## Breadcrumb
1. [Home](/)
2. Markdownify
3. Node
4. [Critical Distance Centre for Curators 2026 Exhibition Essay Commission Call for Writers](/markdownify/node/4162)
April 19, 2026
# Critical Distance Centre for Curators 2026 Exhibition Essay Commission Call for Writers
rgb(255,255,255)
### **Critical Distance Centre for Curators 2026 Exhibition Essay Commission Call for Writers**
**Extended Deadline: Sunday, April 19, 2026, 11:59 PM ET**
[**Click here to learn more about this opportunity.**](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/2026-cdcc-writer)
[**Apply via Typeform here!**](https://ocadu-cead.typeform.com/2026-cdccwriter)
### **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. ](https://criticaldistance.ca/items/)
### **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](http://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
- **or** recent Alumni (class of 2025)
\*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!**](https://ocadu-cead.typeform.com/2026-cdccwriter)
---
[**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)
[### 2027 Sankofa Square Black History Month Digital Exhibition Call for Artists
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. Selected artists will receive a fee of $500 for their artworks to be displayed across five (5) digital screens for the duration of Black History Month in February 2027.
December 6, 2026
](/news/2027-sankofa-square-black-history-month-digital-exhibition-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)
Related Stories
## Related Stories
[### 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)
[### 2027 Sankofa Square Black History Month Digital Exhibition Call for Artists
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. Selected artists will receive a fee of $500 for their artworks to be displayed across five (5) digital screens for the duration of Black History Month in February 2027.
December 6, 2026
](/news/2027-sankofa-square-black-history-month-digital-exhibition-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)