## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/index%2Ephp/) 2. [News and Stories](/index%2Ephp/news) 3. [YZD/Northcrest Digital Mural Commission](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/4340) April 23, 2026 # YZD/Northcrest Digital Mural Commission ![Orange to white gradient in background with orange lines in foreground](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2026-03/YZD_Call2026_2%28BG%29.jpg.webp?itok=hfXmi4Jl) rgb(255,255,255) ### **YZD/Northcrest Digital Mural Commission** **Application Deadline: Thursday, April 23, 2026, 12:00 pm** [**Apply at this link**](https://ocadu-cead.typeform.com/YZDDigitalMural) 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 selected artist/designer will be awarded a project fee of **$18,000 CAD**. **PARTNER & PROJECT DETAILS:** YZD by Northcrest Developments is the largest urban redevelopment in North America underway. Called YZD, the call-sign of the former Downsview Airport, its 370 acres will become several neighbourhoods, featuring homes, parks, shops, schools and workplaces. At the centre of the site will sit a new hub for experimentation and community gathering that bridges YZD's aviation legacy with its future as an international cultural destination. The scope of work for this project includes: Development and creation of a digital artwork that functions as a repeatable linear pattern or illustration (with repeating elements) capable of scaling across the perimeter of an event space. The artwork will be printed by YZD on scrim vinyl and installed along fence sections ranging from approximately 20 to 400 feet in length. Total length is just over 1,000 feet in length at 8 feet tall. The design must maintain visual continuity, rhythm, and impact across these varying lengths. The intervention should create a strong visual identity for the event space while contributing to a welcoming and energetic environment that reflects YZD’s transformation from an aviation site into a dynamic public destination. **Correspondingly, the theme for this mural imagery is “YZD is where I want to be.”** Prior to undertaking the mural itself, in May, the selected artist will first digitally submit a preliminary concept work to the client for approval. **It is currently anticipated that the mural production period will take place May 1 - June 12, 2026 (subject to change).** ![YZD by Northcrest and OCAD U CEAD logo](/sites/default/files/2026-03/CEADxYZD.png) ## Other Recent News [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists 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 receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### OCAD U’s Global Centre for Climate Action and EU bring large-scale art to Toronto’s Canada Malting Silos "The Light" and "Melting Temporalities" transformed the waterfront into a canvas for climate reflection. October 6, 2026 ](/news/ocad-us-global-centre-climate-action-and-eu-bring-large-scale-art-torontos-canada-malting) [### Call for Project Participants: From Our Points of View Encounters with Artists A student-led year-long visiting artist project, under the mentorship of Governor General's Award winning artist Max Dean September 30, 2026 ](/news/call-project-participants-our-points-view-encounters-artists) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists 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 receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Curators 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. One (1) emerging Curator will receive $1,700 to curate a single channel, projection-based screening program of work from the OCAD U community. The Projections Program will be displayed at the CDCC for six-weeks in March 2027. September 27, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-curators) [### 2027 DesignTO Exhibition Stantec Window Gallery Call for Artists DesignTO, Stantec Window Gallery and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce a public window gallery exhibition Career Launcher. One (1) exhibition proposal will receive a total of $1,230 to show their work as part of the 2027 DesignTO Festival. September 20, 2026 ](/news/2027-designto-exhibition-stantec-window-gallery-call-artists)