Description
POSITION TITLE: Assistant/Associate Professor - Animation - Tenure Track
DIVISION: Academic Affairs DEPARTMENT: Animation
REPORTS TO: Chair of Animation
PAY TYPE: Exempt WORKER TYPE: Full-Time
UPDATED: January 2025
PAY: Assistant Professor - Tenure Track: $60,858.48 - $64,592.97
Associate Professor - Tenure Track: $71,499.60 - $72,572.09
The Kansas City Art Institute seeks nominations and applications for a full-time Assistant or Associate Professor tenure-track position in Animation to begin August of 2025.
KCAI’s animation department provides students with a singularly unique education in the history and application of the medium. Our curriculum is organized into a suite of courses designed to progressively develop essential ideas, skills, and competencies over three years. All animation majors receive immersive instruction in classical, experimental, and digital animation techniques and technologies, as well as animation history, professional practice, and interaction with renowned visiting artists. Our students graduate with the momentum to continue producing and the know-how to begin building sustainable creative careers across a broad spectrum of roles. With a commitment to shared governance and academic freedom, KCAI strives to be an excellent place for faculty to develop and explore new curricular directions, connect with the next generation of visual artists, and engage with fresh new ideas and processes in the animation medium.
Essential Functional Responsibilities:
The position requires the capacity to collaborate and support faculty colleagues, develop curriculum, and help expand our sophomore principles of animation studio offerings.
Candidates must possess the ability to instruct and advise students in developing an informed professional practice and robust portfolio in the field of animation.
Excellent written and oral communication skills and a strong collaborative spirit for teamwork and service to the department, our students, our institution, and the field are imperative.
Candidates must possess a commitment to collaborative engagement with school and campus colleagues to support an inclusive, diverse, and multicultural student population.
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications:
Primary focus on 2D methodologies and associated production skills. However, candidates with commensurate skill sets in 3D are also encouraged to apply.
Required Experience/Education:
Experience in two or more of the following:
2D traditional animation and storyboarding
2D digital animation and associated methodologies
Digital media production
Character design
Narrative and/or performance for animation.
An MFA and demonstrated professional achievement in the field of animation.
The successful candidate’s qualifications, portfolio, and professional experience should demonstrate a dedicated and active body of work in animation.
Applicants should be conversant with current professional practice in the field of animation. Additionally, the candidate should be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the animation field.
Applicant materials should demonstrate proficiency and ability to instruct the following software: Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Creative Suite (Animate, Illustrator, Photoshop & After Effects.)
Experience teaching or mentoring students of diverse backgrounds.
Required for the rank of Associate Professor-Tenure Track:
A minimum of 7 years teaching at the undergraduate level and 3-5 years professional experience within the field (industry experience a plus).
Preferred Experience for the rank of Assistant Professor-Tenure Track
A minimum of two years teaching at the undergraduate level and engaging professionally with the field (industry experience a plus)
Performance for animation and life drawing experience.
Preferred Experience for the rank of Associate Professor-Tenure Track
5+ years professional experience within the field.
Performance for animation and life drawing experience.
