The Academy of Fine Arts in Prague (AVU) invites applications for two Studio Leader positions in Fine Art with a focus on painting, starting September 1, 2026.
AVU is one of the oldest art academies in Central Europe, founded in 1799. With approximately 300–350 students, we are a small institution built around intensive studio-based education—students work in close mentorship with artists and professors across studios in painting, sculpture, new media, intermedia, drawing, and printmaking. We understand the studio as a dynamic intellectual and creative space, and we see these open calls as an opportunity for development.
Positions
Studio Leader–Painting Studio 1 involves mentoring students in collaboration with an international visiting lecturer, conducting studio critiques, programme development, and collaboration with the school's leadership.
Studio Leader–Painting Studio 2 involves individual mentoring of students, studio critiques, programme development, and collaboration with the school's leadership. For this position, AVU welcomes applications from both individual candidates and artist duos with an established shared practice.
Both positions operate within the Bachelor's and Master's programmes, with the possibility of supervising doctoral students.
What we are looking for
–An active artistic practice with relevance on both the Czech and international contemporary art scene
–The ability to clearly articulate one's artistic and pedagogical position
–Proficiency in English for professional and pedagogical communication
–An interest in working with students as individual artistic voices
–Experience in, or openness to, working in an international context
–An academic qualification (PhD, associate or full professorship) is an advantage
We are particularly interested in candidates who will enrich the diversity of approaches at AVU— rtistically, generationally, in terms of gender, and methodologically.
Teaching concept
Applications should include a pedagogical concept for 2027–2030, addressing how the candidate understands painting in a contemporary context, proposed ways of working with students, and a suggested name for the studio. Painting 2 applicants may also propose an assistant position. We are not looking for an academic document—we are interested in a clearly defined artistic and pedagogical position.
Terms
Start date: September 1, 2026. Fixed-term contract of one year, with the possibility of renewal for two years and subsequently for three years, subject to internal review. Salary and benefits in accordance with AVU standards.
Application
Please send the following to opencall@avu.cz by May 3, 2026, indicating which position you are applying for:
–Teaching concept (2027–2030)
–Motivation letter
–CV
–Portfolio (PDF, max. 30 MB)
–Copies of educational certificates
Foreign qualifications will require recognition (nostrification) upon appointment. Enquiries may be directed to the same address.
AVU is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from the Czech and international artistic community regardless of age, gender, gender identity, or ethnicity.
