Assistant Professor of Animation: Lesley University

Company: Association of Academic Museums & Galleries.
Location: Somerville
Posted on: June 18, 2022

Job Description:

Assistant Professor of Animation: Lesley University Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley University is highly regarded for its graduate and undergraduate programs in education, the arts, and applied social sciences. Lesley fosters a highly creative environment in which innovative ideas thrive, theory is integrated with practice and its 7,000 students and 87,000 alumni are empowered to improve and enrich communities. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, life, and long-term-disability insurance. In addition, we offer generous amounts of vacation and holiday time, as well as a tuition remission policy that enables employees to expand their knowledge and skills. Please note that all Core faculty at Lesley University are represented by the Service Employees International Union, Local 509 (SEIU). The College of Art and Design's Commitment to Diversity and Social Justice We welcome students, faculty, and staff from all races, cultures, gender, and sexual identities. Diversity makes our campus stronger; a variety of voices leads to greater understanding and cooperation. Our community has a history of social activism, and at the heart of our efforts is a commitment to social justice.

• The self-identified student body at the College of Art and Design is 34% persons of color.
• Recent visiting artists to Lesley include LaToya Ruby Frazier, Carrie Mae Weems, Nick Cave, Edwidge Danticat, Twyla Tharp, Suzanne Lacy, Judith Jamison, Sebastiao Salgado, and Luis Gonzalez Palma to mention just some.
• The Office of Community Engagement at the College of Art and Design has over 50 established community partners in Cambridge and Somerville, including -Artists for Humanity, -Boston Arts Academy, -Boston LGBT Film Festival, -Cambridge Women's Center, -ICNA Relief - Muslims for Humanity, Teen Media Program, Transition House, and the -Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy -to mention just some.
• The College of Art and Design created and sponsors the monthly Art & Social Justice Film Series for the university and local community. Recent titles include "Beyond Boston," a collaborative project film has a particular focus on gentrification and homelessness in Cambridge and Greater Boston; "P.S. I Can't Breath" by Rochelle White; "Hoodie to Hijab" film shorts exploring representations of Muslim American women; "Happy and Gay" by Lorelei Pepi to name just a few.
  Job Description: Lesley University is looking for a full-time faculty member to join our College of Art and Design's, Animation department. This faculty member's emphasis will be in interdisciplinary studio practice, critical discourse and visual culture. Our animation program is rapidly expanding, and as such, faculty must be able and willing to learn different mediums and software programs to support the four new paths being taught: Character Animation, in both 2D and 3D, Experimental Animation, Asset Animation Designer - fabrication, environments, game assets, etc., and VFX. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
  • Teaching: 7 units, or the equivalent full-time teaching load, per academic year; assists students with professional internships and department Independent Studies.
  • Curriculum: Develops new courses and participates in department and school curriculum development. Participates in continual and year-end department assessments, and cyclical departmental reviews. Works with Department Chair to identify new trends in industry and develops courses to prepare students for a professional career.
  • Mentoring: -students in Animation from freshman to seniors; maintains regular weekly office hours during the academic year. Mentors new adjunct faculty in the department.
  • Service: Participates in program, school and university meetings and serves on 2 significant committees, one university-wide and one interdepartmental at the College of Art and Design. Helps to organize departmental activities such as juries and year-end reviews, student professional organizations, student groups and academic activities (extra curricular), and exhibitions.
  • Admissions: -Attends admissions events such as open houses, portfolio days, and Accepted Students Day, and assists in contacting potential candidates and accepted students.
  • Scholarship: Maintains active creative production, research or scholarship in the field of animation.
    Requirements:
    • Earned Master of Fine Arts degree; or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree plus at least 5 years' professional experience in animation.
    • A minimum of three years of successful teaching experience college or university level or professional experience in animation.
    • A strong commitment to teaching, and the ability to teach courses from foundation to senior level.
    • Demonstrated meritorious professional and scholarly achievement, and a commitment to continued advancement of your professional practice.
    • Demonstration of curriculum development experience.
    • In-depth understanding of a broad range of contemporary practices, theories, concepts and applications in the Animation profession, including the 12 Principles of Animation.
    • Demonstrated working knowledge of how to establish best practices for professional career tracks for animators, and the ability to build internship contacts.
    • Knowledge and willingness to teach traditional character animation, experimental animation and stop motion animation techniques.
    • Willingness and ability to learn any animation program or tool that supports our program including the use of digital video, graphics software, sound design, editing and compositing.
    • Must be authorized to work in the United States; if you hold a visa, your visa status must allow you to work at Lesley University. Preferred Qualifications:
      • Ability to teach 2D and 3D narrative using game engines such as Unity and UDK is desirable.
        Additional Information: Compensation and rank will be commensurate with experience and degree obtained. Background checks are required for all positions. Lesley University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to increasing the diversity of the university community and the curriculum. Candidates who believe they can contribute to this goal are encouraged to apply.
        Application Instructions: A cover letter, CV/resume, statement of teaching philosophy, a sample syllabus from a course you have taught, and links to both personal work and work of your students; plus contact information for three references must be included for full consideration. Applications will be reviewed upon the establishment of an appropriate pool of candidates. For consideration, please use the link below to apply online via our website. The Association of Academic Museums and Galleries is the leading educational and professional organization for academic museums, galleries, and collections. In recognition of the unique opportunities and challenges of its constituents, the AAMG establishes and supports best practices, educational activities and professional development that enable its member organizations to fulfill their educational missions.

Keywords: Association of Academic Museums & Galleries., Somerville , Assistant Professor of Animation: Lesley University, Education / Teaching , Somerville, Massachusetts