Critical Distance Centre for Curators 2026 Exhibition Essay Commission Call for Writers
Application Deadline: Sunday, April 5, 2026, 11:59 PM ET
Click here to learn more about this opportunity.
Apply via Typeform here!
OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION:
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.
Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC), a not-for-profit gallery, publisher, and professional network devoted to the support and advancement of curatorial inquiry in Toronto, Canada, and beyond. With a focus on critically-engaged, collaborative, and cross-disciplinary practices, underrepresented artists and art forms, and community outreach and education in art and exhibition-making, Critical Distance is an open platform for diverse curatorial perspectives, and a forum for the exchange of ideas on curating as a way to connect, engage, and inform people and publics across cultures, disciplines, geographies, and generations.
The CEAD and CDCC are inviting emerging writers to submit their work for consideration. The essay will be published on CDCC’s website to accompany the billboard exhibition. The selected writer will receive editing support from the CDCC team. After the exhibition, the writer will be added to the CDCC’s online database of artists, curators and writers.
To see examples of past writing and publishing projects, visit CDCC’s website.
RESPONSIBILITIES & TIMELINE:
The selected emerging writer will:
- Write an approximately 750-word exhibition essay to accompany the August/September 2026 billboard exhibition
- Meet with the selected artist for the Critical Distance Public Art Billboard Career Launcher. Recipients will be connected in mid-May, 2026
- Submit a first draft for review by mid-July 2026. Editing guidance will be provided by the CDCC.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Please provide the following information in one PDF document:
- Full contact information (Name, phone, and email)
- Current resume or CV
- Website and/or social media
- A brief statement/bio (150 words max)
- Ashort writing sample about a work of contemporary art (300 words).
PARTNER:
Critical Distance Centre for Curators
www.criticaldistance.ca
401 Richmond St. W, Suite 122
Toronto, ON, M5V3A8
ELIGIBILITY:
- Current OCAD U undergraduate students who have completed 15+ credits and will be graduating in 2026,
- or current OCAD U Master's students graduating in 2026.
*Priority may be given to applicants who have not previously received a Career Launcher opportunity
**If you have already received this opportunity in a previous year, you are not eligible to apply
QUALIFICATIONS:
- A strong knowledge of contemporary art and discourse
- Experience writing about public art and an interest in arts writing/publishing would be considered an asset
RATE:
$650 Essay fee
APPLICATION PORTAL:
Apply via Typeform here!
Click here for more information about our Career Launchers opportunities.
