Assistant Professor in Residence - Illustration

Job Summary

The Department of Art and Art History in the School of Fine Arts at the University of Connecticut invites applications for Assistant Professor-in-Residence, a renewable full-time, 9-month, non-tenure track position in Illustration/Animation at the rank of Assistant Professor. The anticipated start date is August 23, 2026. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Teach six three-credit undergraduate courses per academic year with a 3/3 teaching load, which will include all levels of undergraduate courses in Illustration/Animation, and may include a drawing course in the Painting/Drawing program, Independent Studies and/or supervised internships.
• Contribute to the larger curriculum of the department through reevaluation of the current curriculum and developing new courses, which may be interdisciplinary within and outside of the department.
• Advising undergraduate students;
• Maintaining department studios and facilities;
• Contributing to the department’s recruitment and outreach activities, events, and visiting artist programs;
• Attending faculty meetings and serving on committees to participate in school and faculty governance;
• Contributing service at the department, school, and university levels.
• Ongoing participation in the professional field, with a goal of informing the teaching practice of new developments.

Minimum Qualifications

• MFA degree in Illustration, Animation, Visual Narrative, or closely related field of study.
• Expertise in illustration/animation as defined broadly to include applied and conceptual issues and practices, with experience in both traditional and digital media.
• Teaching experience beyond Teaching Assistantship at the college level.
• Fluency with traditional media (graphite, charcoal, pen and ink, etc.).
• Proficiency in digital tools (Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, InDesign, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Two+ years of teaching experience beyond Teaching Assistantship at the college level.
• Three years of professional experience in illustration/animation either as a freelance practitioner or in a publishing house or animation studio.
• Knowledge of contemporary and historical issues and theory in illustration and animation.
• Stop-motion animation experience a plus, as well as proficiency in DragonFrame.
• Evidence of exceptional creative work and student work in submitted portfolios.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to interdisciplinary initiatives and capacity to work across disciplines within an Art Department.
• Experience working within a strong art department situated within an equally strong liberal arts institution, and a reflection of this in teaching pedagogies.
• Experience with student advising, departmental service, and a record of effective teaching.