Continuing Education, Pre-College Online Animation Instructor

CE OverviewRISD Continuing Education functions within the larger context of RISD, an institution with an unparalleled reputation for producing highly-skilled, successful, and internationally renowned creative practitioners. With more than 100 years of expertise nurturing critical making, thinking, and innovation in art and design we facilitate personal and professional development by engaging students in sustained exploration and learning in the creative disciplines. With a commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities, RISD Continuing Education instructors plan, organize, teach, and provide feedback to promote and direct student learning in keeping with the institutional learning-centered values and in a manner that meets essential competencies of artists and designers.Pre-College Online Program OverviewRISD Pre-College Online is a summer art and design intensive which offers collegiate-level courses for students in grades 10–12 (or the equivalent). Students from around the world join online studio classes led by accomplished professional artists. With a commitment of two days of classes each week and flexibility to complete their assignments, students can have time to work or pursue other interests while developing skills, building a portfolio, and preparing to study art or design in college.RISD's Pre-College Online curriculum places a strong emphasis on foundation work that builds critical thinking and making skills. We accept students regardless of their previous training, and as a result each class has students with a range of abilities. Pre-College Online students receive support with their college plans by consulting with their instructors and teaching assistants on college and career options, and they are able to attend portfolio reviews hosted by RISD Admissions. Job DescriptionRISD CE seeks an Animation instructor for summer of 2026. We welcome teaching artists of all backgrounds with ongoing studio practices and demonstrated achievements of high caliber results in their students’ work. Pre-College Online instructors are passionate about art and design and can nurture the interest of their students. They are approachable but maintain high expectations and are invested in their students’ success. They vary their approach using lectures, demonstrations, and more. Our instructors are plugged into the needs and interests of today’s youth, and connect the course content to the students’ lived experience and current events. They are culturally responsive and lead an inclusive learning environment. We are particularly interested in candidates whose pedagogical approach and personal studio practice can resonate with our diverse student body.RISD Pre-College Online courses meet once per week for three-hour live sessions over five weeks. Students also have online access to their course during orientation week, for a total program duration of six weeks. Online sessions will include demonstrations, presentations, and group discussions. Instructors will prepare their courses in time for orientation week, and will facilitate the five-week course live and asynchronously.The successful candidate should be prepared to teach online to a diverse group of students from a range of disciplines, through online content development, including recorded video demonstrations and/or lectures. For this position, we seek a candidate that can instruct the principles of animation, hand-drawn and papercut approaches, and incorporating sound. (Some software will be used to compile and edit animations, but this is not a digital animation course.) Our ideal candidate will be able to inspire student’s conceptual development and individual voice in addition to teaching technical skills. Required Knowledge/Skills/ExperienceBachelor's degree Teaching experience in a collegiate and/or high school settingAbility to meet RISD’s Experience developing courses that challenge students creatively and intellectually while maintaining age-appropriate pedagogyDemonstrated ability to generate high caliber student workExperience leading classes and critiques that model constructive, inclusive discussions in an environment of diverse learnersDemonstrated expertise in AnimationOngoing professional creative practiceProficiency with online collaborative tools such as Google SuiteProficiency with learning management systems such as CanvasPreferred Knowledge/Skills/ExperienceAbility to contribute to RISD’s strategic priorities of just societies, sustainability, and creating new knowledgeAbility to tailor instruction to meet the needs students with a wide range of pre-existing skillsExperience developing inclusive curriculum that centers artists of historically underrepresented backgroundsInterest in collaborative curriculum planningAbility to keep students engaged in 3-hour online class meetings and online learning portalMaster of Fine Arts or equivalent in established professional practice in area of studyUnionNoWork Schedule:Summer 2026 term dates: June 22 - July 30, 2026 (live sessions June 29 - July 30)Work ModalityRemote, AsynchronousDocuments Needed to ApplyResume A portfolio of your studio workA teaching portfolio, preferably relating to this medium and age group. If sharing a link, provide a password if one is needed A cover letter or statement of interest is optionalThe successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.