From current graduate students to esteemed alumni and faculty members, the Peck School of the Arts Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres was well represented on the international film festival circuit this Fall. We’re excited to showcase the achievements of some of our very own who are currently …
Animation Arts, BA BA
Bring characters and stories to life through animation. Our comprehensive animation major offers a diverse curriculum, cutting-edge technology and world-class faculty to help you unlock your creativity and excel in the exciting field of animation.
The demand for animators is growing. Animation has become a vital visual medium for our culture. Traditional, 3D, experimental and stop-motion animations are prevalent in film, television, single channel video, VR, installation art, advertising, video games, web design and social media. Consistently ranked one of Variety’s “Best Film Schools,” our award-winning Film, Video, Animation & New Genres department is a premier destination for students who wish to pursue multimedia, animation and moving image production. Plus, we are here to inspire and support you every step of the way.
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
What’s it like to be a student at Peck School of the Arts
When you study animation at the UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts, you have access to facilities designed with you in mind, including dedicated animation labs where you can create characters, build sets and experiment with animation methods as diverse as 3D modeling and cut outs, paint on glass and shadow puppets. We offer numerous opportunities for you to gain hands-on experience and build your portfolio. The curriculum is designed for students to complete animated shorts, reels and decks. You can participate in internships with animation studios, make connections through student organizations, and exhibit your work in our annual Animation Showcase.
But don’t take our word for it. See for yourself what it is like to be a student here by scheduling a visit to campus.
Program Details
The Bachelor of Arts in Animation is a hands-on program focused on providing you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the industry by emphasizing technical proficiency, creative problem-solving and critical thinking with state-of-the-art tools used by creative professionals.
Our program is also collaborative, which means you’ll be working on projects that reflect real-world challenges and deadlines. You can collaborate with students from other disciplines within the Peck School of the Arts or beyond, providing a unique and interdisciplinary approach to your education.
Throughout the program, you will learn the fundamentals of traditional and digital animation techniques, including character design, storyboarding, 2D and 3D animation, visual effects and post-production. In addition to these technical skills, you develop a strong foundation in art theory and history, allowing you to approach animation as a form of artistic expression.
View the Animation Arts, BA requirements.
Equipment Room
We believe that a solid foundation in technical expertise, coupled with your unique artistic vision, will pave the way for success in your creative endeavors. Our equipment room provides you with the tools necessary to bring your ideas to life.
Film Archives & Collections
You’ll have access to unique film archives like the Adoor Gopalakrishnan Film Archive & Research Center, which honors the legacy of internationally celebrated filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Or the UWM Libraries Cinema Arts Archive, which contains over 200 essential works from the history of experimental cinema. Learn more and explore the Film Archive Library.
Scholarships & Aid
UW-Milwaukee and Peck School of the Arts offer a diverse financial aid package for students, including Midwest residence savings, scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities and student loans.
Living Learning Communities
Live in campus housing on the same floor or wing as other students in your major or program. The Peck School of the Arts offers three Living Learning Communities where you can be a part of a “community within a community.” You’ll make friends, form study groups and do social activities together. And, best of all, there is no additional cost to be a part of a Living Learning Community.
Cinemas, Festivals & Screenings
Film and video screenings, festivals and exhibitions offer students the opportunity to see and experience both contemporary and historical works by American independent filmmakers as well as by international artists. Learn more about our cinemas, festivals and screenings.
Documentary Media
Documentary films preserve culture and tradition and help create the social, political and economic realities we would like to see in the world and in our communities. Explore how you can express your voice through documentary media.
Internships & Opportunities
Students work and intern professionally with big and small production companies, film festivals and creative agencies throughout Milwaukee, Chicago and beyond. See where your education can take you. Learn more about internships and opportunities.
Student Organizations & Clubs
Meet like-minded people in a wide variety of student organizations and clubs who inspire creativity and will support your aspirations. Collaborate and create, network with professional artists, and deepen your connection with faculty, mentors and fellow students outside of the classroom.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Alumni Stories in Film & Animation
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Film and Animation alumni, faculty, and staff represented in screenings around the world
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Puppet-Making Passion Led Kenosha Native To Oscar Contender ‘Anomalisa’Caroline Kastelic | Film, BFA No one plans to fill a niche. Rather, people have a passion or obscure skill that no one cares about until they discover a need for it. The niches filled by Kenosha native Caroline Kastelic are puppetry and stop-motion animation. And the techniques she learned …
Careers in Film, Video, Animation & New Genres
- 3D Modeler
- ADR Editor
- Advertising Producer
- Aerial Cinematographer
- Animator/Stop-motion Animator
- Art Director
- Artist
- Assistant Director
- Best Boy
- Boom Operator
- Camera Operator
- Casting Director
- Character Rigger
- Cinematographer
- Colorist
- Compositing Artist
- Copywriter/Content Developer
- Creature Designer
- Curator/Programmer
- Development Executive
- Digital Imaging Technician
- Digital Media Product Developer
- Director
- Distributor
- Dolly Grip
- Drone Operator
- Dubbing Mixer
- Editor
- Educational Video Director/Producer
- Educator/University Administrator
- Electrician
- Electronics & Sensor Designer
- Entertainment/Studio Executive
- Festival Director/Programmer
- Film Archivist/Processor/Writer
- Filmmaker
- Fixer
- Foley Specialist
- Forensic Animator
- Gaffer
- Image Librarian/Archivist
- Interaction Designer
- Jimmy Jib Operator
- Key Grip
- Lighting Designer/Technician
- Line Producer
- Location Manager/Scout
- Marketing Executive
- Medical Animator
- Motion Capture Engineer
- Motion Graphics Designer/Producer
- Multimedia Artist/Journalist/Producer
- Photo Asset Manager/Instructor/Editor
- Photographic Labs/Image Producer
- Photojournalist
- Post-Production Supervisor
- Press Agent
- Producer (Film, TV, Web)
- Production Designer/Manager
- Prop Maker/Producer
- Public Relations/Publicist/Publisher
- Puppet Fabricator
- Recording & Mastering Engineer
- Researcher
- Rights & Clearances Manager
- Rotoscope Artist
- Screenwriter
- Script Editor/Supervisor/Writer
- Set Constructor/Designer/Director
- Sound Designer/Editor/Mixer
- Steadicam Operator
- Still Photographer
- Storyboard Artist
- Talent Producer
- Visual Effects Specialist/Supervisor
- Wardrobe Supervisor
Program Faculty
Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Film, Video, Animation & New Genres faculty and staff please follow the link below.
- Assistant Professor, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- benjamij@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall B083
- Assistant Professor, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Area Head, Animation
- Lecturer, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- klatte@uwm.edu
- 818-640-3800
- Kenilworth Square East 492
- Senior Lecturer, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- swelstad@uwm.edu
- Kenilworth Square East 471
- Teaching Faculty I, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- rumali@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall B83A
