What are the responsibilities and job description for the Full-time Faculty in Animation (Special Contract) position at Maryland Institute College of Art?
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Special Contract Faculty, AY 2026
Position: Full-Time Faculty in Animation (Special Contract Appointment/Sabbatical Replacement)
Reports to: Area Head for Animation/Chair of the Department of Animation and Media Arts
The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) invites applications for a special contract full-time faculty position in the Animation program within the Animation and Media Arts Department. MICA is a private art and design college nationally known for the high quality of its undergraduate programs, its dedication to student learning and teaching excellence, and its distinction in fine art and design at national and international levels. This is a faculty position with a one-year, non-renewable special contract. The preferred start date is August 2025.
Job Description: Full-time faculty teach 3 courses per semester, ranging from introductory First Year Experience to senior thesis level coursework. The ideal candidate will be an experienced animator and educator, working across both 2D and 3D animation. The candidate should be capable of teaching a range of students from intro level to thesis level, and address technique and process, theory and history, and professional practice and aesthetics. We expect that the candidate will be able to teach platforms including the Adobe Creative Suite (including After Effects, Premiere, Photoshop and Audition), Toon Boom Harmony, Blender and Maya, and help students understand how to develop workflows using these tools. The candidate will also be expected to teach a VFX course with the Film & Video program, and should be comfortable teaching that material to non-animation majors.
Responsibilities Include:
- Teaching six undergraduate studio classes per academic year, (3 Fall, 3 Spring).
- Participation in departmental and institutional service.
- Student advising.
Minimum Requirements:
- BFA or BA in Animation, Digital Media or a related field
- Teaching experience at the college level beyond graduate assistantships
- Demonstrated knowledge of animation practice, theory and history
- Demonstrated knowledge of the software and hardware toolset of contemporary animation.
- A record of professional accomplishment, as demonstrated by a record of professional activity in the field.
- Personal commitment to teaching on an undergraduate level using pedagogical approaches that are relevant and responsive to our student body
- Capable of teaching at all levels of undergraduate education including MICA’s First Year Experience
- Ability to work in a collaborative environment, participating in advising, institutional and departmental committee service, and scheduled departmental and student activities
Preferred Qualification:
- A Master of Fine Art (MFA) or Master of Arts (MA) in Animation, digital media or a related field
- Knowledgeable about contemporary practices, art and theory and their relationship to broader social, cultural, economic, scientific, and technological contexts
- Shows promise or proven ability to enrich the aims for the College
Additional Information:
This is a one-year full-time faculty appointment that may be renewed for up to three years. The faculty are represented by the SEIU Local 500.
Salary: Commensurate with experience and college policy ranging from $56,246 to 146,325. Excellent benefits package.
Conditions of Employment:
- Conditions: Satisfactory Background Check
Apply: The College will review applications as received. The position will remain open until filled. All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be held in the strictest confidence.
Application Instructions:
- Applications MUST be initiated via the MICA website. During your application on MICA’s website, you will be redirected to Slideroom to upload supporting materials as directed below. After you have uploaded your materials on Slideroom, please complete your application on MICA’s website.
Slideroom: You will be asked to login or create a login and submit one multi-page PDF document.
The multi-page PDF document should include:
- A letter of application
- Comprehensive CV
-
A portfolio consisting of:
- 10 professional work samples
- 10 student work samples
- Names and contact information including address, phone, and email for three references
- Please format the PDF document for screen resolution and viewing. No physical media are requested and sent materials will not be returned.
Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Physical Demands: While performing the duties of a job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to (amt) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. (may be adjusted depending on position)
- Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually (minimal, moderate, or high).
- Required training: Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment. (additional training may be added, SEE: EHS Manager training schedule)
Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.
Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.
MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.
