Continuing Education Instructor, The Artful Insect: Entomological Illustration

About the Role

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 the essential competencies of an artist and designer. Instructors respond to students in a timely manner and communicate with the discipline and division via college-provided tools and resources.

We welcome instructors whose teaching experience addresses historically underrepresented communities. The successful candidate will teach asynchronous online courses to a diverse group of adult learners, developing culturally diverse syllabi for studio and seminar courses, and providing weekly feedback to student work that models constructive criticism.

This position focuses on Entomological Illustration, a required course in the Natural Science Illustration Certificate program. The instructor will teach students how to illustrate insects, covering accurate drawing methods, handling specimens, and fundamentals of insect anatomy. Demonstrations will include generating symmetrical images and "repairing" damaged specimens through illustration. Preliminary drawings are done in pencil, with final color renderings in a medium of the student’s choice (colored pencil, watercolor, gouache, pen and ink, acrylic, or a combination).

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and teach asynchronous online courses in Entomological Illustration.
• Develop culturally diverse syllabi and lesson plans tied to learning outcomes.
• Provide weekly feedback to student work, modeling constructive criticism.
• Create online content, including recorded video demonstrations and lectures.
• Teach adult learners to illustrate insects accurately, using specimens and covering insect anatomy fundamentals.
• Demonstrate techniques for generating symmetrical images and "repairing" damaged specimens through illustration.
• Lead classes and critiques that foster inclusivity in a diverse learning environment.
• Tailor instruction to meet the needs of students with varying skill levels.
• Communicate promptly with students and staff using college-provided tools.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Professional experience in Entomological Illustration or a related field, evidenced by recognition in publications, commissions, exhibitions, awards, or collaborative projects.
• Teaching experience, including syllabus and lesson plan development tied to learning outcomes.
• Ability to accept and act on constructive feedback from course evaluations.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to meet RISD’s technology requirements for online instruction.
• Experience leading inclusive classes and critiques for diverse learners.
• In-depth knowledge of Entomological Illustration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Teaching experience in a collegiate or adult education setting, particularly with underrepresented communities.
• Online teaching experience or familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS).
• MFA or equivalent professional practice in the area of study.
• Lifelong learning orientation with demonstrated interest in new developments in the field.
• Experience in course content development, including video creation for demonstrations and lectures.
• Ability to empathically relate to diverse student perspectives and handle interpersonal issues maturely.

Schedule

Winter 2027 semester: January 11, 2027 – February 21, 2027.

Work modality: Remote, asynchronous.