EDUCATION
MFA in Visual Arts, Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University
BFA in Animation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
           Study Abroad, Burren College of Art, Co. Claire, Ireland
Certificate, Film Studies, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

TEACHING
Bill is an Adjunct Professor at Lesley Art + Design. Since 2015, he has taught studio art courses in the Animation & VFX, Integrated Studies, and Foundations departments. He also serves as a juror for BFA Junior and Senior capstone project reviews.

SCHOLARLY RESEARCH
Since 2016, Bill has been a member of a team of five Lesley University faculty across disciplines that has conducted extensive research on effective peer feedback since 2016. The team presented its research findings and three-step protocol for effective student-led peer critique/review at national and international conferences, and in 2022, they published Student-Led Peer Review: A Practical Guide to Implementation Across Disciplines and Modalities.

DISABILITY & ADVOCACY
Bill lives with an inherited visual disability. He has spoken in various forums as an advocate for the disabled community, from university classrooms to international summits. Bill has also organized educational campaigns, art exhibitions, and panel speaker events that give people from across the disability community a platform for sharing their stories and educating others about the profound impact ableism has on their lives. Bill is the founder, member, and former chair of the Lesley University Disability Advocacy and Education Group, as well as a member of the Lesley Art + Design Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice Committee and the Lesley University Diversity Council.

PROFESSIONAL WORK HISTORY
Before 2014, Bill worked as a full-time professional artist and designer in various disciplines and roles, including character animator, motion media artist, illustrator, multimedia designer, videographer, graphic designer, photographer, and video editor. He designed and animated character-driven, interactive educational media and animated promotional videos for clients such as PBS Kids, Addison Wesley, and the Aardvark Design Group. As a motion graphics designer Bill worked with clients across a variety of sectors, including broadcast (WLVI 56), tech companies (HP), and government agencies (US Secret Service). He has also worked in other production phases, including directing and editing videos for Simmons College, Boston College, and Coldwell Banker. Bill designed characters and environments for website interfaces and marketing materials as a freelance illustrator. In addition to contract work, Porter’s illustrations have been published in seven countries.

Recent Exhibitions, Publications, & Presentations
Recent Studio Work: 2014 Present
Artist Statement