The award-winning animation studio’s transformative partnership with Portland Community College establishes scholarship and program funds supporting the creation of an ‘Animation & Motion Graphics’ associate degree.
LAIKA Studios, creators of the award-winning animated films Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Missing Link, and Portland Community College have announced a transformative partnership aimed at fostering diversity and inclusivity in the animation industry. The cornerstone of the partnership is a $60,000 pledge from LAIKA to the PCC Foundation, reaffirming the studios’ commitment to support educational initiatives promoting equity within the creative arts.
Over two years, LAIKA will contribute $30,000 in annual gifts to support the newly established LAIKA Scholarship and program funds, which aims to create an associate degree in Animation & Motion Graphics, enhancing educational opportunities for aspiring animators in Oregon.
“This collaboration aligns with PCC's commitment to providing accessible, culturally responsive education,” said PCC president Dr. Adrien Bennings. “By working closely with LAIKA, we can ensure that our students receive the training and support they need to succeed in the animation industry.”
The partnership will establish three new “Animation” and “Stop Motion” courses, as well as the proposed Animation & Motion Graphics Program (the degree is not yet state-approved). It will provide students with a comprehensive curriculum that blends traditional and digital animation techniques. Through co-created studios and industry-standard facilities, students will gain hands-on experience and practical skills under the guidance of experienced professionals.
“LAIKA is honored to partner with PCC,” said LAIKA’s chief marketing and operations officer, David Burke. “As a community of creators, artists, and scientists dedicated to advancing the animation medium, we are delighted to play a part in fostering the skills, aspirations, and talents of PCC’s student body. Our commitment extends to nurturing film narratives that encompass a wide range of experiences and to help grow the next generation of storytellers who will carry our art form forward. We can’t wait to offer mentorship and provide the necessary tools for these artists to thrive and shape the future of animation.”
In addition to financial support, LAIKA will provide insights and feedback to shape the program's direction and curriculum. Through annual updates and feedback sessions, the studio will play an integral role in guiding students toward industry success. In 2021, LAIKA partnered with Bowie State University to build the first Stop-Motion Animation Studio at a historically Black college/university (HBCU).
The partnership will help tap PCC’s position as a regional hub for digital arts education. LAIKA’s funding will boost the college’s current associate degree offerings in Multimedia, Multimedia Certificate, and Video Production & Emerging Media. The department offers degrees in Creative Coding & Immersive Technologies, Music & Sonic Arts, and Artificial Intelligence & Cultural Computing. In addition, PCC identifies itself as having a diverse student population, with 46% identifying as students of color and a diverse workforce for the studio to tap into.
The partnership includes a PCC Multimedia student-focused internship opportunity and portfolio reviews with LAIKA, supported by the Oregon Film Office.
“We are so excited to be partnering with LAIKA and its innovative production studio,” said PCC multimedia instructor Erik Fauske. “The scholarship donations and program funds will provide financial support to incoming students and equitable access to cutting-edge industry tools. LAIKA’s curriculum feedback, portfolio support, and guidance on workflow will impact students to be job-ready with relevant skills. At Multimedia, we provide an eclectic array of classes in many areas of production, and we are so excited to enhance our animation, visual effects, and motion graphic curriculum.”
Source: LAIKA
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
