Temporary Full-Time Faculty - Animation

About MassArt:

Founded in 1873, and celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023, Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), is the nation's first and only independent, free-standing public college of art and design in the country. MassArt is an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, makers, educators, innovators and leaders striving to shape the future through art and design. We've spent 150 years demonstrating the truly amazing things that happen when a world-class art and design education is an option for every deserving student. Located in Boston's hub of arts and culture along the Avenue of the Arts, MassArt enrolls 2,000 students and offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in 18 disciplines, as well as continuing education and youth programs.

MassArt strives to be a model of diversity and inclusion; the campus community reflects the layers of cultural and self-identity that proudly make up our region, nation, and world. We build effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the College by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance to all and maintain an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.

Job Description:

MassArt is the oldest, and one of two public, state supported, independent colleges of art and design in the country. We are committed to serving the public, and the broad demographic of students from across the Commonwealth, the region, the nation, and beyond. MassArt seeks to be a leader in increasing diversity within its curriculum and supports programs, faculty, staff, and student populations in reaching this goal. As we aim to promote an inclusive environment, we seek candidates who can actively participate in our shared goals. We encourage applicants to identify their strengths in the area of diversity and inclusiveness. In this urgent time MassArt prioritizes the teaching of sustainability in art and design and defines it as addressing and solving the problems at the intersection of social justice, health and wellbeing, and the environment.

The Animation Department at Massachusetts College of Art & Design (MassArt) in Boston, MA, is seeking an animation instructor who is engaged in contemporary practice and techniques, for a full-time, Temporary Faculty position beginning fall semester, 2024. The duties of the position include planning, organizing, and delivering course material and content, assessing student learning, and engaging with students. All full-time faculty are also responsible for student advising, committee assignments, office hours, departmental meetings and attending university functions.

The Animation Program at MassArt

The Animation department at MassArt is a multifaceted program, and includes core courses that address a variety of approaches and skill sets. Course offerings include classes in digital animation (2D & 3D), experimental animation, narrative animation, character animation, sound design, game design, and stop-motion animation.

Students sample many of these modes of working throughout the three-year program in animation, which culminates in a year-long degree project during their senior year.

MassArt's Animation department began as a single animation course offered to a handful of students within the illustration department in 2001, to its current enrollment of more than 200 majors.

The faculty and staff of the animation department endeavor to create a nurturing and supportive learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and learning abilities, with the goal of encouraging students to develop a strong, personal voice through their animated work. Course assignments focus on various approaches to problem solving, with experimentation and innovation strongly encouraged.

https://massart.edu/academics/programs/animation

Salary: $64,000 - $74,000 commensurate with experience

Position is governed by the MSCA collective bargaining agreement

Job Duties

• Prepare and deliver instruction to students in assigned modalities as per the schedule and course contract using a variety of teaching methods and strategies.

• Design and implement engaging classes and instructional material that demonstrate real-world applications of concepts discussed/studied.

• Provide feedback on students' progress, including evaluation of student mastery of course and program outcomes using school's key assignments, as required.

• Prepare and submit required documentation (to the College and to students) complying with policies and procedures including but not limited to: disability accommodations, syllabus and textbook submissions, attendance, grades, training, course evaluations, in-seat time, learning outcomes assessments, learning management system, email and technology, faculty evaluation, etc.

• Evaluate and select text and instructional materials and prepare course materials and lesson plans.

• Provide availability for student consultation 3 hours per week on two different days.

• Notify Department Chair of student situations/issues (i.e. academic integrity).

• Use College-provided tools and resources to offer feedback to students in matters related to academic success in a timely manner and to respond to the department and division. All official email communications between the faculty and students and/or the College must be conducted through MassArt's email server.

• Maintain and disseminate current information pertaining to services available to students throughout the College.

• Maintain professional development/growth according to personal needs and requirements for certification (if applicable).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Commitment to stay current and continually improve knowledge and understanding of the discipline.

• Commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring students. Knowledge and understanding of adult learner principles and respect for students as well as genuine interest in their learning.

• Ability to design learning activities to achieve determined learning outcomes.

• Ability to develop and implement diverse teaching and learning for different learning styles and to respond to the needs of learners from a variety of educational backgrounds in a multicultural environment.

• Ability to use formative and summative assessment measures to enhance learning.

• Skill in the use of personal computers and general office software. Ability to effectively communicate interpersonally orally, and in writing.

• Good organizational skills and interpersonal relationship skills with students and colleagues.

• Previous experience and aptitude with administrative tasks in an academic setting is an integral trait for a tenure-track hire in animation. Administrative duties may include, but are not limited to, budgeting, student and faculty scheduling, event planning, curriculum development, and the logistics and advocacy that surround the needs of a growing department in a state institution with limited resources.

This position also shares in responsibilities related to departmental planning, review boards, mentoring, student advising and school-wide, governance committee work. The position is based on a 3/3 course load.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience

• 2 + years of teaching at the undergraduate level (not including teaching assistant positions).

• A strong body of animated work. This can include personal work, commissioned work, or both.

• A demonstrated commitment to teaching, shared leadership, collegiality, and working with a diverse student body from a variety of learning levels.

• Ability to teach across genres of animation.

• An active engagement with contemporary pedagogy and critique methods.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Candidates who have experience with a variety of teaching methods and/or curricular perspectives are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• Massachusetts College of Art and Design prefers that full-time faculty members hold a terminal degree in their relevant discipline. The Animation Department will also consider candidates with an undergraduate degree in a related discipline and professional or independent experience in animation equivalent of an advanced degree.

Additional Information:

Please note MassArt does not provide the following:

• Employment-based visa sponsorship or non-student exchange visitor visa sponsorship.

• E-Verify.

• Reimbursement for travel.

Selected candidates must complete all onboarding tasks including a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) background review and verification of the Form I9, Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. You are required to show proof of your identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days of the start of your employment. You will not be authorized to work in any capacity until all paperwork has been completed. For a list of all acceptable documents please click here

Comprehensive Benefits:

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Please click here to view MassArt Benefits.

MassArt provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class. MassArt complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the college operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

Application Instructions:

Deadline: Preference will be given to applicants who apply before March 15, 2024.

Application Requirements:

• Letter of interest

• Comprehensive CV, including a list of courses taught

• Links to personal work (if password protected, please provide complete instructions to access)