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 11, 2027. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; those received before January 19, 2027, will receive full consideration. 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

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/about-ku/administrative-offices/social-equity.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.

To be eligible for coverage under the State System health plan, you must be a permanent, full-time employee (including temporary, full-time faculty with at least an academic year contract) or a permanent, part-time employee (including temporary, part-time faculty with at least an academic year contract) who is scheduled to work every pay period for at least 50% of full-time.

The link for the benefits for this group is: https://passhe.edu/hr/benefits/documents/benefit-summaries/sshe-summary.pdf (Download PDF reader)

• Medical/Prescription Drug PPO health plan offered to employees, which includes prescription drug and hearing coverage.
• Healthy U Wellness Program Voluntary program designed to provide employees with tools and resources to assist in improving and maintaining good health. Participants are rewarded with reduced health care premiums.
• Dental and Vision Coverage Offered at no additional cost to employees.
• State Employee Assistance Program (SEAP) A confidential program which provides a wide range of no-cost services to address a broad range of problems, including counseling, legal, and financial services.
• Group Life Insurance Employer paid term life provided for permanent employees based on onetime salary up to a maximum of $50,000.
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD) Income protection equal to 60% of gross annual base salary to a maximum of $5,000 monthly benefit with an option for a 90-day or 180-day benefit elimination period.
• Voluntary Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance (VGLIP/AD&D) Additional life insurance coverage and personal accident insurance to help protect against losses due to accidents or death. Maximum employee coverage is five times the annual salary up to $500,000.
• Group Retirement Plans Employees can choose one of the mandatory retirement plan options - a 401(a), with a 5% employee contribution and a 9.29% employer contribution or the State Employees’ Retirement Plan (SERS) pension/investment plan with various enrollment options.
• Voluntary Retirement Plans All employees are eligible to participate in our 403(b) Tax Sheltered Annuity and/ or 457 Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts Income withheld before taxes for eventual reimbursement of certain medical and dependent care expenses.
• Tuition Waiver benefits vary by employee group.

Required Questions

1. Are you a current employee of Kutztown University?
   • Yes
   • No
2. Did you submit a professional portfolio (under “Other” attachments) and a second student artwork portfolio (under “+ Add Supplemental Attachments” and in the “Other” dropdown category)?
   • Yes
   • No

Successful interviews, reference checks, background clearances (PA Criminal, Child Abuse Clearance & FBI Clearance), and demonstration of ability are requisite qualifications for all positions.

Successful interviews, reference checks, background clearances (PA Criminal, Child Abuse Clearance & FBI Clearance), and demonstration of ability are requisite qualifications for all positions.