At an all-day event last week, Bowie State’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts hosted a visit from LAIKA Studios’ Head of Animation, Brad Schiff, to celebrate the launch of the university’s stop-motion animation studio, supported through a partnership with the famed animation studio. One of the leading animation production houses in the film industry, LAIKA has garnered Academy Award nominations for all five of its films.

In 2021, LAIKA announced its partnership with Bowie State University to build the nation’s first stop-motion animation studio at a historically Black college and university (HBCU). The project was aimed at enhancing BSU’s animation curriculum, with the goal of providing a career pathway for BSU students into the animation industry.

Bowie State’s animation & motion graphics concentration is part of the visual communication & digital media arts (VCDMA) bachelor’s degree program, which is one of the university’s fastest-growing majors. It is now the only institution of higher learning in the state of Maryland with a stop-motion animation studio.

LAIKA’s trip to Bowie State University was a huge success and an emotional experience for all involved. Check out some of the great photos from the launch.

Source: LAIKA