Faculty of Arts, Design and Social Sciences

Department of Arts

Located in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne; a vibrant city with a flourishing visual and performing arts scene and home to numerous creative and cultural venues; the Department of Arts is a leading centre for supporting and energising creative practice and academic study informed by cultural partnerships, inter-disciplinary collaborations and through national and international networks. The aim of the Department is to make a difference to the artistic and cultural landscape through excellence in learning and teaching, student support, dedicated research and scholarly activity, reflective professional practice, knowledge exchange and enterprise.

The Department is ranked in the top 20 in the UK (Art and Design). The quality and depth of the curriculum is reinforced by a dynamic research and enterprise culture, covering all aspects of the work of our staff and students. It is made up of 3 distinct communities of practice: Fine Art and Animation; Film, TV and Performance; and Visual and Material Cultures. Across these three communities there are more than 50 staff, ranging from internationally renowned Fine Art and Performance practitioners to critical scholars of Art History; Film and Television; the Creative Industries; and Art Conservation and Preservation. Staff exhibit at venues across the world, publish widely, and collaborate with the cultural sector and creative organisations internationally.There are more than 600 students in the department from undergraduate to a thriving PGR community.

The largest programmes in the department are the BA Fine Art and BA Film and TV Production, and the department is also home to programmes from BA Film and TV Studies, BA Drama to postgraduate taught programmes in Creative and Cultural Industries and in Art Conservation. The department plays a leading role in Northumbria’s AHRC doctoral training partnership for Art and Design. The partnership led by Northumbria and involving The University of Sunderland, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the National Glass Centre, Sunderland, is one of seven Centres for Doctoral Training funded by the AHRC. The Department is currently involved in an application for the next generation of doctoral partnerships.

We have long established relationships with cultural and creative organisations with whom we deliver programmes and research, including Channel Four, LIVE Theatre, Bowes Museum, The National Trust, Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums, Vane, Tate Modern, Globe Gallery. Arts is the home of Northumbria’s unique partnership with the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead – the BxNU Institute. The BxNU Institute of Contemporary Art is situated in BALTIC 39, a purpose built studio and exhibition complex in the centre of the city from which we deliver several postgraduate programmes, including an MFA programme and work together on a shared research agenda. BxNU received the Times Higher Award for ‘Excellence and Innovation in the Arts’ in 2012.

The Department is also home to a number of key resources including the University Gallery, Gallery North, the University’s extensive art collection.

Head of Department of Arts

The first five years of engagement will be as Head of Department. In this role, you will:

  • Provide strategic leadership and operational management of academic excellence across all areas of activity within the Department.
  • Working with the Faculty Executive, lead the development of programme content within the department and ensure quality, enhancement and research-led teaching underpins all Undergraduate and Postgraduate provision as appropriate.
  • Working with the Faculty Executive and Department’s Professors, lead the development and maintenance of high quality research, innovation and enterprise across all areas of the Department and Faculty’s provision and activities.
  • Contribute to the management of all academic income streams (Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research, Innovation and Enterprise).
  • Identify and respond to market indicators and market trends in relation to programme development and delivery, research and innovation, internationalisation, enterprise and the student experience within the Department.
  • Support the Faculty Executive to develop, monitor and deliver the Faculty’s Annual Plan and 5 Year Plan, contributing to the achievement of the University’s Corporate Strategy objectives.
  • Identify, and ensure the achievement of, objectives and Key Performance Indicators for all aspects of provision and activity within the Department.
  • Manage expenditure and the use of other resources in the delivery of the Department’s activity.
  • Work closely with the Faculty Associate Pro Vice-Chancellors and the Faculty Business Manager to ensure the planning and management of academic workloads within the Department to ensure the effective delivery of all of the Department’s activities, taking account of staff development needs, research activity and succession planning.
  • Ensure fair and consistent application of University policies and procedures and compliance with appropriate legislation including, for example, equality and diversity, health and safety and data protection.
  • Manage and develop academic colleagues (collectively) within the department in growing a high performance culture.
  • Appraise and develop staff in the department, to include; career development and succession planning, spotting talent and providing the right incentives for academics and other staff to contribute effectively.
  • Represent the Faculty internally and University externally on committees, working groups, forums and at other events. This may include chairing committees and ensuring the effective operation of relevant sub-committees and working groups.
  • Positively promote the University within and outside the University to build networks, which will assist and inform the development of the Faculty and the University.
  • Contribute to and support Faculty and University-wide initiatives and portfolios as required by the University and the Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty.
  • Make an appropriate contribution to the Faculty’s portfolio of teaching, research, enterprise and professional activities in light of other responsibilities, as agreed with the Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty.

After the first 5 years of appointment, the opportunity will arise to return to the Department as Professor to focus on research and teaching.