Sessional Instructor: Contemporary Canadian Art, Faculty of Arts & Science, Fall/Winter 2025-26

OCAD University; Toronto; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

OCAD University seeks a Sessional Instructor for the Contemporary Canadian Art course for Fall/Winter 2025-26. This position demands a commitment to a collaborative teaching environment, focusing on key contemporary issues in Canadian art and engaging diverse student perspectives. Ideal candidates will contribute to a vibrant educational atmosphere while maintaining high academic standards.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in art, design or relevant discipline required.
• Experience teaching at the post-secondary level is a plus.
• Strong skills in communication and promoting an inclusive environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop course outlines and prepare for studio delivery.
• Conduct lectures, critiques, grading, and evaluations.
• Ensure health & safety compliance and curricular deadline adherence.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Leadership

Education

Terminal degree in art or design

Job description

Sessional Instructor: Contemporary Canadian Art, Faculty of Arts & Science, Fall/Winter 2025-26 Job Code 3560 Department Faculty of Arts & Science Employment Type Temporary/Contract

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestralterritories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work, and create.

OCAD University , Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.

Itisanexciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.

The Faculty of Arts & Science invites applications for the following anticipated course offerings in the Fall/Winter 2025-26 terms:

VISA-3003-301: Contemporary Canadian Art (0.5 credit)
( Fall 2025: September 3, 2025 – December 19, 2025; Tuesday 3:10PM - 6:10PM; In-Person)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This lecture course provides an overview of the issues, ideas and artworks that have shaped contemporary Canadian art in the contemporary period since the 1970s. Drawing upon examples from a variety of mediums, we examine key issues in contemporary Canadian art such as nationalism and Quebec sovereignty, regionalism, multiculturalism, gender identity and cultural diversity. Influences in contemporary Canadian art such as the artist-run centre movement, feminism, First Nations work, new-media arts, installation and the landscape tradition are discussed. The texts used in the course expose students to writings by Canadian artists, critics and cultural theorists.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Teaching and teaching-related responsibilities may include but are not limited to: course outline development, studio preparation and delivery inclusive of lectures, critiques, grading, mid-term evaluations and final evaluations/reviews; including responsibility for health & safety and meeting academic and curricular requirements and deadlines.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The successful applicant should have a terminal degree in art, design or relevant discipline and/or equivalent professional/practical experience
• Experience teaching at the post-secondary level is considered an asset, equivalent relevant experience will be considered
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership and experience promoting a respectful and inclusive work and learning environment for students, staff, and faculty

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Sessional appointments are fixed-term annual contracts. Sessional compensation includes a per-course pay scale with salary level of $7,508.00 (per 0.5 credit course) plus 7% in lieu of benefits and vacation pay, per the provisions of the Employment Standards Act. These positions are subject to budgetary approval and satisfactory enrolment levels.

Applications should include:

A letter of intent stating the candidate’s interests in the areas of teaching by identifying relevant courses above;

A statement of teaching philosophy that responds to the profile of the position;

A link or web address to your digital portfolio of recent and current work/publications (if applicable)

And the names and contact information of three references.

Please upload all five (5) components (including the URL to work)as one PDF. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code

Interested applicants are invited to submit their application in confidence, addressed to Faculty of Arts & Science Appointments Committee, online, by clicking the “Apply Now” button below.

The review of applications will begin on Tuesday, July 15th 2025 at 8:30am and will continue until the position is filled.

Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada for any employer (with a valid work or study permit, SIN and Canadian bank account).

As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, OCAD University (OCAD U) recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. OCAD U understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope.

As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

We encourage members of designated equity-deserving groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire.

In order to alleviate the under-representation of racialized and Indigenous faculty, priority in hiring will be given to qualified racialized and Indigenous persons who self-identify as such in the application process. This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.