Ivan Bochev is a Bulgarian artist, arts teacher and scholar from Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria.

Bochev was born in his family's farm in the village of Draganovo, situated 25 km North of Veliko Turnovo on 12 October 1946.

He was admitted with a scholarship, scoring high marks on the exams without having taken any special classes prior.

A few years later he was invited to teach art, and after winning a competition, he was appointed as a full-time lecturer.

Later he became dean of the arts department and was the first one in the university's history to be re-elected for the position three times in a row.