Tenure Track Faculty Position in Animated Arts

Job Summary

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania enrolls approximately 8,000
students in graduate and undergraduate programs. The university
is located in the borough of Kutztown in a charming rural setting
and is within 20 minutes driving time of the diverse metropolitan
areas of Allentown/Bethlehem and Reading, and within 60 minutes of
the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The university is very
interested in hiring employees who have had extensive experience
with diverse populations.

The Department of Art and Design at Kutztown University invites
applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position within
our Animated Arts Program (BFA) with an emphasis in Animation
beginning Fall 2027. We welcome candidates with expertise in 3D
animation, 2D animation, or both, and seek creative, technically
skilled artist/practitioners who can bring professional-level
experience in their area(s) of specialization. Applicants should
demonstrate mastery in their chosen animation discipline, be
prepared to integrate industry-standard workflows into their
teaching, and demonstrate the ability to engage in teaching that is
supportive of our diverse student body.

Applicants should have a strong skillset in animation and working
knowledge of pre-production techniques (visual development) for
animation, film, and/or game development in their student and
professional work. Examples of experience with 2D and/or 3D
software (including Toon Boom Harmony, Blender and Maya, Storyboard
Pro, and Adobe CC) are strongly encouraged in their professional
and/or student portfolios.

The Animated Arts Program has three specializations: Visual
Storytelling (Visual Development), 2D Animation, and 3D Animation.
Our courses prepare students to be professional and independent
artists by covering the principles of animation, emphasizing strong
storytelling, dynamic movement, and the creative application of
both traditional and digital techniques.

The artist/practitioner will teach a variety of undergraduate
courses from the introductory to the advanced levels, with a focus
on coursework in 2D and/or 3D animation. Potential classes include:
Intro to 3D Modeling and Rendering, Intro to 3D Animation, Intro to
2D Animation, 3D Animation Studio, 2D Animation Studio, Intro to
Visual Storytelling, and/or Visual Storytelling Studio. This
position may also include teaching opportunities in Drawing, Figure
Drawing, Time-Based Media (Video Art), Senior Seminar, 3D
Prototyping, and Digital Illustration, depending on interest and
skillset.

In accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, performance
review and evaluation of faculty is based on effective teaching and
fulfillment of professional responsibilities; continuing scholarly
growth; and service.

Minimum Qualifications

Master of Fine Arts degree in animation/video/digital art or a
related arts area, strong professional portfolio of personal and
student artwork, evidence of successful teaching experience
appropriate to the responsibilities of the position, two years of
professional experience in the industry, and proficiency in related
digital software (such as, but not limited to Toon Boom Harmony,
Blender, Autodesk Maya, Storyboard Pro, Adobe CC, etc).

Supplemental Information

Applicants should submit the following materials through NeoEd: (a)
letter of interest addressing position requirements and teaching
philosophy (including brief statement of how your teaching,
scholarship, or creative activity, and/or service demonstrate a
commitment to diversity and inclusion); (b) curriculum vita; (c)
contact information for at least three (3) references for
e-reference requests; (d) ten samples of personal artwork; (e) ten
samples of student artwork; and (f) unofficial transcripts.

Please upload your professional portfolio to the “Other” attachment
box. Professional portfolios should contain 10 examples of your
professional work submitted as images and/or links to videos within
a single PDF. For videos, insert them in the PDF from Vimeo or
YouTube. Images and links should be captioned with relevant
information. (date, title, media, and description)

To add your portfolio of student work, scroll to the bottom of the
attachment list, click “+ Add Supplemental Attachments,” select the
“Other” dropdown category, and upload your additional portfolio.
Student portfolios should contain 10 examples of your student work
submitted as images and/or links to videos within a single PDF. For
videos, insert them in the PDF from Vimeo or YouTube. Images and
links should be captioned with relevant information. (date, title,
media, description, and course where work was completed)

Portfolios cannot exceed 10MB; please compress your documents if
they exceed 10MB.

Official transcripts are required at the time of interview. Review
of applicants will begin on January 19, 2027, but applications will
be accepted until the position is filled. Official transcripts and
questions may be addressed to Prof. Jacob Rivkin, Search Chair,
Department of Art and Design, Kutztown University, 15200 Kutztown
Road, Kutztown, PA 19530. Rivkin@kutztown.edu

Successful interviews, reference checks, background clearances (PA
Criminal, Child Abuse Clearance & FBI Clearance), and
demonstration of ability are requisite qualifications for all
positions. The University is very interested in hiring employees
who have had extensive experience with diverse populations.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Kutztown University does not discriminate in employment or
educational opportunities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity,
national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation,
gender identity, or veteran status. To discuss a complaint of
discrimination, please contact the Office of Social Equity, Old
Main A-Wing, Room 02, by phone at 610 683-4700 or by email at
socialequity@kutztown.edu . Pursuant to Title IX
of the Education Amendments of 1972, Kutztown University does not
discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination
in any education program or activity that it operates, including
admissions and employment. Any inquiries regarding the application
of Title IX at Kutztown University may be made to Bradley Davis,
the university’s Title IX coordinator, located in Old Main A-Wing,
Room 01, by phone at 610-683-4782 or by email at titleix@kutztown.edu . You may also contact the Office for
Civil Rights located in the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of
Education Bldg., 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
20202-1100, by phone at 800-421-3481 (TDD: 800-877-8339), by fax at
202-453-6012, or by email at OCR@ed.gov . Kutztown
University’s Sexual Misconduct, Anti-Discrimination, and
Anti-Harassment policies can be found in The Key student handbook
or online at https://www.kutztown.edu/aboutku/administrativeoffices/socialequity.html
.

Notice of availability of the Annual Security Report and Annual
Fire Safety Report

The Annual Security Report and the Annual Fire Safety Report, which
contain policy statements and crime and fire statistics for
Kutztown University, are available online . You may also request a physical
copy by emailing the KU Clery Compliance Coordinator at clery@kutztown.edu .