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April 16, 2026
# OCAD U Gala After Party celebrates art, music and connection
OCAD U Gala After Party. Image courtesy of George Pimentel Photography.
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Following a standout debut in 2025, the OCAD University Gala and After Party return on Wednesday, May 27, at the Rosalie Sharp Centre for Design. The highly anticipated Gala brings together artists, designers, collectors and donors for an evening that showcases the visionary ideas, exceptional talent and vibrant spirit of the OCAD U community.
Gala guests will enjoy immersive art installations, gourmet food, signature cocktails and an energetic live art auction featuring outstanding works by leading and emerging artists and designers. This year’s auction features a curated selection of works by globally recognized contemporary artists, including Wendy Coburn, Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka, John Scott and Kendra Yee.
Proceeds from the OCAD U Gala and After Party will fund student bursaries, helping to reduce financial barriers and expand opportunities for talented students across various disciplines in art, design and media.
**TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE**
The celebration continues at the OCAD U Gala After Party, which begins at 9 p.m. and features a live DJ set by Fly Lady Di, immersive art installations, cocktails and late-night desserts.
Ticket holders to the OCAD U Gala receive complimentary admission to the After Party.
A very limited quantity of [Gala](https://secure3.convio.net/ocadu/site/Ticketing?view=Tickets&id=102173) tickets remain. [After Party](https://secure3.convio.net/ocadu/site/Ticketing?view=Tickets&id=102213) tickets are available for purchase, with discounted Creative Community tickets available for artists, designers, arts workers, faculty, staff, students and creative professionals at checkout, starting at $75.
**THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS**
OCAD U extends its sincere appreciation to Presenting Sponsor, The Darcy; After Party Sponsor, Forma by Great Gulf, Dream and Westdale; Auction Sponsor, Birch Hill Equity Partners; VIP Reception Sponsor, Forum; Supporting Sponsors Nancy McCain & Bill Morneau and Hatch Ltd.; Auction Lot Sponsor, Holt Renfrew; and in-kind sponsors Artam Design Inc., Element Event Solutions, Focal Point, Happy Pops, National Show Systems, Oliver & Bonacini Catering and Superframe.
The University is also deeply grateful to Gala Co-Chairs Amy Burstyn-Fritz and Jeff Hull for their continued leadership and energy in helping shape this year’s event.
## Other Recent News
[### 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)
[### Call for Vendors: BAM! Holiday Art Market 2026
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Related Stories
## Related Stories
[### 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)
[### Call for Vendors: BAM! Holiday Art Market 2026
OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to partner again with Wychwood Barns to offer a curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni the opportunity to share a vendor table at the BAM! Holiday Art Market.
October 26, 2026
](/news/call-vendors-bam-holiday-art-market-2026)