Application Deadline: Sunday, March 15, 2026, 11:59 PM ET
Click here to learn more about this opportunity.
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.
Since 2023, the Indigenous Student Digital Exhibition Career Launcher has been presented by the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers with Sankofa Square. Each artist will show their work on five screens in the Square: two horizontal screens (960 x 480 pixels) and three vertical screens (448 x 608 pixels).
This opportunity is for artists who identify as Indigenous, Inuit, First Nations or Métis. The successful applicants will each receive an exhibition fee ($500) provided by the CEAD.
This Career Launcher is presented by the OCAD U Indigenous Student Centre and RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers with Sankofa Square.
The OCAD U Indigenous Student Centre offers a welcoming environment with a wide range of specialized services to support academic, cultural, social and emotional well-being of Indigenous students at OCAD University.
Learn more at: https://www.ocadu.ca/student-services/indigenous-student-centre
The Career Launchers program by OCAD U's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (RBC CEAD) supports the career development of emerging artists and professionals by connecting them with real world opportunities to exhibit and share their art.
Sankofa Square is a unique focal point of the downtown Toronto community. The Square is designated for use as a public open space and as an event venue that can accommodate events of various sizes.
Work closely with Sankofa Square, and the CEAD to ensure high-resolution and properly sized artwork files are delivered to Sankofa Square by Monday, May 11, 2026.
IMPORTANT: Please note that artworks must comply with:
- Sankofa Square Display Policy available here, and
- City of Toronto’s Municipal Code Chapter 694 - 18, E, (4) and (5) regulations available here
The location and specifications of Sankofa Square's two horizontal screens (960 x 480 pixels) and three vertical screens (448 x 608 pixels) can be viewed below. Each artist will be featured across all five screens simultaneously for 15 second intervals throughout the month. Four of the screens will display the artist's work, and the fifth will display the artist’s name and bio. Artists can choose which artwork will be displayed on which screen. The artworks can be static or moving images.
Please provide the following information in one PDF document:
*If submitting as a group, applicants can submit the above materials for each individual group member, or as the group
Sankofa Square
1 Dundas St E
Toronto, ON M5B 2R8
www.sankofasquare.ca
*Collectives and groups are welcome to apply as long as the group consists only of eligible OCAD U students/grads.
**If you have already received this opportunity in a previous year, you are not eligible to apply
***Priority may be given to applicants who have not previously received a Career Launcher opportunity.
Monday, February 9, 2026 at 3pm
OCAD U Indigenous Student Centre
113 McCaul St., Room 410
Are you thinking of applying to this or any other Career Launcher? The Indigenous Student Centre is hosting a Lunch & Learn with CEAD. We will talk through the Sankofa Square Indigenous Student Digital Exhibition and give advice for putting together a strong application for any Career Launcher. Join us and bring your questions!
Click here for more information about our Career Launchers opportunities.