High-Touch Animation, Drawing & Design Instructor

Position Category: Academic
Position Title: Instructor
School/Department: Extended Studies
Reports To: Dean, Extended Studies
Time: Part-Time
Appointment: March 25 - August 16

Information & Responsibilities

CalArts Extended Studies is a self-supporting unit within California Institute of the Arts, providing  educational opportunities for creative professionals and life-long learners. CalArts Extended Studies non-degree credit courses reflect the artistic and academic integrity of the degree curriculum at CalArts. Funding is generated through fees collected from a diverse and changing student population. Part-time instructor positions are on a course by course contracted basis. The contract is for the duration of the set development and delivery periods only and is subject to sufficient enrolment.

Course Title: High-Touch Animation (Drawing & Design)
Course Development: 10 weeks, March 25 - May 30, flexible part-time hours

Course Delivery: 6 weeks,  July 8 - August 16

Course Description

Designed for experienced artists interested in professions and college programs in animation, High-Touch Animation gives students the opportunity to work one-on-one with CalArts faculty to improve foundational skills, develop an understanding of their creative goals, and find a pathway to advance artistically and professionally. Modeled in the spirit of our very popular on-campus programs, High-Touch Animation is designed to deliver the same high-quality, interpersonal experience without traveling to campus.

In order to fully participate and be successful in the class, you will need to have access to specific materials. If you already have any of the general supplies listed, you may use what you have. Links are provided for specific required items. You must purchase the exact item listed, but are welcome to purchase it from your seller of choice. 

During this 6-week online program, students earn 4 CalArts credits studying Drawing, Design, and Story under the guidance of faculty who are seasoned professionals. Through workshops, projects, and regular discussion, students advance foundational skills while enriching their portfolio and receiving creative mentorship in a supportive and constructive learning environment.

In workshops, faculty will observe students at work and have private discussions with them during the session; projects will be completed outside of class and submitted to our virtual classroom for live critique. While there is a great deal of independent work allowing for schedule flexibility, students are expected to attend classes that take place in real-time (Pacific).

In the last week of the program—to synthesize six weeks of skill building and personal mentorship—each student will meet with the teaching team for a final mentor session. This is an amazing opportunity to prepare and present your work, and gain the insight and guidance needed to achieve your animation goals.

Course Organization/Method of Instruction

This program is an intensive and synchronous online experience team taught by two faculty in the following areas: Drawing & Design, and Story. The Drawing & Design instructor will create a syllabus and lesson plans based on the existing curriculum under the guidance of Extended Studies' Director of Programs and Curriculum Development. The person selected to teach will have the ability to modify existing curriculum as long as the goals and outcomes of lessons are in line with program goals, developing life drawing skills and design principles using traditional materials.

Drawing & Design faculty will be responsible for teaching one section that meets twice each week. In the final week of the program, the Drawing and Design faculty, with the support of a teaching assistant, will conduct mentor sessions with each student. In addition to classes and mentor sessions, all faculty and program staff participate in the Summer Animation Residency Orientation (5/19) and hold weekly office hours. Faculty will evaluate student performance and submit grades for their portion of the program.

Instructor Duties
• Develop course outline in consultation with Extended Studies

• Prepare and deliver course materials and learning assessments on schedule
• Utilize the Canvas Learning Management System and Zoom as course delivery platforms
• Communicate teaching objectives and specific learning outcomes to students
• Evaluate student achievement of specific learning outcomes, and assign grades (HP, P, LP)
• Deliver final student grades to the Extended Studies staff by set deadlines
• Respond to student questions and learning needs in a timely manner
• Stay current regarding the professional body of knowledge in the field of practice
• Participate in required orientations and complete mandatory training programs
• Complete required administrative tasks in a timely manner
• Employ culturally competent and inclusive teaching methodologies in the classroom

• an advanced degree or comparable professional training in animation drawing and design

• an extensive background in and a professional practice in animation drawing and design

• experience with curriculum development & lesson planning

• excellent interpersonal and presentation, written, and communication skills

Please go to this link to apply: http://apply.interfolio.com/139713

Please provide a:

• Curriculum Vitae 

• Cover Letter

• Portfolio samples or link to website

• List of 3 references (contact information only)

Review of applications begins Feb 26 at 10:00am (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. 

Any candidate that is offered employment with CalArts must complete the Form I-9 in accordance with the law. On the form, an employee must attest to their employment authorization. The employee must also present their employer with acceptable documents as evidence of identity and employment authorization. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. 

California Institute of the Arts understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission. As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions. 

California Institute of the Arts shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

CalArts has a multidisciplinary approach to its studies of the arts through six schools: Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater. CalArts encourages students to explore and recognize the complexity of the many aspects of the arts. It is supported by a distinguished faculty of practicing artists and provides its Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts students with the hands-on training and exposure necessary for an artist's growth. CalArts was founded in 1961 and opened in 1969 as the first institution of higher learning in the United States specifically for students interested in the pursuit of degrees in all areas of visual and performing arts.