Seeking Assistant Professor in Visual Studies at University of Toronto

By the time of the appointment, candidates must have achieved a Master of Fine Arts, Master of Visual Studies, or an equivalent Master’s degree. A PhD in Art, Visual Culture, or a similar field, either in progress or completed, is regarded an asset. Candidates must have a track record of excellence in research, creative professional activities, and teaching. We are looking for people whose interests in research, innovative professional engagement, and teaching complement and strengthen our existing strengths. The successful candidate will be expected to engage in worldwide research and/or creative professional activity (e.g., exhibits, festivals, residencies, publications, commissions, and/or curatorial practice, etc.).

Candidates must provide evidence of excellence in research, and/or creative professional activity which can be demonstrated by the submitted research statement; representation in significant exhibitions, installations, screenings, residencies, commissions, festivals, or other forms of peer recognition of creative work; publications in recognized, field-relevant journals (or leading publications in the field) or forthcoming high impact publications or research in progress that targets such publication venues; participation in field-leading research projects and professional networks; presentations at academic or field-relevant conferences; awards and accolades; other noteworthy activities that contribute to the visibility and prominence of the discipline; and strong endorsements by referees of high standing.

Teaching accomplishments, the teaching dossier presented as part of the application (with needed materials indicated below), and strong letters of reference will all be used to demonstrate excellence in teaching. Candidates must be able to contribute to the enhancement of the Daniels Faculty’s undergraduate and graduate programs. These programs would include the Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies, the Master of Visual Studies, and the new PhD in Architecture, Landscape, and Design Studies. The ideal candidate will have expert knowledge and dedicated experience in teaching through contemporary studio art practice and discourse that encourages student experimentation with various traditional and emergent material fabrication methods used to create object-based media, gallery and site-based installations, and/or interactive design.

Visual Studies programs emphasize critical thinking and the creation of art. Visual Studies is housed in a one-of-a-kind environment that focuses on a rigorous investigation of the interdisciplinary and conceptual components inherent in contemporary art and curatorial practice, as well as critical writing, theory, art history, design, and related fields that require a high level of visual literacy. The Visual Studies Studio stream is designed for students who want to focus on studio practice while exploring the Visual Studies program’s many multidisciplinary courses. Rather than concentrating on a particular medium, the Visual Studies Studio stream promotes cross-disciplinary study and hybrid forms of practice that can include painting, photography, sculpture, artists’ moving image, and other time-based media. Students in this stream develop strong visual skills, critical thinking skills, and an understanding of art in historical and social contexts.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online using the URL provided below. A cover letter, a current curriculum vitae, a research statement outlining current and future scholarly, research, and creative professional activities, representative examples of publications, research, and design work, and a teaching dossier containing a strong teaching statement, sample course materials, and teaching evaluations are required.

Applicants must supply three references’ names and contact information. Once an application is filed, the University of Toronto’s recruitment tool will automatically obtain and gather letters of reference from each (this happens overnight). Applicants are still responsible for submitting references (on letterhead, dated, and signed) by the deadline.