Assistant Teaching Professor - Illustration Job at University of Colorado in Den

Assistant Teaching Professor – Illustration

University of Colorado Denver – College of Arts & Media – Visual Arts Department.

Position Details

Title: Assistant Teaching Professor – Illustration (Campus: Denver). FTE: 1.0. Salary Range: $60,000 – $65,000. Start Date: August 2026. Teaching Load: 80% (3 courses per semester, 18 credit hours per academic year). Research/Creative: 10%. Service: 10%.

Responsibilities

• Teach three courses per semester in illustration and related disciplines (e.g., Illustration 1‑5, Drawing for Story, Graphic Novel, Digital Painting, Life Drawing, Life Painting). Courses are taught in‑person.
• Prepare course syllabi, lectures, presentations, student assignments, evaluate student work, track attendance and engagement, and manage Canvas content.
• Maintain office hours and mentor students.
• Participate in Visual Arts Faculty and CAM meetings; collaborate with illustration faculty to refine curricula.
• Maintain an active scholarly and/or creative practice in illustration.
• Engage in service activities supporting the department, college, and university.

Minimum Qualifications

• MFA in Illustration, Design, Visual Art, Animation, or a closely related field; OR BFA with at least seven years of professional illustration experience equivalent to an MFA.
• Minimum five years of professional experience in illustration or related field such as animation or games.
• Recent record of creative work in illustration, animation, games, children’s books, comics, or related areas.
• Online portfolio demonstrating professional‑quality work and client projects.
• Two or more years of college‑level teaching experience in illustration, animation, visual storytelling, drawing, painting, or related disciplines.
• Proficiency with industry‑standard software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Strong professional drawing, painting, and storytelling skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six or more years of professional art‑related experience in illustration, animation, games, children’s books, comics, or related fields.
• Exceptional drawing, painting, and visual storytelling skills demonstrated through client or personal portfolio work.
• Evidence of advanced technical mastery (perspective, concept design, anatomy, stylization).
• Illustration work reflecting ability to engage diverse audiences and cultural viewpoints.
• Evidence of effective, high‑impact teaching practices.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of illustration, concept art, 2D and 3D animation, visual development, character, background and prop design, video games, and publishing pipelines for children’s books and graphic novels.
• Ability to teach and mentor students from diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to serving and respecting all students, staff, and faculty.
• Broad knowledge of art history, contemporary art, illustration, and design.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and related tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across teaching modalities.
• Capacity to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, students, and community partners.
• Self‑directed, initiative‑taking, deadline‑oriented.
• Contributes to a respectful, positive, and professional workspace.
• Interest in emerging trends and technologies in illustration education and practice.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $60,000 – $65,000. Benefits include generous leave, health plans, retirement contributions, and additional details available at https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits. Total Compensation Calculator at http://www.cu.edu/node/153125.

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted until finalists are identified. Preference will be given to complete applications received by January 15 2026.

Required Application Materials

• Letter of application addressing position requirements and qualifications.
• Current CV or resume.
• Website portfolio.
• List of three to five professional references.
• Detailed answers to all pre‑screening questions within the application.

Additional Information

Preferred additional materials include documentation of student engagement or impact.

Contact

Questions should be directed to Karen Ludington, karen.ludington@ucdenver.edu.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Colorado Denver is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination. We encourage applications from veterans, individuals with disabilities, and all protected classes.

Background Check

All prospective employees must consent to and pass a background check prior to final appointment.

Posted By

KAREN LUDINGTON. Office: 30120. Department: U0001 – Anschutz Med Campus or Denver – CAM‑Visual Arts. Position Number: 00350070.