The California State University is hiring: Art in Animation Assistant Professor

Overview

Art in Animation – Fall 2026 (August 2026).

The College of Arts and Humanities and the School of Art, Design & Art History at California State University, Fresno invite applications for an Assistant Professor of Art in Animation.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in the Animation curriculum, advise students, and supervise student research/creative activities.

Faculty typically teach 12 WTUs per semester.

Faculty may apply for assigned time course reductions to support scholarly/creative work, and the current faculty contract provides for a course release each semester for the faculty member’s first two years.

The successful candidate will conduct independent research/creative activities; serve on school, college, and university committees; engage in community service; and attend School of Art, Design & Art History events.

Specific assignments are dependent on the school’s needs and the background of the individual.

Our students: California State University, Fresno is committed to serving our students with a focus on inclusion.

Fresno State has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); an Asian American/Native American/Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI); and has been designated to the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Qualifications

Required Education (from an accredited institution or foreign equivalent):

• M.F.A or an equivalent terminal degree in Art, Animation, or related field with an emphasis/specialization in Animation OR
• M.A. in Art, Animation, or related field with an emphasis/specialization in Animation will be required AND five years of professional experience in an animation-related field.
• Applicants nearing completion of the M.F.A. in Art degree may be considered; however, for an appointment, the degree must be completed by August 1, 2026.

Required Experience:

• Ability to teach all levels of 2D Animation.
• Demonstrable knowledge of both traditional and contemporary 2D animation processes, techniques, and approaches.
• Proficiency in Adobe Animate, Adobe After Effects, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, and other industry related software.
• Evidence of an active exhibition and/or production record.
• A significant record of scholarship/creative/professional activities is evident in their work.
• Ability to demonstrate excellence in teaching and a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and student success.
• The ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and to engage with diverse communities in the San Joaquin Valley region.
• Minimum of one year of university or college-level teaching experience.
  
  Teaching assistantship will be considered.

Preferred Experience:

• Demonstrated knowledge of both fine art and industry animation processes.
• Experience in a variety of animation processes.
• Experience in additional time-based media, such as video art, multimedia installation, interactivity, or similar.

Application Procedures

To ensure full consideration, applicants should submit all application materials by the full consideration day of December 1, 2025.

The committee may elect to review applications submitted after this date.

All positions automatically close on March 31, 2026.

Note: All positions at Fresno State are subject to funding availability.

Apply online at

For full consideration all application materials should be submitted by December 1, 2025.

Attach the following:

• Letter of interest or cover letter specifically addressing required experience and preferred qualifications, your interests in teaching diverse students, and a description of your research/creative activities.
• Current curriculum vitae that includes at least three professional/academic references with their contact information.
• A representative example of your scholarship/creative/professional work through an online link.
  
  If the work is from a collaboration or studio production, state your specific role in its creation.
• Samples of student work through an online link.
• A statement of teaching philosophy.

Candidates invited for an on-campus visit must submit by mail/e-mail within the designated deadline.

The Search Chair will send information and requests for these items:

• Three current letters of recommendation (dated within 12 months of full consideration date.)

About Fresno State

California State University, Fresno is an engaged University.

We focus on broadening students' intellectual horizons, fostering lifelong learning skills, developing the leaders of tomorrow, promoting community involvement, and instilling an appreciation of world cultures.

We nurture cultural competence by celebrating the rich diversity of the campus community and welcoming the participation of all.

Members of the University community are expected to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

For more information on the University's commitment and dedication to creating a campus known for its integrity, civility, equity, respect, and ethical behavior.

The campus is ranked 2nd in the nation by Washington Monthly for tuition (and tax) dollars; ranked No. 31 for social mobility in U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings; and received a 4.5-star rating on a 5-star scale in Money’s 2025 Best Colleges list.

Tenure-Track Faculty members gain a clear path to tenure through the University's Probationary Plan Process.

For additional information, please visit: .

We value our commitment to the success of our faculty by providing services from the Center for Faculty Excellence to Research and Sponsored Programs.

Commensurate with qualifications and experience the anticipated hiring salary is $6,250-$6,500 per month for Assistant Professor (12 monthly payments per academic year).

As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package.

See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU's excellent benefits package.

Other Campus Information

In compliance with the Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, California State University, Fresno has made crime-reporting statistics available to applicants, students, and employees online at Print copies are available by request from the Campus Police Department.

The person holding this position is considered a limited reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

You can obtain a copy of this Executive order by accessing the following website:

California State University, Fresno is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer consistent with CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy, as well as state and federal law.

We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.

Fresno State's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention.

We are proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus.

The systemwide policy can be found at

Advertised: Sep 30 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Mar 31 2026 Pacific Daylight Time