Assistant Teaching Professor/Animation and Illustration

Assistant Teaching Professor - Animation and Illustration

College of Visual and Performing Arts

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

The College of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth invites applications for an Assistant Teaching Professor in Animation and Illustration. This is a non-tenure-track, two-year renewable position beginning on September 1, 2025.

The College seeks a dynamic, imaginative 2D animator, illustrator, artist, and educator who is passionate about student success in interdisciplinary art and design. The ideal candidate has strong visual art skills, stays current with industry trends, and demonstrates expertise in professional creative work across a range of platforms. The successful candidate will be expected to combine traditional methods with emerging technologies in meaningful ways.

The appointed individual will be responsible for teaching a variety of introductory, intermediate, and advanced 2D Animation and Illustration courses. Alongside leading undergraduate classes, this individual will mentor graduate students, contribute to curriculum development, advise undergraduates, and serve on departmental and college committees, as well as perform other tasks as assigned to support the objectives of the Department of Art & Design.

Minimum qualifications:

• MFA or terminal degree in Animation, Illustration, or a related field (e.g., Media Arts, Digital Media, Game Design). Equivalent industry experience may be considered in lieu of a graduate-level degree.
• Over four years of professional experience in 2D animation or illustration.
• Proficiency in current industry tools and practices for 2D animation and illustration.
• Experience teaching at the college level, with a proven track record of student success in digital art, animation, and/or illustration.

Preferred qualifications:

• Documented success in student learning in areas such as storyboarding, visual storytelling, time-based media, digital rendering, motion illustration, experiential creative technology and production in both 2D animation and illustration, with 3D skills being an additional asset.
• Proficiency with software such as Adobe Photoshop, Animate, After Effects, Procreate, and Blender's Grease Pencil.
• An active record of scholarship and professional achievement.

The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) at UMass Dartmouth holds NASAD accreditation for both undergraduate and graduate programs. CVPA has over 500 students and is the flagship visual and performing arts college in the UMass college system. In addition to the ten concentrations offered by the Department of Art & Design, CVPA also offers degrees in Art History, Art Education, Music, and Music Education. Centrally located between Boston, Providence, Cape Cod, and Newport, UMass Dartmouth's enrollment comprises 7,759 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 100 bachelor's and master's degree programs. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and inclusive faculty and staff committed to excellence in teaching and research.

SALARY: $70,000 - $73,000

UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:

• 75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• State Pension Retirement Plan
• Optional Retirement Savings Plans
• Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
• Twelve (12) paid holidays
• And More!

Benefits for Faculty Federation

Please submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, artist or professional statement, examples of course syllabi and assignments, 20 examples of student work, and names and contact information for three professional references. Prospective candidates should also include a digital portfolio or reel featuring at least 20 samples of professional and/or creative work demonstrating expertise in both animation and illustration.

The review of complete applications will begin on January 21st and will be ongoing until the position is filled.

Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.