"Animation Instructor: SMFA Studio Art, Tufts Pre-College Programs"

About the Program:

In partnership with Tufts Pre-College Programs, the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University (SMFA at Tufts) offers high school students entering grades 10–12 the opportunity to take art school for a test drive! SMFA Studio Art is a three-week, on campus intensive designed to introduce students to interdisciplinary art while helping them develop their work, advance their techniques, and grow their art portfolio. Over the course of the program, students will work in three studios, Drawing and Painting, Sculpture, and Animation. Students are encouraged to connect their projects across mediums, creating a cohesive body of work. The program culminates with an open studio exhibition of the students’ work.

Job Description:

SMFA at Tufts is seeking an Animation Instructor for the summer of 2026. Pre-College instructors are passionate about working with high school students and should be able to lead in-class demonstrations and critiques, engage with diverse groups of students, and create an inclusive class environment. Successful candidates will have the ability to work in an inter-media arts program, while expanding the focus on animation and helping students develop college application-ready portfolio pieces.

Job Responsibilities Include:

• Develop and refine the Animation studio syllabus and classroom materials list based on the set structure of the program.
• Attend collaborative planning meetings in the spring of 2026
• Communicate expectations for classroom support to assigned Course Assistant
• Teach three cohorts of students, in an in-person instructional setting, on a rotating basis across three weeks (July 6–24, 2026), maintaining high standards for behavior and safety
• Serve as chaperones on field trips as needed
• Be available to meet and work with students during open studio time
• Proactively support and advise students in developing their own voice and a body of work
• Foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all students feel valued and respected

Time Commitment:

SMFA Studio Art will take place for 3 weeks during the summer from July 6–24, 2026. The Animation Instructor can expect to attend 3–4 planning meetings (virtual) during the spring for pre-program planning, with full time hours (on-site) during the 3-week summer program.

• Program Dates: July 6–24, 2026 (3 weeks)
• Program Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm (with a one-hour lunch break)

Compensation:

The total compensation for the SMFA Studio Art Animation Instructor position, inclusive of all planning and program time, is $6,700.00.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Fine Arts degree plus at least three years of teaching experience in a collegiate and/or high school setting and/or Master of Fine Arts degree plus at least one year of teaching experience in a collegiate and/or high school setting
• Fluency in various techniques and approaches to analog and digital animation
• Ability to work in an inter-media arts environment
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Fine Arts degree
• Experience working with high school students
• Interest in collaborative curriculum planning
• Familiarity with SMFA and Tufts University

Please submit a cover letter, a teaching resume, a portfolio of 10–20 images of artwork and/or online clips of time-based work (please limit all clips to a total of 3 minutes), and a link to your website. Also include the names and email addresses of two references who may be contacted at a future date.

Review of applications will begin the first week of January and continue until the position is filled.