Bowie State University has announced that they will be launching an animation studio for students interested in exploring the digital animation industry. By doing so, the school will become the first historically black college or university to launch its own animation studio.
“This is a great opportunity for students to learn valuable skills that will carry them into the professional world of animation,” Bowie State University Department of Fine and Performing Arts Chair Tewodross Melchishua Williams said.
Venturing into a new space, Bowie State University has partnered with the award-winning animation studio, Laika, for their latest endeavor. Over the last decade, Laika has worked on a number of films including Coraline, Paranorman, Corpse Bride and The Boxtrolls.
“There are a lot of storytelling and narrative elements that have yet to be brought to life via stop-motion animation, especially in the arena of children’s programming,” Williams added.
“We are looking at this partnership to be an internship and career pipeline that can help diversify the animation industry, which has been a traditionally underrepresented sector when it comes to the voices of people of color, women, LGBTQ and other communities.”
This is not the first time that Laika and Bowie State University have worked together. The animation studio has already launched an internship program for students interesting in digital animation. This latest program will also be entirely funded by the award-winning company.
“Helping BSU students to express their experience, their artistry, and their potential through the stop-motion art form speaks to our creative and corporate mandate,” Laika executive Arianne Sutner said.
“We’re so excited to explore their talents and to provide mentorship and tools that will enlarge the scope of their filmmaking vision.”
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