A state-certified animation program

built by Hollywood studio directors

Animation · Story · Character Design · Filmmaking · Content Creation

Learn more with a tour or Zoom

“Hollywood Animation Academy sets a new standard in Animation education. I trust them so much I sent my daughter there. “
- Brian Horton, Art Director of Tomb Raider
“It’s about time that an animation school provides its students the skills needed to do the work right out of the gate.“
- Ron Hughart, Supervising Director of American Dad
" Finally, an affordable school designed by experienced industry animators for the new crop of talent!"
- Greg Manwaring, Animator for Disney, Warner Bros., and Sony
“This is an investment in a real career path. After researching animation programs across the country, we found this to be the absolute best and best value for the level of technical education. The level of talent, education, and mentorship is unmatched.”
- Parent, Class of 2025 Student
“Our daughter said she learned more here in her first semester then her friend who has been at a traditional art school for two years!”
- Parent, Class of 2026 Student
“Hollywood Animation Academy is a place where aspiring animators can learn the craft the way the pros do it in Hollywood. I've sat in on several lessons with the students and have marveled at their work and the quality of instruction they are getting there.”
- Ron Green, Executive Director of KCIMAGINE
“The online class was genuinely one of the best classes I have ever been a part of, and it fills me with excitement to be starting school later this year! “
- Student, Class of 2027
“In this industry we don’t look at degrees, it’s about a portfolio that proves your skills, and that is what HAA does best”
Dan Jeup- Head of Story for Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo

The First Trade School for Animation

Built by Hollywood Animators

Real studio pipelines. Real credentials- without the university debt.

Talent isn't the price of entry. Drive is. We'll teach you the rest.

Our curriculum blends classic 2D, modern styles, and cutting-edge 3D pipelines — simulating the real studio environment you'll work in.

2,100 hours of training in 2 years. Most four-year degrees give you 800 hours— for triple the cost.

Every hour here is animation. Not a department — the entire school.

Why Kansas City?

Because it's where Walt Disney started his first animation studio — over 100 years ago.

Our founder, Gavin Dell, is a Kansas City native who started right where his students do — a high schooler who loved cartoons. He went to Los Angeles, spent decades in professional animation, and came home to build HAA: serious, studio-caliber training in the Midwest, without the four-year detour or the debt.

He's proud to have built the first trade school for animation in the very city where the industry's most famous name got his start.

Request your 2026-27 program guide

Program Paths

Studios where our faculty have worked

You won’t just learn animation.
You’ll train the way professionals train.

Program Paths

Start where you are with an introductory online class:

Introductory Online Classes - Beginners 15 and up
Creative Edge - Intermediate level for those with experience in Storyboard Pro or Maya

Full-time in person programs:

Two-Year Professional Certificate- in person and online available
Mastercraft Certificate (Advanced Industry Prep for graduates and professionals)

Each path leads to a studio-ready portfolio, industry connections, and the professional skills studios hire.

Explore your path and choose your program!

Mentored BY INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

Choose your program

Our student showcase shows the professional-level assignments our students produce each year.

When students are taught by instructors who evaluate portfolios for major studios, they gain direct insight into current industry standards and expectations.

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

ADMISSIONS

CERTIFICATE + Mastercraft PROGRAMS

FACULTY

There’s still time
to Enroll for
Fall 2026-27

Follow the Program Path that fits your needs the best - choose a One Year or Two Year Certificate Program, or our Three Year Mastercraft Program.

With industry professionals guiding your every step through the program, you’ll graduate ready to step into a real world animation career.

Enroll by September 1, 2026
LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE

Learn About Our Program Paths

00 Days

00 Hours

00 Minutes

00 Seconds

how many hours are students actually learning animation?

Animation instruction hours only

100% Animation Curriculum | All instructors are working animation industry veterans averaging 25+ years of professional studio experience.