GRANT WOOD FELLOW-INTERDISCIPLINARY PERF. -THEATRE

The Grant Wood Fellowship (http://grantwood.uiowa.edu/fellowship) program at The University of Iowa, which supports one-year fellowships in the arts, is currently seeking a candidate appointed through the department of Theatre Arts with a specialty in interdisciplinary digital media in live performance. We seek applications from emerging to mid-career artists who are engaged in creating theatrical experiences, performances, happenings, and/or interactive installations that incorporate video, projections, and new/emerging technologies in bold and exciting ways to engage audiences for the twenty first century. The fellow will promote interdisciplinarity across the university in teaching, research, and creative work.

Fellows Receive:

• An appointment as a Grant Wood Fellow in Interdisciplinary Performance-Theatre, Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts


• $40,000 salary plus benefits


• Office in the Theatre Building


• Private furnished housing (in the off-campus Grant Wood Art Colony. Families are eligible for housing.)


• Shared studio space in newly created Motion Capture/VR Studio & performance space that includes:
  
  
  
  • 26 camera, 20’x36’ Optitrack/Motive 3 motion capture studio
  
  
  • 9 camera mobile Optitrack motion capture system
  
  
  • Inertia motion capture suits
  
  
  • VR and live performance integration via Quest 2 and pro headsets
  
  
  • Media server integrations with Disguise, Watchout, Pandoras Box, Pixera, Isadora, and Qlab
  
  
  • Unreal Engine and Unity integrations
  
  
  • Content creation and render computers
  
  
  • Laser projectors, live cameras, camera switchers, professional video production and post-production equipment and software, professional audio equipment
  
  
  
  


• Two hours per week of dedicated staff support from the Digital Media Specialist for research with advanced technologies conducted in the Motion Capture/VR Studio


• Access to greenscreen studios


• Access to sound recording studios

Fellowship Recipient Responsibilities

• Teach one course each semester (two courses total). Depending on the candidate’s strengths and area of specialization they may teach:
  
  
  
  • Fall: Producing/Directing Digital Video or Installations and Interactive Performance or Special Topics course in Digital Media and Live Performance
  
  
  • Spring: Video for Performance (projection design 101) or Performance, Art, and New Technologies in Society, or Special Topics course in Digital Media and Live Performance
  
  
  
  


• Present at least one public performance of their research and/or design projections/digital media for one play in the Department of Theatre Arts mainstage season.


• Provide one public lecture of their research at the Stanley Museum of Art.


• Participate in public engagement activities (e.g., educational programming, collaboration with local arts organizations, activities with local community, etc.)


• Collaboration with students and faculty within the Department of Theatre Arts and the Digital Arts Certificate program. This collaboration could include research, creative scholarship, guest lectures in other courses, presentations for certificate students, or advising a certificate capstone project, etc.


• Fellows are required to maintain residence in the Grant Wood Art Colony.

Submission: To apply for this position, go to http://jobs.uiowa.edu  and refer to requisition #75818.  To recieve prime consideration, applications should be submitted by January 15, 2026, but will continue until filled.

Applications must include:

• A cover letter indicating interest, qualifications, teaching experience, and creative practice.


• Professional resume or curriculum vita.


• An artist statement discussing personal and social impact goals.


• A representative sample of the applicant’s work (for example, link to digital materials, website).


• Contact information for three professional references.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment and provide a related release and will be subject to a criminal background and credential check. 

The University of Iowa has a historic commitment to the arts. The Department of Theatre Arts is one of the oldest and most respected theatre programs in the country. We offer students the opportunity to earn an undergraduate BA degree or an MFA degree with an emphasis in acting, directing, design, playwriting, dramaturgy, or stage management. The Public Digital Arts Certificate provides students with the skills they need to apply cutting edge technologies and multiple media platforms to new forms of artistic expression

New work and collaboration are the hallmarks of our department. For more than 90 years, we have supported the development of new plays by students, faculty, and distinguished guests. We recognize that every play, whether new or old, is brought to life through the complex collaborative effort of a writer, director, dramaturg, designers, actors, stage managers, and technicians. In order to support this process, we seek to create an atmosphere of passion for the art and generosity of spirit.

The Iowa City/Coralville area has a population of about 75,000 and is a cultural center with a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Its public schools, libraries, and health care facilities are rated as outstanding.

• MFA, MA or PhD degree in Theatre or other fine arts & technology/new media discipline or equivalent professional experience.  

• Demonstrated expertise in digital media, new/emerging technologies, interactive media, and/or video/projection for live performance.


• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with students and colleagues in a performing arts capacity, providing a training ground and opportunities for experiential learning.

• University level teaching experience.


• Demonstrated proficiency with large format video projection, live video, and media servers such as Disguise, Isadora, Touch Designer, Pixera, or Pandoras Box software.


• Video production/filmmaking experience.


• Experience and/or interest with experimenting with virtual, augmented, or mixed reality, including Unity, Unreal, Notch, or 3DS Max software.


• Experience and/or interest with motion capture technologies such as OptiTrack or Vicon and/or inertia motion capture suit technologies such as Perception Nueron, Rokoko or Realsense suits. 


• Experience working on productions in an academic setting, preferably in a higher education setting.

To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.