Game Arts (Tenure Track)

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth•Dartmouth, MA

71d•$77,000 - $90,000

About The Position

The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth invites applications for a tenure-track position as Assistant/Associate Professor in Illustration and Animation/Game Arts, beginning September 1, 2026. The teaching load is five studio courses per academic year. The College seeks a dynamic, imaginative illustrator, animator, artist, and educator who is passionate about student success in interdisciplinary art and design. This position emphasizes illustrated narrative and sequential visual storytelling across print and digital platforms. The ideal candidate will possess strong visual art skills, be well-versed in industry trends, demonstrate expertise in professional creative work and research in a variety of contexts, and integrate traditional methods with current and emerging technologies. The appointed individual will be responsible for teaching a variety of intermediate and advanced courses in Illustration, Animation, or Game Arts. In addition to leading undergraduate classes, the faculty member will mentor graduate students, foster independent inquiry at advanced levels, contribute to curriculum development and assessment, advise students, and engage in service at the departmental, college, and university levels, while maintaining an active creative and scholarly practice. In a rapidly changing creative landscape, the role of the artist in shaping stories and images remains essential. We seek a colleague who inspires students to engage critically and creatively with both traditional methods and new possibilities, while modeling curiosity, adaptability, and artistic excellence. The College of Visual and Performing Arts, with over 500 undergraduate and graduate students, is the flagship visual and performing arts college in the UMass system and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). CVPA offers six concentrations within Art, Design, and Media Arts, along with degrees in Art Education, Art History, Interior Architecture and Design, and Music. UMass Dartmouth enrolls approximately 7,750 undergraduate and graduate students across more than one hundred academic programs. Centrally located between Boston, Providence, Cape Cod, and Newport, the university is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and inclusive faculty and staff committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.

Requirements

A terminal degree, such as an MFA, PhD, MDes, MS, in Illustration, Animation, Game Arts, Digital Media, Media Arts, or a closely related discipline
At least four years of professional creative practice and achievement or relevant college-level teaching experience.
Demonstrated expertise in Illustration and Animation/Game Arts, showing proficiency in current industry methods, technologies, and practices, and able to mentor students in developing creative skills and critical thinking.
Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

At least three years of experience teaching in Illustration at the college-level, with particular interest in illustrated narrative and sequential visual storytelling across print and digital platforms.
Breadth of proficiency across digital tools and physical media and the ability to adapt to evolving platforms and practices.
An active record of exhibitions, scholarship, or industry collaborations
Engagement with emerging technologies or cross-disciplinary approaches that enhance student learning
Demonstrated commitment to mentorship, inclusivity, and community engagement.

Responsibilities

Teaching a variety of intermediate and advanced courses in Illustration, Animation, or Game Arts.
Leading undergraduate classes
Mentoring graduate students
Fostering independent inquiry at advanced levels
Contributing to curriculum development and assessment
Advising students
Engaging in service at the departmental, college, and university levels
Maintaining an active creative and scholarly practice.