Teaching Fellows in the Visual Arts

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 Chicagos 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 Fellows 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 $62731. 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 Provosts 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 UniversitysConflict 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.

Program Eligibility: In order to be eligible to apply for the Teaching Fellows Program in the Visual Arts an applicant must:

1. have graduated from the MFA program in the Department of Visual Arts at the University of Chicago in 2025or
2. be on track to receive the MFA degree in Visual Arts from the University of Chicago in Spring 2026
3. have successfully served as a Teaching Assistant for at least four courses in DoVA during their two-year MFA program
4. have not previously served as a Teaching Fellow in the Visual Arts