
Riva Symko
Assistant Professor of ArtArt History Program Coordinator
ARTS 306
907-786-4704
rssymko@alaska.edu
Education
- PH. D., Queen’s University Kingston, Ontario
- M.A., Western University, London, Ontario
- B.A. Hons., University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
Biography
Dr. Riva Symko is Assistant Professor of Art History. Her primary areas of research include twentieth and twenty-first century Western visual culture, North American indigenous creative practices, new media histories, as well as critical and cultural theory including post-colonial theory, feminist theory, theories of authenticity and originality, appropriation, copyright, and historiography. Previously, Dr. Symko has taught at the University of Lethbridge, Memorial University, and Queen’s University. She has published critical writing on art with MOMUS, Luma Quarterly, SNAPline, Latitude 53 Artist-Run Centre, the University of Lethbridge Art Gallery, Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre, and the Union Gallery. In addition to research, writing, and teaching, Dr. Symko has maintained an active career as an arts administrator and curator with institutions such as the University of Alberta Museums, [ x]curated curatorial collective, Nuit Blanche Edmonton, Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre, and ArtLab Gallery.
Teaching Responsibilities
- History of Western Art I
- History of Western Art II
- History of Modern Art
- History of Contemporary Art
- Italian Renaissance Art
- Gender in Art & Art History
- History of Indigenous Art
- Independent Research: Curatorial Internship
- Curator: Kimura and Arc Galleries
Professional & Department Service
- Curator, Kimura Gallery
- BFA Committee
- Liaison, ARC Gallery
- Consortium Library Committee