Assistantships
The Department of Dance offers three types of assistantships for MFA candidates: Teaching Assistantships, Office Assistantships and the Graduate Video Media Coordinator (GV/MC) Assistantship. The Teaching and Administrative Assistantships are available on an annual basis. The GV/MC Assistantship will be available again for the Fall of 2010.
Teaching Assistantships are awarded to experienced teachers. Prospective students who have had prior teaching experience may apply for a teaching assistantship by completing the Teaching Assistantship Application Form online. A letter of recommendation from a dance professional who has observed the applicant’s teaching is required with the application.
Teaching Assistantships are given as either 17%, 25%, or 33% time. Responsibilities for the TAships include teaching one course each semester for 17%, teaching two courses one semester and one the next for 25% or teaching two courses each semester for 33%.
One Administrative Assistant is chosen from the entering MFA class each year. Administrative Assistantships are usually 17% time and require 7 hours per week of work in the departmental office. Administrative Assistants can receive both an Administrative Assistantship and a Teaching Assistantship.
The GV/MC (unavailable until 2010) is a 33%-time assistantship in the first apprentice year, and a 50%-time assistantship in the second and third years. This assistantship encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, all related to the video and media in the Department of Dance and to other facilities at the University of Illinois. The job has three distinct branches:
Video Crew Director
- Teach Video Crew course fall and spring semesters
- Teach dance documentation and camera and editing basics
- Coordinate and plan all departmental video shoots
- Oversee Video Crew’s set up - preparation - shoots
Video Archive/Dubbing
- Document department stage and other events
- Organize and maintain Department Video Archive
- Catalogue, label, duplicate to DVD, Original mini dv tapes
- Oversee check out system to grads, faculty and seniors
- Supervise GV/MC undergraduate assistant
Media Lab
- Act as the liaison between department and Media Lab
- Assist lab director in keeping track of equipment
- Assist students who need help with FCP or I-movie for classes and projects
- Dance for Camera course Assistant
The GV/MC will receive a full tuition and partial fee waiver.
Qualifications
The GV/MC must have a high comfort level with technology. S/he must have the ability to develop and maintain close working relationships with both internal and external constituents. Knowledge of mini-DV cameras, and minimal shooting skills are essential as is a basic level of knowledge or experience with a number of the following: non-linear and audio editing programs such as Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, iMovie, Peak, Pro Tools, etc. with a primary focus on Macintosh platforms. The GV/MC should demonstrate computer literacy, an orientation toward creative uses of technology, and have a compelling interest in gaining whatever skills s/he may initially lack upon receipt of the Assistantship.
All applications for these positions can be found under How to Apply.
Rates of pay can be found at http://www.ahr.uiuc.edu/Grads/Grad0809Rates.htm.
All students awarded an assistantship must apply for Work Study via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
