundred-seat theater, and a public pavilion and greenspace connecting campus with downtown Lexington. The Arts and Innovation District is envisioned as a vibrant hub for creativity, research, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.
About the BA in Music Industry
The Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry is an interdisciplinary degree designed to prepare students for careers across both the commercial and nonprofit music sectors. Drawing on the combined strengths of the Department of Arts Administration, the School of Music, Media Arts and Studies, Arts Emergency Management, and Creative Social Entrepreneurship, the program integrates artistic, managerial, and entrepreneurial perspectives. Students engage with a comprehensive curriculum that examines the business, management, production, promotion, policy, and innovation dimensions of the music industry. No prior musical training or performance experience is required, making the program accessible to students whose interests lie in the creative, strategic, and operational aspects of the field.
Coursework includes artist management, promotion and marketing, copyright and licensing, financing, and entrepreneurship, complemented by project-based learning, writing-intensive coursework, internships, experiential learning opportunities, and a culminating capstone experience. The degree was developed in response to significant student interest and emerging workforce needs in the arts, cultural, and entertainment sectors. The program encourages collaboration with community partners and campus units, supports interdisciplinary learners, and aligns with growth areas in arts entrepreneurship, cultural management, and the creative economy. It also meets all 10 Essential Skills identified in the Kentucky Graduate Profile.
Job Responsibilities
The faculty member will contribute to the department’s mission through teaching, research, and service.
Teaching, Advising, and Instructional Activities
The faculty member will:
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in music industry and arts administration (face-to-face and online) as assigned by the Chair.
- Advise students in Music Industry and the department’s other degree programs.
- Supervise experiential learning and internship activities.
- Supervise and serve on graduate committees, exams, and applied projects.
- Support the ongoing development of curriculum in music industry and other degree and certificate offerings.
Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity
The faculty member will:
- Maintain an active research agenda in areas such as music industry, arts administration, cultural policy, entertainment management, or related fields.
- Disseminate scholarship through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
- Pursue external grant funding when appropriate.
Program Leadership
As Director of the Music Industry Program, the faculty member will:
- Lead the launch and ongoing administration of the BA in Music Industry.
- Coordinate curriculum development and program assessment.
- Facilitate collaboration across departments within the College of Fine Arts and the university.
- Build and sustain partnerships with music industry professionals and organizations.
- Support recruitment, outreach, and marketing for the program.
- Guide part-time and affiliated faculty teaching in the program.
- Represent the program in college and university initiatives, including those linked to the new Arts and Innovation District.
Service to the Department, College, University, and Profession
The faculty member will:
- Serve on departmental, college, and university committees.
- Contribute to professional organizations and/or community arts initiatives.
- Support strategic initiatives, including opportunities linked to the Arts & Innovation District.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Application Process
Applicants must submit:
- CV/Resume
- Cover letter identifying at least three undergraduate and three graduate courses the candidate is prepared to teach, including certificate-aligned content
- Specific Request #1: Statement of research agenda
- Specific Request #2: Teaching philosophy
- Specific Request #3: List of references (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission)
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is August 15, 2026.
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky is the Commonwealth’s flagship, land-grant research institution and one of the nation’s fastest-growing public universities. The campus spans more than 918 acres and is home to over 38,000 students and 14,500 employees, including more than 2,300 full-time faculty. UK offers more than 90 nationally ranked academic programs and operates with an annual budget exceeding $8.6 billion. The university continues to invest significantly in academic, research, health care, and arts facilities, reflecting its commitment to student success, innovation, and statewide service.
The Chronicle of Higher Education has recognized the University of Kentucky as a “Great College to Work For,” and the institution’s Strategic Plan underscores its dedication to academic excellence, research prominence, community engagement, and workforce well-being.
Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with comprehensive rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. The University of Kentucky offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that supports employees’ health, wellness, and financial security.
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is consistently ranked among the nation’s best places to live and work. Lexington offers many educational, cultural, and commercial opportunities. With a population of over 250,000, Lexington supports cultural attractions, including opera, ballet, theater, and musical events. Surrounded by rolling hills and horse farms, the Bluegrass Region is known for its natural beauty.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No
Preferred Education/Experience
- Professional experience in arts, cultural, music industry, and/or entertainment administration.
- Experience with online instruction and instructional technology.
- Ability to teach within one or more certificate areas: Arts Emergency Management, Creative Social Entrepreneurship, and/or Fundraising & Development.
Deadline to Apply
Open Until Filled
Yes
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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