Teaching Artist - Animation

Position Title: Teaching Artist, Animation

Department: School of Theatre, Film and Animation - Film and Animation Department

Position Start: Fall 2026

The Department of Film and Animation at Point Park University invites applications for a full-time, teaching artist to begin Fall 2026.

The successful applicant will have 6 plus years of industry experience in the field of animation. Applicant must have expert knowledge of Toon Boom Harmony Premium including animating, rigging, coloring, and camera tools. Ideal candidates will have experience/expertise with multiple software packages, including Adobe Creative Suites: After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator. Candidate will be teaching introductory, intermediate, and advanced level courses in Classical Animation, 2D Animation, Storyboarding, and Concept Art. Additionally, preference will be shown to those candidates who have demonstrated a history of successful teaching at the university level for a minimum of three years.

Housed in the growing Film and Animation Department, the Animation program offers a rigorous BFA in Animation and supports the departmental BA in Cinema Arts. The department also offers degrees in Cinema Production and Screenwriting. As part of Point Park's prestigious Conservatory of Performing Arts, the department mission focuses on fostering a highly collaborative artistic environment.

Candidates should expect to work closely with undergraduate students and be able to communicate effectively with a diverse group, both orally and in writing. Principal responsibilities include teaching, supporting student projects, and participating in service to departmental or university-wide committees or service to the community. The successful candidate will be committed to teaching within a vibrant/demanding conservatory environment and demonstrate the potential for excellence in teaching, mentoring and creative activity with undergraduates. All faculty in the Conservatory share in significant advising and mentoring of students on both academic and career goals.

About the University: Located in the heart of one of the most livable cities in the US, Point Park University, was recently listed as a 2018-2019 college of distinction. It is a vibrant, urban campus located at the periphery of historic Market Square in downtown Pittsburgh, with an enrollment of approximately 4000 full and part-time students in more than 50 areas of academic study. With over 300 full-time undergraduate students, the Cinema Department is one of three departments in the University's nationally recognized Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA).

The Point Park University Animation Program is in its 10th year. In 2019 the program was ranked in the top 50 animation schools in the country for those offering BFAs and in the top 20 of animation schools on the east coast. The program boasts two state of the art animation labs with 20 computers in each. Additionally, there are three animation suites where students can work individually. Students intern at various motion graphics and visual effects studios in Pittsburgh and also for local sports teams. Recent graduates have had their senior thesis films accepted and screened at several international animation festivals and have found work throughout the country in the animation industry.

Admission to COPA is competitive with students matriculating from 47 states and around the world. The departmental programs provide strong academic curricula with rigorous training that provides the skills needed for success in today's creative economy.

Application Procedure:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter addressing how they are a fit for the role and program, CV, teaching philosophy statement, list of references, and any relevant links to professional work (e.g., performance clips, coaching examples). Applications can be submitted through the Point Park University employment portal (Isolved). Applicants must have authorization to work in the United States and not require employer sponsorship.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Salary is commensurate with credentials and experience and based on the minimums set by the University's collective bargaining agreement.

Point Park University is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in its faculty and student body. The successful candidate will bring a generous, student-centered approach to teaching; a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility practices and a willingness to collaborate with faculty, students and administration.