February 13, 2026
The Department of Art History, Visual Art and Theory (AHVA) at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, invites applications for an appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor of Teaching Without Review in Visual Art (Painting and Drawing), commencing as early as July 1, 2026.
This is a full-time position for a term of one year. Appointments at the rank of Assistant Professor of Teaching Without Review are non-tenure-track positions, renewable for a total term of up to three years, subject to availability of funds and demonstration of excellence in teaching and service, in accordance with the Collective Agreement between UBC and the UBC Faculty Association.
The department seeks an individual who pursues a painting and/or drawing practice informed by strong artistic, technical, and pedagogical foundations. We welcome applications from artists whose practices range from traditional approaches to experimental or expanded forms that engage with contemporary and interdisciplinary concerns.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate effectiveness in undergraduate teaching and a commitment to innovative pedagogy, curriculum development, and mentorship of students.
The workload for Assistant Professors of Teaching Without Review at UBC includes educational leadership, teaching six courses per year (18 credits), and service duties assigned by the Head. Applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications:
• proficiency in contemporary and traditional painting and drawing techniques and practices
• an MFA degree; however, in exceptional cases, an equivalent combination of education and professional practice may be considered
• an active exhibition record or a significant contribution to an emerging field of practice
• a serious engagement with contemporary art practice, theory, and critical discourse
• post-secondary teaching experience and the capacity to teach all levels of undergraduate courses in your area of specialty
• ability to teach and lead discussions on contemporary art and critical theory with students across all levels
The University of British Columbia—located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people—is one of the largest and most distinguished universities in Canada. Our visual art faculty members have wide-ranging theoretical concerns in both conceptual and traditional practice. The artistic and intellectual community of AHVA is built on meaningful interaction between faculty and students across the department’s three streams—Art History, Visual Art, and Critical and Curatorial Studies. The visual art program partners with strong art history and curatorial studies programs to provide unique studio programs for its students, who may pursue a BFA, a BA major or minor in visual art, or an MFA in visual art. We also participate in the Bachelor of Media Studies program. The department is associated with a leading contemporary art gallery on campus, the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, and the internationally recognized Museum of Anthropology. Applicants must submit their application at https://ahva.air.arts.ubc.ca and upload the following in the order listed within a single PDF (max size 15 MB):
- letter of application
- detailed curriculum vitae (including a listing of relevant exhibitions, publications, authored works, and reviews)
- statement of artistic and teaching philosophies
- evidence of teaching experience and effectiveness (such as a summary of courses taught, teaching evaluations, and sample course syllabi)
- evidence of educational leadership experience (e.g., statement of past and potential contributions to educational leadership (max 2 pages); examples of prior curriculum or program development/renewal work; examples of other educational leadership contributions
- statement of experience working with a diverse student body and contributions or potential contributions to advancing a culture of equity and inclusion
- URL to (and/or a PDF of) visual documentation of current work
- names and contact information of three references*
*Please note that we do not require letters of reference for your initial application. However, your listed references should be willing to provide a confidential letter of reference at a later date, should your candidacy progress to the long list stage.
The expected pay range for this position is $7,679/month – $8,448/month; salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position is subject to final budgetary approval.
Review of applications will begin on March 13, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the BC Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.