## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. Markdownify 3. Node 4. [2027 Sankofa Square Black History Month Digital Exhibition Call for Artists](/markdownify/node/4896) December 6, 2026 # 2027 Sankofa Square Black History Month Digital Exhibition Call for Artists ![Artwork on display at the digital screen at Sankofa Square.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2026-10/CHIME.jpg.webp?itok=NwzqXDXV) Chimemelie Okafor, 2026 Black History Month Digital Exhibition at Sankofa Square. Photo by Zenab Kazmi. rgb(255,255,255) ### **2027 Sankofa Square Black History Month Digital Exhibition Call for Artists** **Application Deadline: Sunday, December 6, 2026, 11:59 PM ET** [**Click here to learn more about this opportunity.**](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/2027-sankofa-bhm) [**Apply here**](https://ocadu-cead.typeform.com/2027SankofaBHM) #### **OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION:** **Sankofa Square** and the RBC 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 2027.** The Career Launchers program by OCAD U’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) supports the career development of emerging artists and professionals by connecting them with real world opportunities to exhibit and share their art. Since 2021, the Black History Month Digital Exhibition Career Launcher has been presented by the CEAD with Sankofa Square. 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. **This opportunity is for artists who identify as Black. The successful applicants will each receive an exhibition fee ($500) provided by the CEAD.** #### **ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:** Work closely with Sankofa Square, and the CEAD to ensure high-resolution and properly sized artwork files are delivered to Sankofa Square by January 14, 2027. IMPORTANT: Please note that artworks must comply with: \- Sankofa Square Display Policy [available here,](https://4ormat-asset.s3.amazonaws.com/vfs/288827/public_assets/147177989/Sankofa%20Square%20-%20Performance%20Display%20Policy.pdf) and \- City of Toronto’s Municipal Code Chapter 694 - 18, E, (4) and (5) regulations [available here](https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_694.pdf) The map below shows the location and specifications of Sankofa Square's t**wo horizontal screens (960 x 480 pixels) and three vertical screens (448 x 608 pixels)**. Each one of the selected artists 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. #### **SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:** Please provide the following information in **one PDF document**: - **Full contact information** (Name, phone, and email) - Current creative **CV** - **Website** and/or **social media** handle - Artist **bio** (150 words max) - A brief **statement about the artwork(s)** you are submitting (2 – 4 sentences about each piece or the whole series) - **3 - 7 images or video links** (Vimeo or Youtube) of **existing work** to be submitted for consideration. \*\*please note: the digital screens allow for a maximum of 15 seconds in length without sound. - A **corresponding list** for the support images including: artist name, title, year, medium, size, and duration (for time-based work). \*If submitting as a group, applicants can submit the above materials for each individual group member, or as the group #### **PARTNER:** Sankofa Square 1 Dundas St E Toronto, ON M5B 2R8 [www.sankofasquare.ca](https://www.sankofasquare.ca/) #### **ELIGIBILITY:** - Current OCAD U undergraduate and Master’s level students who identify as Black, or - Recent OCAD U alumni who graduated in 2025 or 2026 and identify as Black - Artists should submit work that can be digitized and presented on a screen \*Collectives and groups are welcome to apply as long as every member of the group meets the eligibility criteria above. Please note: one (1)Exhibition fee will be awarded to the collective or group (rather than each individual member) \*If you have already received this opportunity in a previous year, you are not eligible \*Priority may be given to applicants who have not previously received a Career Launcher opportunity. \*Receiving this Career Launcher does not make you ineligible for other Career Launchers \* We are particularly encouraging applications from members of the OCAD U community who identify as neurodivergent, as part of an emphasis on creating enhanced access to career opportunities. #### **TIMELINE:** Artists selected and notified in December 2026 Final Artwork due: January 14, 2027 Exhibition Duration: February 1-28, 2027 #### **RATE:** - **$500** Artist fee #### **APPLICATION PORTAL:** [Apply via Typeform here](https://ocadu-cead.typeform.com/2027SankofaBHM) --- [**Click here for more information about our Career Launchers opportunities.**](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/) ## Other Recent News [### Partial x OCAD University Artist Showcase Fall 2026 Call for Artists Partial and the 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. December 13, 2026 ](/news/partial-x-ocad-university-artist-showcase-fall-2026-call-artists) [### 2026-27 Call for Funding Proposals for Student Groups that Support Creative Entrepreneurship on Campus The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites OCAD University student groups with a mandate to support entrepreneurship on campus to apply for funding for student-led initiatives that strengthen and expand the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem at OCAD U. This funding is intended to help student groups create opportunities for entrepreneurship skills development, community building, and revenue-generating activities for students and recent alumni, while reducing barriers to participation for equity-seeking individuals. 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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. December 13, 2026 ](/news/partial-x-ocad-university-artist-showcase-fall-2026-call-artists) [### 2026-27 Call for Funding Proposals for Student Groups that Support Creative Entrepreneurship on Campus The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites OCAD University student groups with a mandate to support entrepreneurship on campus to apply for funding for student-led initiatives that strengthen and expand the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem at OCAD U. This funding is intended to help student groups create opportunities for entrepreneurship skills development, community building, and revenue-generating activities for students and recent alumni, while reducing barriers to participation for equity-seeking individuals. November 6, 2026 ](/news/2026-27-call-funding-proposals-student-groups-support-creative-entrepreneurship-campus) [### 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)