What are the responsibilities and job description for the Continuing Education Online Animation Instructor - Summer Teen Art Institute position at RISD - Rhode Island School of Design?
CE Overview
RISD Continuing Education functions within the larger context of RISD, an institution with an unparalleled reputation for producing highly-skilled, successful, and internationally renowned creative practitioners. With more than 100 years of expertise nurturing critical making, thinking, and innovation in art and design we facilitate personal and professional development by engaging students in sustained exploration and learning in the creative disciplines. With a commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities, 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 essential competencies of artists and designers.
Job Summary
What are we looking for?
RISD Continuing Education is seeking a practicing art and design educator to join its Summer Teen Art Institute (STAI) hosted in Shanghai, China, and support the growth of aspiring artists seeking a college-level learning experience. The ideal candidate has experience in art education and is prepared to guide students with empathy. Applicants should be ready to teach online while delivering a course to a diverse group of students with various abilities and experiences. We welcome candidates whose teaching experience addresses historically underrepresented communities.
Learn more about STAI by visiting our website.
How does this role impact our students?
As an Instructor, you will lead and support high school students as they engage in an immersive, project-based studio experience designed to challenge their ways of thinking and strengthen their personal visual expression. STAI emphasizes exploration and inquiry through demonstrations, assignments, research, and material investigations, and students will look to you for guidance as they navigate these processes. Through critiques, students will develop a visual language that reinforces, challenges and refines their ideas. Throughout the program, they will create a series of visual studies—investigations through sketching and prototyping—that will inform their portfolio development. With your support, students will gain valuable feedback, deepen their understanding of artistic practice, and expand their awareness of future educational and career opportunities.
What does this position offer you?
At RISD Continuing Education, we are motivated by advancements in education that allow us to reach broader audiences and connect with creatives from around the globe. We regularly maintain and improve our instructor support systems to ensure that you are prepared to intentionally build a course that you are excited to teach. When you work with us, you will receive personalized support from our program manager to enhance your teaching.
What are we teaching?
We are currently seeking an instructor who is available to teach Animation during the second summer session (see Course Schedule below). For more information about this course and the program, please
review the program brochure
.
Please indicate how your professional work experience relates to this course in your statement of interest.
Knowledge/Skills/Experience Required:
- Bachelor's degree
- Teaching experience in a collegiate and/or high school setting
- Demonstrated expertise in animation
- Proficiency in Adobe Animate
- Experience developing courses that challenge students creatively and intellectually while maintaining age-appropriate pedagogy
- Demonstrated ability to generate high-caliber student work
- Accept and act upon constructive feedback from course evaluations by students and staff
- Experience leading classes and critiques that model constructive, inclusive discussions in an environment of diverse learners
- Ability to tailor instruction to meet the needs of students with a wide range of pre-existing skills
Knowledge/Skills/Experience Preferred
- Master of Fine Arts or equivalent in established professional practice in area of study
- Teaching certification/certificate
- Ability to contribute to RISD’s strategic priorities of just societies, sustainability, and creating new knowledge
- Experience developing inclusive curriculum that centers artists of historically underrepresented backgrounds
- Interest in collaborative curriculum planning
- Proficiency with online collaborative tools such as Google Suite
- Proficiency with learning management systems such as Canvas
Union:
No
Course Schedule and Work Modality:
This position teaches online courses through Zoom and Canvas Learning Management System. Animation will meet via Zoom during the following schedule:
- July 27 to August 9, 2025, 7:30-10:30pm ET, Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays
The instructor is also required to virtually attend an end-of-program exhibition:
- Friday, August 8, 2025, evening, exact time TBD
Documents Needed to Apply:
- Resume
- Link to your professional portfolio and student work samples
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.
The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.
RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
For internal use only - Job Family:
CE Instructor
