Call for Submissions

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) 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers and Akin have partnered since 2016 to offer this amazing annual opportunity exclusive to OCAD U graduating artists. Two(2) successful applicants will be awarded $2,000 in credits to go towards a studio space at Akin’s shared work spaces in 2026-2027, and $450 in credit for use at Remote Gallery!  

DXC and OCAD University, in partnership with the EU Delegation to Canada, invite emerging youth artists, aged 18 to 29, from Canada and EU to participate in the DemocracyXChange 2026.

OCAD University announces the 2026 edition of THIRDSPACE: Emerging Artist Summer Residency, led by Erdem Taşdelen.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to partner with Medallion Corp. to create an exclusive call-for-submissions from members of the OCAD U community.

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.

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

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is partnering with Bamtori Studio, a Toronto-based creative design and lifestyle brand that celebrates local and emerging artists by hosting community art markets in the GTA. A small, curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni will be invited to share an OCAD U table to sell products and artworks as part of Bamtori Studio’s JingleBam Market.

DesignTO, Stantec Window Gallery and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce a public window gallery exhibition Career Launcher, providing an exhibition opportunity for one (1) exhibition proposal from current OCAD U students and recent grads to show their work as part of the 2026 DesignTO Festival. 

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher.  Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will each receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC for six-weeks in January/February 2026.

Trinity Square Video (TSV) and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce a Career Launcher providing an exhibition opportunity for one (1) media artist from the OCAD U community to exhibit their work at Trinity Square Video’s Vitrine at 401 Richmond St. throughout the month of September 2025. The successful applicant will receive an exhibition fee of $600 (provided by TSV) plus a material and installation fee of $600 (provided by CEAD).

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce a recruited placement in partnership with Trinity Square Video for the role of Graphic Design/Communications Intern.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create the CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher.

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 (2024 grads). Thirty (30) 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.

TO Live and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to partner on a Career Launcher providing an exhibition opportunity for six to eight (6-8) artists from OCAD U’s Indigenous community to exhibit their work at Meridian Arts Centre, Lower Gallery throughout the month of December 2025.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to announce a new partnership with Eat Sleep Meep that will allow a small, curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni to share a table to sell products and artworks at the Just Tasty Things Market.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is launching a mentorship program for creative entrepreneurs. Running from June to December 2025, this initiative is designed to empower early-stage creative businesses across a spectrum of disciplines—including visual art, cultural production, design fields, media production, social enterprise, technology-enabled services and more. Through mentorship, the program aims to bridge the gap between ideas and successful business ventures.