OCAD U marks 150th anniversary with 150 fully funded scholarships

At a special celebration on October 19 to launch its 150th anniversary, OCAD University announced its most ambitious scholarship initiative to date: 150 FUTURES, which will provide 150 undergraduate students with a free education.

Beginning in September 2027, recipients of 150 FUTURES scholarships will each receive $10,000 per year for four years — a total of $40,000 per student.

150 FUTURES launches with significant philanthropic momentum, led by two $1 million leadership gifts from Nancy McCain and Bill Morneau, and John and Jan MacIntyre. Their gifts establish the Morneau McCain Scholarships and the John and Jan MacIntyre Scholarships, respectively.

Together, with additional support from Rosalie and Isadore Sharp, Brian Davis and Lynn Oldershaw, David Binet, and an anonymous alum from the Class of 2002, $3 million has been raised towards the $6-million fundraising goal for these scholarships.

“150 FUTURES is an ambitious investment in students and in the future of art, design and culture in Canada. As we celebrate 150 years of OCAD U, we are looking ahead to the students who will shape what comes next — and making sure more of them have the opportunity to study, create and build their futures here,” said OCAD University President and Vice-Chancellor Ana Serrano to a crowd of more than 800 gathered for the occasion at the Princess of Wales Theatre. 

150 FUTURES BUILDS ON OCAD U’S LEGACY

Since its founding in 1876, OCAD U-community artists and designers have helped shape Canada’s visual identity and culture, including some of the country's most familiar symbols: from the Government of Canada wordmark to the CN and CBC logos, the Tim Hortons logo, the loonie and dime, and the identities of many iconic Canadian brands.

150 FUTURES builds on this legacy by attracting exceptional emerging artists and designers from across Canada who demonstrate extraordinary creative talent, strong academic achievement and financial need.

“Philanthropic leadership like this does more than provide financial support to individual students,” said President Serrano. “It sends a powerful message about the value of creativity and about the role art, design and culture play in Canada. We are deeply grateful to Nancy and Bill, John and Jan, and all of our donors who are helping to make this vision possible.”

The support from Nancy McCain and Bill Morneau and John and Jan McIntyre will help create pathways to an OCAD U education for students whose financial circumstances might otherwise make university difficult to afford.

“There is incredible talent coming through OCAD U, and we want to see more young artists and designers have the chance to discover just how far they can take it. When you give someone with real ability the freedom to focus on their work and pursue what they are capable of, the possibilities are enormous,” said Nancy McCain, an advocate for education and a longstanding champion of the arts and culture, and Bill Morneau, former Minister of Finance of Canada. McCain received an honorary doctorate from OCAD U in 2023.

The impact of 150 FUTURES is intended to extend well beyond the students who receive the scholarships. OCAD U graduates go on to contribute their creative skills, perspectives and leadership across industries and communities, helping shape how Canadians live, work and understand the world around them.

“OCAD U is a very special place. For generations, it has nurtured extraordinary artists and designers and given them a place to develop bold ideas and find their creative voice. Supporting 150 FUTURES felt like a meaningful and important way to help that continue. We are so proud to play our part in OCAD U’s future,” said John and Jan MacIntyre. John MacIntyre is Chair of the Board of TD Bank Group and Partner Emeritus at Birch Hill Equity Partners.

“Canadians deeply value art, design and culture, and support those who create it,” says President Serrano. “150 FUTURES is a way to make that belief tangible — by investing in the students who will create the next 150 years.”

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF IMPACT
OCAD U launched its year-long celebrations of its 150th anniversary at a special event on October 19 at the Princess of Wales Theatre. The more than 800 guests included OCAD U donors, supporters and partners, OCAD U medal winners, and leaders from the arts and culture, public and business sectors.

The event featured Canadian journalist and media personality Jeanne Beker as the master of ceremonies with welcoming remarks by OCAD U Chancellor Jaime Watt and Dr. Duke Redbird, and a performance by Jingle Dress Dancer Marley Fairfield and drums and vocals by Thunder Jack. There was also a special video congratulatory message from Diana Fox Carney, economist and climate policy expert, Canada’s first Ocean Envoy and spouse of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Both OCAD U Board of Governors Chair Lanita Layton and OCAD U President and Vice-Chancellor Ana Serrano addressed the audience. A video presentation provided guests with the highlights of OCAD U’s history and impact. 

The festive event included a performance by Toronto Poet Laureate and OCAD U Professor Lillian Allen, and a conversation between Beker and Pulitzer Prize winning illustrator and OCAD U alum Barry Blitt. 

The celebration ended with a musical performance, introduced by songwriter and OCAD U alum Simon Wilcox, by the Etobicoke School of the Arts Choir Splash. The choir performed the song, If I Ruled the World, co-written by Wilcox with MILCK, Malay, Ido and Bipolar Sunshine.

The 150th anniversary is celebrating the students, alumni, faculty and staff who have helped shape Canadian art, design and culture, while looking ahead to the role creativity will play in the next 150 years. The celebration includes exhibitions, events, partnerships and other initiatives that will explore the University’s history and its continuing impact on Canada and beyond. 

Learn more about OCAD U’s 150th anniversary at ocadu.ca/150.