SMFA Studio Art - Animation Instructor

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University (SMFA at Tufts) is seeking an Animation Program Instructor for our three-week SMFA Studio Art Intensive summer program for high schoolers. This on-campus program will invite top tier art students entering grades 10-12 or class of 2025 high school graduates to give art school a test drive by introducing them to SMFA at Tufts' interdisciplinary approach to art-making.

Over the course of the program, students will participate in foundation classes that will blur the lines between disciplines. Students will get instruction on advancing technical skills such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and animation; allowing them to build a portfolio of materially complex, conceptually rich, intentional works of art. Group critiques led by instructors, field trips to local museums, and a critical studies class will facilitate analysis and contextualization of art within the real world, encouraging students to think deeply about what it means to make art. The program culminates with an open studio exhibition of the students' work.

The program will take place 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday, July 7-25, 2025.

Compensation:
The total compensation for the SMFA Studio Art Intensive Program Animation Instructor position, inclusive of all planning and program time, is $6,200.00.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Planning:

• Develop and refine Animation curriculum and syllabus
• Attend a collaborative planning meeting in the spring of 2025
• Assist in planning an orientation day activity/project for program participants in coalition with the Program Lead and two other Program Instructors
• Provide a syllabus to the Program Lead by May 1, 2025
• Communicate expectations for classroom support to assigned Course Assistant(s)

Program Instruction/Implementation:

• Lead and instruct a group of students in an in-person instructional setting, maintaining high standards for behavior and safety
• Teach three sections of your course, each section meets two times per week for three hours each session (a total of six 3-hour course meetings per week)
• Assist in leading an orientation day activity/project for program participants in coalition with the Program Lead and two other Program Instructors
• Serve as chaperones on field trips as needed
• Be present during lunch and open studio time to meet with students and help CA's monitor the students/studios
• Prepare and deliver a brief artist talk during the orientation session
• Assist students who are struggling with course content and proactively support them as needed
• Communicate needed materials to the Program Lead by May 1, 2025, make materials available in the classroom for student use

Program Operations:

• Attend all program events from July 7-25, 2025
• Demonstrate reliability and punctuality by arriving on-time for all scheduled activities
• Arrive in time to allow for set-up each day
• Oversee clean-up in instructional space throughout the program and at the program's close
• Serve as a positive adult role model for members in the program through appropriate dress, speech, attitude, and courtesy
• Evaluate program daily and suggest improvements, needs, hazards and recurring trends to Program Lead for further evaluation
• Ensure student attendance is monitored during programming
• Other duties as needed

Required Qualifications

• Master of Fine Arts degree plus at least one year of teaching experience in a collegiate and/or high school setting or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree plus at least three years of teaching experience in a collegiate and/or high school setting
• Experience creating and teaching subjects in animation
• Ability to work in a cross-disciplinary arts environment
• Ability to work with students of diverse ethnic backgrounds, academic profiles, and skill levels
• Ability to tailor instruction to engage students of varying skill and experience levels
• Ability to attend two planning meetings in spring 2025
• Must demonstrate responsibility, a desire to help others, discretion, and flexibility
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications