Visual Arts jobs in Toronto, ON

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories 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 work, stand 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.

It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community. 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 offering in the Fall 2026 semester. All positions are subject to budgetary approval and meeting target registration in courses. You will only be contacted if you are shortlisted for an interview.

VISC-1004-301F: Contemporary Art and Design
(Fall 2026 Semester: September 9, 2026 – January 4, 2027;
Mondays: 9:30AM - 11:30AM; In-Person Lecture
Tuesdays: 6:30PM - 7:30PM; In-Person Tutorial)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course addresses global contemporary visual culture, with a focus on art and design. It surveys practices and issues in the changing landscape of global contemporary visual culture, considering Western, non-Western, diasporic and Indigenous artistic and visual productions. Through case studies of contemporary art, design, curatorial practice and art criticism across the globe, the course also examines the role of art institutions and industry, as well as of the economy, politics and globalization; the significance of anti-establishment movements and decolonization; and the influence of new and digital media on contemporary practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Meet regularly with the faculty and students on grading, course content and other matters as needed; assist in the evaluation of student work, using criteria established by the supervising faculty; work with faculty and other academic staff in support of the University’s educational goals and objectives; participate in the provision of a safe and secure environment for all members of the University community and its facilities.

QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate should have a graduate degree, undergraduate degree or be currently enrolled in a relevant graduate program; a demonstrated understanding of pedagogy, e.g. course preparation, teaching methods, evaluations standards, etc., English as a Second Language training is considered an asset; strong organizational, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills; sound knowledge of, and commitment to, healthy and safe work practices; previous teaching assistance experience at the post-secondary level.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Teaching Assistants are hired annually on a per-course basis with fixed-term annual contracts renewable to a maximum of 3 years.

Please note:

• Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada for any employer (with a valid work or study permit, SIN and Canadian bank account).
• One cannot hold both a Teaching Assistant and Faculty Appointment within the same semester.
• All positions are subject to budgetary approval and satisfactory enrolment levels.
• If you are a work or study permit holder, please note a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) and Canadian bank account is a condition of employment.

HOURS OF WORK:

Hours per week are based on enrollment.

COMPENSATION:

$33.78 per hour, 6% in lieu of benefits, and vacation pay, as applicable, per the provisions of the Employment Standards Act.

Applications should include:

• A letter of intent stating the candidate’s interests in the areas of teaching by identifying specific relevant courses above;
• A curriculum vitae
• The names and contact information of three references.

Please upload all three (3) components as one PDF. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code

The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

If you require application support, please contact the People & Culture Office. Please note that People & Culture cannot update you on the status of your application as these searches are decentralized to their respective Faculty offices. You will only be contacted if you are shortlisted for an interview. If the posting is advertised, we are still accepting applications.

As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-seeking 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-seeking groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire.

OCAD U is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities

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.