Assistant Professor in Entertainment Art/Animation

Assistant Professor in Entertainment Art/Animation
Department of Visual Arts
College of Arts
Assistant Professor
Fall 2023

The Department of Visual Arts at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure‐track Assistant Professor position in Entertainment Art/Animation with appointment to begin Fall 2023.

California State University, Fullerton is a minority-serving institution, and an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum, and to fostering an inclusive environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. Individuals advancing the University's strategic diversity goals and those from groups whose underrepresentation in the American professoriate has been severe and longstanding are particularly encouraged to apply.

Position
The BFA in Entertainment Art/Animation develops students' individual voice and practical expertise through a progression of courses centered on animation pre-production and production using both traditional animation and digital toolsets. The program's course of study focuses on skill building in animation and storytelling through the language of film, while encouraging students to explore unique and personal expressions in a diverse and collaborative setting. Our program offers an intensive hands-on art-making experience combined with a broad exposure to fine arts that prepares students for a lifetime of creative work, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

The position possesses a strong commitment to teaching animation courses offered within our core curriculum including: The Principles of Animation, Intermediate Character Animation, Animation Pre-Production, Animation Production, Special Studies Storyboarding for Animation, Special Studies Character Design for Animation, and Special Studies in Entertainment Art/Animation. In this position, the successful candidate will produce and maintain a contemporary creative practice in a broad range of media within the expansive field of animation to achieve tenure. The successful candidate will contribute to and participate in the life and development of the department, recruitment, and outreach efforts. They will advise students and participate in committees at the department, college, and university levels.

Required Qualifications

• MFA or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution in animation or a related discipline.
  
• College-level teaching experience in courses specifically relevant to the position.
  
• A sustained record of creative and scholarly practice in the expanded field of animation.
  
• Proven track record of working collaboratively in culturally diverse settings, fostering an understanding of and respect for unique experiences and cultural practices.
  
• Evidence of expertise in Entertainment Art/Animation and a deep understanding of the cinematic language.
  
• Demonstrated proficiency of the knowledge and skills of sequential and animated narratives.
  
• Exhibit knowledge of the history and critical theory of animation, as well as current practices of animation within the broader context of media arts and narrative filmmaking.
  
• Demonstrated commitment to and excellence in undergraduate teaching of a highly diverse student population, including varied socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity, etc.
  
  Preferred Qualifications:
  
• Demonstrated proficiency in storyboarding for animation, visual storytelling, and/or visual development
  
• Expertise in Entertainment Art/Animation practices using current industry standard tools such as Maya, Harmony, Storyboard Pro, and/or Clip Studio Paint EX
  
• Demonstrated animation industry experience with evidence in the production of character-based animation (e.g. layout, acting, timing, character design, sound design)
  
• Knowledge/experience in experimental and/or stop motion animation production
  
• Demonstrated proficiency in life-drawing, wildlife/animal drawing, and/or perspective drawing
  
• Evidence of leadership, communication, organizational, and management skills, which may include successful recruitment and outreach efforts
  
  Application Procedure
  A complete online application must be received by electronic submission in order to receive consideration. To apply, please visit https://hr.fullerton.edu/careers/faculty.php, choose full-time faculty, search for position 519641, and provide the following required materials:
  
• Letter of application responding to your experience related to the required and preferred qualifications within the Entertainment Art/Animation discipline
  
• A teaching philosophy describing your pedagogical practices
  
• Curriculum Vitae in an academic format
  
• Candidate Statement on Commitment to Inclusive Excellence:
• Diversity, Inclusion and Equity are fundamental to the mission of CSUF. Diversity, as reflected in our student body, refers to the variety of personal experiences, values, and viewpoints that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. Such differences include race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, religion, language, differing abilities, socioeconomic status, geographic region, and more. Please discuss how you would include anti-racist and inclusive policies in your teaching and pedagogy, to create a just and equitable classroom. Explain how your experiences and/or qualifications enhance your ability to contribute to the students, faculty, and staff who are members of our diverse CSUF community.
  
  
• Portfolio of the candidate's expertise related to the position (requirements below)
• The Portfolio can be a combination of independent and professional work in the expanded field of animation.
  
• The Portfolio must feature current work and include 12-15 examples. In addition, animated reels are strongly encouraged (the first three minutes will be reviewed by the Committee).
  
• Please upload a PDF with a link to reels (if included).
  
• Reels must include a shot breakdown clearly specifying what you were responsible for in the material presented.
  
  Semifinalists
  
• Semifinalists will be invited to a Zoom interview.
  
  Finalists:
  
• Over a one-day period, finalists will be invited to participate in a series of interviews, a teaching demonstration, and an artist talk on campus.
  
• Additional material such as current course outlines, course assignments, and rubrics may also be requested.
  
• Finalists will be required to have three letters of recommendation submitted. Please have these ready for the referents to submit. On the References page of the online application, enter information and email addresses for three referents who will provide a confidential letter of reference for your application. At the appropriate time in the search process, they will receive a request via email along with instructions for uploading the letter. You will be able to verify that each letter has been received by CSUF by logging back into your applicant portal.
  
  Please do not send additional materials until requested to do so. The finalists for the position will be contacted when to submit and are required to submit all materials for full consideration.
  
  Please direct all questions about the position to: Arnold Holland, Dean, College of the Arts at aholland@fullerton.edu with “Entertainment/Art Animation” in the subject line or call 657-278-3256.
  
  Application Deadline
  Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2023 and will continue until the position has been filled. The anticipated appointment date is August, 2023.
  
  The Department of Visual Arts
  The Department of Visual Arts serves approximately 1,800 undergraduate art majors and 60 graduate students, with 36 full-time and 80+ lecturer faculty. The department offers both a BA in Art and BFA in Art with 13 areas of concentration, in addition to an MA and MFA in Art with 9 areas of concentration. CSUF is located about 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles in metropolitan Orange County and presents a full range of fine arts and professional programs including a nationally recognized art gallery located in the Visual Arts complex and the Grand Central Art Center, a 45,000 sq. ft. graduate studio/residence/exhibition facility located 15 minutes from campus. The Department of Visual Arts at California State University, Fullerton, is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. For more information about the Department of Visual Arts and the College of the Arts, please refer to the website https://www.fullerton.edu/arts/art/
  
  Additional Information
  
  Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.
  
  The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is $5,405 to $11,994 per month (12 monthly payments per academic year). Anticipated hiring range is $6,588 to $6,688 per month. Faculty salaries are subject to budgetary authorization and any California State University System faculty contract increases. Summer research grants, moving expenses, start‐up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available. An excellent comprehensive benefits package is available that includes: health/vision/dental plans; spouse, domestic partner and dependent fee‐waiver; access to campus child‐care; and a defined‐benefit retirement through the state system along with optional tax sheltering opportunities. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit https://hr.fullerton.edu/total-wellness/.
  
  The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements outlined in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.
  
  A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be formally offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
  
  Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self‐disclose.
  
  Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator (http://www.fullerton.edu/titleix/about/notice.php)
  
  CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so. Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to hr@campus.edu.
  
  In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and requires hiring employees to perform CSU-related work within the State of California.
  
  To apply, visit https://careers.pageuppeople.com/873/fl/en-us/job/519641/assistant-professor-in-entertainment-artanimation jeid-d42ec2994f8b714d9947ae2cebf4f2e1