Continuing Education, Pre-College Illustration Instructor

CE Overview

RISD 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 Program Overview

RISD Pre-College is a 5-week summer immersive art and design program for rising high school juniors and seniors who are seeking a college-level experience. This residential, in-person program is an introduction to college life, providing the opportunity for prospective art school students to live and learn as RISD degree students do. Students follow a college-level curriculum with day-long studio classes four days a week and a once-a-week liberal arts course. Our students are diverse, coming from a wide range of geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds. 

RISD's Pre-College 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.  While Pre-College is not exclusively a portfolio development program, students leave with several artworks that they may include in their college applications. Pre-College 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 Description

RISD CE seeks an Illustration Major 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 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 focuses on making by hand and with few exceptions does not use computer programs or tablets for the completion of artwork. As our students come from a range of backgrounds with variance in prior art education, successful candidates will be able to be responsive to students with a range of existing skills. Successful candidates will have the ability to keep students engaged in 7-hour studio courses twice a week to elevate students' knowledge in Illustration. The successful candidate will guide students on how to create effective compositions while giving stories life with original characters and convincing scenes.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Bachelor's degree 

• Teaching experience in a collegiate and/or high school setting

• Ability to meet RISD's technology requirements

• Experience developing courses that challenge students creatively and intellectually while maintaining age-appropriate pedagogy

• Demonstrated ability to generate high caliber student work

• Ability to keep students engaged throughout full-day studio courses

• Experience leading classes and critiques that model constructive, inclusive discussions in an environment of diverse learners

• Ability to tailor instruction to meet the needs students with a wide range of pre-existing skills

• Demonstrated expertise in illustration

• Ongoing professional creative practice

• Proficiency with online collaborative tools such as Google Suite

Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Ability to contribute to RISD's strategic priorities of just societies, sustainability, and creating new knowledge

• Experience developing inclusive curriculum that centers artists of historically underrepresented backgrounds

• Interest in collaborative curriculum planning

• Master of Fine Arts or equivalent in established professional practice in area of study

• Proficiency with learning management systems such as Canvas

Union

No

Work Schedule:

Summer 2026 term dates: Monday June 29th - Friday July 31, 2026

Work Modality

In person on the RISD Campus in Providence, RI 

Documents Needed to Apply

• Resume 

• A portfolio of your studio work

• A 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 optional

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The 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.

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