Events

All new students are invited to join us for Welcome Day! 

stART is a free program that prepares new undergraduate (BA, BDes, BFA) students with disabilities for success at OCAD U. Part of Fall 2026 Orientation.

The VRTO Spatial Media World Conference - presented in partnership with OCAD University - returns June 24 to 26, 2026.

FIVARS returns to Toronto from June 15 to 19, 2026, for its 12th edition, with OCAD U as presenting sponsor.

Join us for an engaging conversation between artist Jel Suarez and OCAD University President + Vice Chancellor Ana Serrano!

As part of this year’s inaugural Toronto Climate Week (TOCW), the GCCA is hosting its two-part closing event for 2025/26 academic year. Come join us celebrate the start of summer and the work of our very own BMO Sustainable Futures Faculty Fellows, Assistant Professor Michael Lee Poy along with fashion and textile Assistant Professor Leesa Hamilton from NSCAD University and Toronto Metropolitan University graduate student Monica Polo of mpolo designs inc.

Join celebrated innovation strategist and author Alexander Manu for the launch of his provocative new book, You Were Never Just Using It: How Technology Rewrote the Self, One Click at a Time.

Winner of the 2005 Hot Docs Award for Best Canadian Feature Documentary
 

Film Screening

Following a standout debut last spring, the OCAD U Gala returns on May 27, 2026, as a rising highlight in Toronto’s cultural calendar.

OCAD University's Teaching Expo returns for its seventh edition on Tuesday, May 26 as a full-day in person conference that celebrates teaching and learning across the university and gives the community an opportunity to gather and showcase innovation and research in art and design pedagogy. 

OCAD University Senate Meeting

Looking for some feedback on your work, career path, or life after OCAD U? The OCAD U Creative Professionals-In-Residence program is a mentorship initiative created to support the career success of current OCAD U students and recent alumni. Book a one-on-one career mentorship session with our guests this semester and receive career advising, feedback on your portfolio and hear their professional insights.

Wander slowly, breathe deeply, and gather in ritual. This small-group meditative nature walk and tea ceremony invites participants into a quiet, sensory experience rooted in mindfulness, presence, and environmental connection—an intimate offering for up to 10 guests.

Join us for an evening to celebrate this year’s OCAD U Creative Writing graduating cohort at Onsite Gallery

Exhibition by Prof. Emerit Stan Krzyzanowski.

OCAD University’s 111th Annual Graduate Exhibition, Toronto’s largest free art and design exhibition, takes place May 6 to 10, 2026, featuring the work of more than 800 emerging artists and designers.

Co-presented with UKAI Projects, this immersive day-long workshop invites you into collaborative experiments between humans and machines.

OCAD University Senate Meeting

Coffee Chats is a series of casual gatherings with industry guests. Hosted at the CEAD in small intimate groups, these gatherings will provide a space for group conversations with practitioners who are interested in supporting OCAD U students and grads to offer mentorship, and share their professional insights and journey, while collectively creating a community.

Learn how to stand out without selling out. This workshop covers branding, storytelling, and content strategies to help creative entrepreneurs attract the right audience and communicate their value clearly. Leave with practical ideas for promoting your work in a way that feels aligned with your creative vision.

How to acquire plinths for GradEx.

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites you to an interactive workshop with Shilbee Kim designed to help creatives evaluate both the passion and the practical viability behind their entrepreneurial ideas.

Curious about how Partial helps to share, and even sell, your artwork? Join us for a short info session with the co-founder of Partial, Tammy Yiu Coyne, to learn about this Toronto-based art platform, and all the features it offers to emerging artists like you.

Metabolic Loop Artists Alyssa Alikpala and Maria Simmons will be in conversation with guest curators, Gizem Candan and Steffi Ng Sin Tung (GAS Collective).

Friday Nights on the Mic!

Metabolic Loop Curatorial Tour with Gizem Candan and Steffi Ng Sin Tung (GAS Collective)

Join us for Global Perspectives on Creative Entrepreneurship, a dynamic 45–60 minute online session led by Gabriela Román González, Founder & Director of Mentoras Creativas.  

This session offers emerging artists, designers, and creative entrepreneurs practical tools for building sustainable, future‑ready practices. Drawing from international case studies and real‑world experience, Gabriela breaks down what it takes to expand your work regionally and globally while staying true to your vision.

Artist impression of the proposed Art Trail on Ookwemin Minising courtesy Norm Li AG+I.