Call for Submissions

Partial and OCAD U’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of our partnership which provides an exceptional career opportunity for OCAD U student artists and recent alumni. Selected artists will be given complimentary 2 year Pro Accounts ($240 value) on Partial and permanent inclusion as featured artists within the OCAD University Artist Showcase on Partial to display their works, and administrate artwork sales and rentals.

Apply by June 2, 2026 — Each spring, Ignite Gallery releases its annual call for submissions. All applications are reviewed by the Gallery’s Selection Committee, which includes the Gallery’s Coordinators, as well as representatives from OCAD U’s faculty and student body. 

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute (SickKids RI) have partnered to co-create an exhibition in the Great Hall at OCAD University on November 16-27, 2026. The CEAD and SickKids RI are inviting emerging artists to submit existing works for consideration.

The responding artworks to be curated will be in dialogue with captivating scientific images or videos from SickKids Research Institute. 7-9 successful artists will each be paid a $500 Artist Fee.

Call for Vendors: CreativeHub 1352 – Lakeview Artisan Pride Market x OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is pleased to announce a call for vendors for the Lakeview Artisan Pride Market, delivered in partnership with CreativeHub 1352.

This opportunity is open to a small, curated group of LGBTQIA2S+ OCAD U students and recent alumni (graduated 2024 or later) who are interested in gaining hands‑on experience tabling at a Pride‑focused artisan market.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute (SickKids RI) have partnered to co-create an exhibition in the Great Hall at OCAD University on November 16-27, 2026. One (1) successful emerging curator will be paid $4,000 to help curate elements of the exhibition. The exhibition will consist of research assets from SickKids RI, and accompanying responsive artworks from seven to nine (7 - 9) OCAD U students/alumni. 

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce a recruited placement in partnership with Studio Magazine for the role of Editorial Assistant.  Working closely with the Managing Editor, the intern will get direct, practical experience with how a nationally distributed arts magazine comes together: editorial prep and copyediting, production administration, web publishing, and editorial planning. Some social media content creation is also part of the role.

For the third year in a row, the Delegation of the European Union to Canada and the Global Centre for Climate Action at OCAD University are partnering to support artists, designers, and scholars across Canada and the EU in developing and presenting artworks that expand how we imagine and engage with climate action.

Bau-Xi Gallery and the Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce an exhibition opportunity for artists in Drawing & Painting,Sculpture & Installation, Photography, and IAMD Master’s students in their graduating term.

OCAD U students are invited to submit samples of existing work to be considered for a paid opportunity to collaborate with Roots on a new OCAD U limited-run merch design (for example for a t-shirt, hat or hoodie) to be sold this fall.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to partner with YZD/Northcrest to create an exclusive call-for-submissions from members of the OCAD U community. YZD/Northcrest is seeking as many as 13 mural artists to develop and produce new murals at an upcoming experiential and community hub, located near Dufferin and Wilson Ave in Toronto.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the return of the 401 Richmond Illustration Studio for graduating Illustration students.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to partner with YZD/Northcrest to create an exclusive call-for-submissions from members of the OCAD U community. YZD/Northcrest is seeking one artist to develop and produce a new digital mural for installation on the perimeter fencing at an upcoming experiential and community hub, located near Dufferin and Wilson Ave in Toronto.

The Centre for Learning & Teaching (CLT) is excited to announce the return of OCAD U’s annual Teaching Expo which will take place on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Members of the OCAD U community are invited to submit a proposal to this year's expo by Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
 

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create the Critical Distance Exhibition Essay Career Launcher. The opportunity will select one (1) writer to be commissioned for an approx. 750 word exhibition essay to accompany a new public art billboard piece on Shaw street in August/September 2026.

The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to announce the 10th annual Career Launcher Fund for graduating students. Emerging artists and designers are invited to apply for a funding opportunity relating to career supports and skills building as they transition out of school.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to announce the return of our partnership with Mako Art Market, a curated pop‑up event celebrating cute, creative, and handcrafted goods by local artists and makers. This opportunity allows a small group of OCAD U students and recent alumni to share a table and sell their artworks or products within a supportive, community‑oriented setting.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create the Critical Distance Public Art Billboard Career Launcher. The opportunity will select a work from one (1) emerging artist to be exhibited at their public art billboard space on Shaw Street in August/September 2026. An essay will be commissioned to accompany the work. 

InterAccess’s Vector Festival and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designersare excited to announce a Career Launcher providing the opportunity for one (1) graduating artist/game-maker from the OCAD U community to participate in the Vector Festival Gamemaking Residency & Showcase in July 2026.

OCAD U is excited to partner with Wonderbrands on a new packaging design challenge for their Country Harvest bread. This is an excellent opportunity to apply your creative skills to a real world project with meaningful compensation and recognition. 

The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the Gallery 44 Vitrines Curatorial Incubator Career Launcher for graduating OCAD U students and recent alumni. One (1) successful emerging artist, curator or designer will be paid $1500 to curate a project in the G44 Vitrines, opening in September 2026.

Sankofa Square and the Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of the annual digital exhibition Career Launcher providing an  opportunity for three (3) artists from OCAD U’s Indigenous community to exhibit their work on the Square’s digital screens. Indigenous artists are invited to submit artworks to be displayed across five (5)digital screens for the duration of National Indigenous History Month in June 2026. 

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce a recruited placement in partnership with wonderMakr for the role of Assistant Producer.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce recruited placements in partnership with The Community for 6-month internship roles in Copywriting, Design, Spatial Design, and Motion Graphics.

An exciting opportunity is here for GradEx students! The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is working with the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair to provide those participating in GradEx an opportunity to showcase their work at this year’s Toronto Outdoor Art Fair. 

The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the Toronto Animated Image Society (TAIS) Residency Career Launcher for OCAD U students. One (1) successful applicant will be awarded a membership with TAIS ($50 value), $600 in studio rental credits at TAIS to be used in the summer of 2026, and $220 towards production supplies.The selected artist will work towards a self-directed final project during their time with TAIS and give an artist talk. A fee of $300 will be given for the talk. 

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to announce an amazing curatorial opportunity in partnership with the Aurora Cultural Centre (ACC) and Station Gallery (SG).

The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the Open Studio Printmaking Residency Career Launcher for OCAD U students.

The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the return of the Contemporary Textile Studio Artist Residency Career Launcher for Undergraduate or Master’s level students graduating in 2026.

The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the return of our partnership with Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF), Canada’s leading contemporary outdoor & online art fair.

Partial and OCAD U’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of our partnership which provides an exceptional career opportunity for OCAD U student artists and recent alumni. 

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the return of our opportunity in partnership with Format for one (1) graduating designer and one (1) graduating artist.

In May 2026, the International Programs & Collaboration Office is offering a co-curricular opportunity in Nassau, Bahamas. This program is tailored to students working in all mediums and creative disciplines and is designed to strengthen their professional practice through hands-on learning.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce a recruited placement in partnership with Kitworks for the role of Jr. Creative Designer.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce a recruited placement in partnership with InterAccess’ Vector Festival for the role of Festival Assistant.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce a recruited placement in partnership with VIBE Arts for the role of Program Assistant.

The Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs is an exclusive opportunity for OCAD University students and recent alumni to receive funding to help launch or grow their creative business.