"Continuing Education Character Design Instructor - Youth In-Person"

CE Overview

RISD Continuing Education functions within the larger context of RISD, an institution with an unparalleled reputation for producing highly-skilled, successful, and internationally renowned creative practitioners. With more than 100 years of expertise nurturing critical making, thinking, and innovation in art and design we facilitate personal and professional development by engaging students in sustained exploration and learning in the creative disciplines. With a commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities, RISD Continuing Education instructors plan, organize, teach, and provide feedback to promote and direct student learning in keeping with the institutional learning-centered values and in a manner that meets essential competencies of artists and designers.

Job Summary

RISD Continuing Education is in search of an inspired art educator who is interested in supporting the growth of teens as part of our in-person youth program. The ideal candidate has experience in art education and is prepared to guide students with empathy. Applicants should be prepared to teach in person while delivering courses to a diverse group of students from a range of abilities and experiences. We welcome candidates whose teaching experience addresses historically underrepresented communities.

RISD Continuing Education is seeking a practicing art and design educator interested in supporting the growth of aspiring teen artists interested in exploring future career opportunities. The ideal candidate has art education experience, a history of successful freelance art/design work, and extensive knowledge of potential career paths in art. Applicants should be ready to teach online while delivering a course to a diverse group of students with various abilities and experiences. We welcome candidates whose teaching experience addresses historically underrepresented communities.

As a youth programs instructor, you will lead teens toward aspiring career paths while problem-solving through art and design. Our program emphasizes design thinking, communicating, and creating, and students will look to you for guidance while navigating daily prompts and assignments. Each class will serve as an opportunity for your students to develop socially and intellectually; by the end of the course, they will have identified new (or hone in on existing) academic and career goals with your help.

We are currently seeking an instructor who is available to teach Character Design, in person on the RISD campus in Providence, RI. The successful candidate will have a strong background in deliverables listed in the course description. The current course description is as follows:

Character design is an essential component of telling a convincing story. In books, games or TV, the most compelling characters have personality, behaviors and intriguing backstories. In this design journey, you will craft memorable characters with unique, recognizable features. Create silhouettes, play with shape and experiment with color and expressive poses. Aspiring illustrators will be able to create more depth in their storytelling through visually dynamic characters.

Learner Outcomes

• Develop detailed and engaging character concepts.
• Use color theory to enhance character differentiation and visual appeal.
• Refine character designs through feedback and iteration.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience Required

• BS, BFA or Art/Design Major required
• Teaching experience, including the ability to create syllabi and lesson plans, and how to tie those to learning outcomes
• Demonstrated expertise in character design
• Ability to convey complex art and design concepts to students with varied skills (novice to advanced) in a condensed time frame
• Accept and act upon constructive feedback from course evaluations by students and staff.
• Ability to develop and implement diverse teaching and learning for learners from a variety of educational backgrounds, environments and expectations
• Ability to meet RISD's technology requirements
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills

Knowledge/Skills/Experience Preferred

• Experience teaching K-12 in art and design
• Expressed interest in career planning and preparation for teens
• Masters degree
• Teaching certification/certificate
• Knowledge and understanding of early-mid childhood learner principles and respect for students

Documents Needed to Apply

• Resume, including a URL link for your professional portfolio
• Statement of interest preferred

Work Schedule

Classes will be held one day a week for 5 weeks, on the RISD campus in Providence, RI (time of course is currently TBD). Now hiring for the Summer 2026 semester, with classes beginning 7/06/2026 - 8/07/2026

Union: No

Work Modality: In person

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.