history

History of

The Joe Kubert School

What was originally only an idea, based on a lifetime of experience in his selected profession, was implemented in the form of a school in 1976 by Joe Kubert and his wife, Muriel. In addition to his own experience, Joe sought knowledge from intimates in his profession, those who are and have been considered top-echelon practitioners.

The idea became an actuality with the first group of students who were accepted for the class beginning September, 1976. They numbered a total of 22.

The school is the result of Joe Kubert's perception of a recognized need. Having been asked by many young and aspiring artists the means by which one may attain a position in the professions of Cartoon-Graphics and Illustration, and realizing the lack of any formal schools educating in this specific area, THE JOE KUBERT SCHOOL was born. Although the school began as a two-year school in 1976, it was soon recognized that the two-year span was too demanding of the students. As a result in 1978 the curriculum was expanded to three years. Presently, the 3-year course requires that a student be at his drawing board 8 to 10 hours per day.

Motivation and commitment are the prime means for attending students to acquire the benefits the school offers. Ability (talent) alone does not answer the requisite for becoming a professional cartoonist or animator.

As a result of the school's continued growth, additional physical space was needed. In 1983, the former Dover High School building was purchased. Besides a full gymnasium and a two-tiered auditorium, the number of classrooms contains sufficient rooms for expansion. Recently the building has been upgraded. The improvements include adding air conditioning in each classroom as well as wi-fi routers for Internet access. The building was also made handicap accessible with the addition of an elevator and an entrance ramp.

The original building ("The Mansion"), in which classes were taught, is now also used as a students' residence. It is a 23-room facility located on several acres of picturesque landscape.

In 1980, THE JOE KUBERT SCHOOL started a full program of Cinematic Animation, but in 2008 the program was absorbed back into the Cartoon-Graphics© program.

This school continues to join with publishers, artists, and agencies in the field of cartooning and illustration in its quest to determine contemporary needs and qualitative requirements deemed necessary by the profession.

The instructors continue to be selected from the highest ranks of the profession. As a general rule, our instructors teach those courses in which they are involved professionally, on a day-to-day basis. The school may be compared to an atelier where an aspirant is selected for an internship program in which both master and intern learn from each other. The most effective measure by which the success of our programs may be evaluated is the high job placement ratio of our graduates, and the recognition afforded our graduates throughout the profession of Cartoon-Graphics©, commercial illustration, and animation.

Some of our most effective instructors are those students who have become professionals after graduation and eventually return to teach on a part-time basis. Their ability to convey their knowledge is enhanced by their having experienced the same rigors and learning problems through which the present day students must pass. All of this helps in strengthening the Administration's and Instructors' dedication for every graduate student to be fully employed.

Email us at kubert@earthlink.net