Teaching Fellows in the Visual Arts

Description The Department of Visual Arts (DoVA) is accepting applications from current and recent graduates of the MFA program for a competitive one-year program designed to enhance pedagogical skills and extend artistic practice. Teaching Fellows in the Visual Arts join an academic community of practice around teaching, art making, and professional development, drawing on guidance and support from the Division, the Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning (CCTL), and the Director of the TF Program for DoVA. To be eligible, applicants must have graduated no earlier than Spring 2025 or be scheduled to graduate no later than Spring 2026 from the MFA program in the University of Chicago's Department of Visual Arts, and have not previously served as a Teaching Fellow in the Visual Arts. Successful candidates will be appointed as full-time Lecturers beginning September 1, 2026 with the following workload: teaching four courses in the undergraduate Arts core (one course in each of the Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters, and a second course in one quarter), advancing their own art practice, developing competencies that further the Teaching Fellow's professional goals, and participating in campus activities. Teaching Fellows are expected to attend the four quarter-end MFA critiques for MFA students and undergraduate critiques in Spring quarter. The terms and conditions of employment for this position are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Service Employees International Union. The salary for AY26-27 will be $62,731. Each Teaching Fellow will be provided with support for research and professional development, including financial support for conference travel; access to library privileges, and access to career service support through UChicagoGRAD. Each Teaching Fellow also receives a range of employment benefits, including health insurance coverage options through the University Benefits office. This position is benefits-eligible. The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefits offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook. Teaching Fellows are expected to be fully in residence and on campus beginning September 1, 2026 and during Autumn, Winter and Spring Quarter of the 2026-27 academic year. Teaching Fellows will participate in a program of pedagogical and professional development under the joint supervision of the CCTL and the Director of the TF Program in DoVA. Teaching Fellow positions are full-time. Teaching Fellows are prohibited from accepting any other on-campus employment and from receiving additional compensation from the University during their one-year term of appointment, with the exception of summer work, which must be pre-approved by the Provost's Office before its official start and offered to the Teaching Fellow in the form of an addendum to their letter of appointment. Teaching Fellows are also subject to the University's Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment Policy, which requires approval prior to accepting any outside employment and prohibits academic appointees from accepting appointments at other institutions. Qualifications Program Eligibility: In order to be eligible to apply for the Teaching Fellows Program in the Visual Arts an applicant must: have graduated from the MFA program in the Department of Visual Arts at the University of Chicago in 2025, or be on track to receive the MFA degree in Visual Arts from the University of Chicago in Spring 2026 have successfully served as a Teaching Assistant for at least four courses in DoVA during their two-year MFA program have not previously served as a Teaching Fellow in the Visual Arts Application Instructions Applications are due by 11:59pm eastern time (10:59pm central time) on April 6, 2025 and must be submitted through the University's Academic Recruitment site (Interfolio). The posting may be accessed at Each application must include: a detailed cover letter aimed at the Teaching Fellows Program the applicant's current CV the following teaching materials: a teaching statement, max. 750 words, which includes a description of the applicant's methods and goals in teaching a text or artwork in the Arts Core. Applicants should write about a text or artwork of their own choosing (which may or may not currently be included on the syllabus of a Core sequence), but are encouraged to review details of the Arts Core Sequence as they prepare their statement a proposed syllabus for ARTV 10100 Visual Language: On Images. Applicants who wish to be considered for ARTV 10200 Visual Language: On Objects or ARTV 10300 Visual Language: On Time and Space may also submit syllabi for those classes in addition to the required syllabus for ARTV 10100 Visual Language: On Images. one letter of recommendation addressing the applicant's teaching experience The department will upload course evaluations from the courses in which the applicant served as a TA. Notes on Letters of Recommendation: Applicants should submit their letter requests through the application system as soon as possible (i.e. prior to submitting the final materials) to allow ample time for recommenders to upload their letters. All letters must be submitted as reference letters via the Academic Recruitment website. Selection Process: All applications will be reviewed by the Teaching Fellow search committee for the Visual Arts, which includes the Dean of Students of the Division of the Arts & Humanities, the Master of the Arts & Humanities Collegiate Division, the Faculty Director of the Teaching Fellows program in the Visual Arts, and one or more additional faculty members from the Department of Visual Arts. Notification and Start of Program: Successful Teaching Fellows and alternates will be notified as soon as possible following the application evaluation. Teaching Fellows' appointment will begin September 1, 2026. Note:Appointment is contingent upon graduation no later than the Spring Quarter of 2026, and on the satisfactory presentation of appropriate documentation of eligibility to work lawfully in the United States by the start of the appointment International students who receive an appointment must secure work authorization from the Office of International Affairs prior to September 1, 2026 to avoid a delay in their ability to begin employment.

Created: 2026-03-04