OCAD U x SickKids Research Institute Exhibition - Call for Artists

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute (SickKids RI) have partnered to co-create an exhibition in the Great Hall at OCAD University on November 16-27, 2026. The CEAD and SickKids RI are inviting emerging artists to submit existing works for consideration. Artists are asked to reflect on how their submission functions in relation to the exhibition themes below.  

The exhibition will consist of research assets from SickKids RI, and accompanying responsive artworks from seven to nine (7 - 9) OCAD U students/alumni. The research components will include captivating scientific images or videos—work that reveals unseen worlds, conveys a research message, and highlights the beauty and impact of SickKids RI scientific discoveries. The goal is to educate, inspire, and connect scientific work to children’s health in a visually compelling way.  

The 7 – 9 responding artworks to be curated will be in dialogue with this context, For example, your work might explore themes of care, wellness, resilience or unseen dimensions of the body. These artworks could offer poetic, critical and human-centered perspectives that expand how we understand health, illness and the lived experience behind medical research. 

ABOUT THE PARTNER:

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Research Institute is where over 3,000 researchers, trainees and staff take on the toughest challenges in child health. As Canada’s largest, hospital-based child health research institute, SickKids Research Institute conducts and translates pioneering research, training the next generation of researchers, and supporting global scientific communities with knowledge and state-of-the-art facilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The selected emerging artists will:  

• Meet with the selected Exhibition Curator between June-August, 2026 as needed. 
• Deliver artworks  
• Attend the November 19 reception 
• Be present for install and de-installation/pick-up of artworks.  

Exact dates TBD with artist.  

TIMELINE:

• June 1 - 15, 2026 - Artist selections are finalized 
• June – August, 2026 – Curator meets with artists and artworks are readied 
• October, 2026 - Delivery of artworks  
• November 9-15, 2026 - Exhibition mounted  
• November 16-27, 2026 - Exhibition open  
• November 19, 2026 – Reception  
• November 28-29, 2026 – De-installation of Exhibition 

PARTNER:

The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute 

https://www.sickkids.ca/en/research/about-research-institute
https://www.sickkids.ca/ 

ELIGIBILITY:

• Current OCAD U undergraduate students in any discipline who have completed a minimum of 15+ credits 
• or current OCAD U Master's students 
• or recent OCAD U Alumni (classes of 2022 – 2026)

*Priority may be given to applicants who have not previously received a Career Launcher opportunity

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
• Artistic statement/bio (150 words max) 
• A written response about the submitted works and on how it functions in relation to the exhibition themes. (100 words) 
• 1 - 3 images of existing artwork to be considered, and a corresponding image list including: artist(s) name, title, year, medium, and dimensions

RATE:

$500 Artist fee

APPLICATION PORTAL:

Apply via Typeform here

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