## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. Markdownify 3. Node 4. [THIRDSPACE Residency returns for second year ](/markdownify/node/4544) June 18, 2026 # THIRDSPACE Residency returns for second year ![An artist doing final touches to a large abstract painting hanging on the wall](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2026-06/thirdspace2025.jpg.webp?itok=EIUjctaP) **OCAD University is pleased to announce the return of** [**THIRDSPACE: Emerging Artist Summer Residency**](https://apply.ocadu.ca/register/thirdspace)**.** Now in its second year, THIRDSPACE welcomes 20 interdisciplinary emerging artists for an intensive month-long residency and public programming series from June 1 to July 31, led by summer artist and mentor in residence Erdem Taşdelen. This artist-led residency supports emerging artists through mentorship, interdisciplinary exchange, technical workshops, studio access, critical dialogue, and public engagement. Rooted in OCAD Us creative community, the program creates space for experimentation, collaboration, and professional development at a pivotal stage in participants’ careers. Toronto-based artist Erdem Taşdelen looks forward working alongside residency participants on OCAD U’s campus: “I can't wait to see how our incredible roster of selected artists will respond to the residency theme and explore the possibilities of narrative and staging in their diverse practices." This year’s theme, Staging the Unseen, explores storytelling as a form of world-building across text, image, sound, and moving image. Through critiques, workshops, field research, and collective dialogue, participants will examine how narratives are constructed, obscured, performed, and transformed, challenging dominant frameworks while imagining new possibilities for representation and connection. Throughout June, residency participants will work from dedicated studio spaces at OCAD U while taking part in technical workshops, visiting artist talks, field trips, and one-on-one critiques. The residency culminates in a public exhibition at the OCAD U Graduate Gallery showcasing work developed during the program. In July, THIRDSPACE will expand into [**a series of public masterclasses and a final artist talk led by Taşdelen**](https://apply.ocadu.ca/portal/thirdspaceworkshops), offering broader community access to the residency’s themes and creative methodologies. Community members are invited [to register for these here](https://apply.ocadu.ca/portal/thirdspaceworkshops). **Expanding Partnership with Toronto Arts Foundation** The 2026 cohort includes artists from across Canada and internationally, representing a wide range of disciplines and lived experiences. This year also marks an expansion of OCAD U’s collaboration with Toronto Arts Foundation and its [ArtWorksTO](https://torontoartsfoundation.org/programs/artworksto-youth/) program, through a generous contribution of four scholarships awarded to emerging artists in the program. Toronto Arts Foundation’s ArtworksTO program is a partnership with OCAD U and the City of Toronto that supports emerging artists as they transition into professional practice. The program offers mentorship, paid opportunities, professional development, industry networking, and access to OCAD U’s School of Continuing Studies array of professional micro-credentials and certificates. Through a longstanding partnership, Toronto Arts Foundation and OCAD U continue to build on their shared commitment to supporting emerging artists and creatives across Toronto. The four participants from the ArtWorksTO program attending THIRDSPACE on scholarship are: Midyan Isak Samson, Prajj Rajawat, Rubiat Fusigboye and Can Deniz Atıcı. Congratulations to the scholarship recipients! [Learn more about ArtWorksTO here](https://torontoartsfoundation.org/programs/artworksto-youth/). **THIRDSPACE 2026 Programming:** **Emerging Artist Residency:**   June 1 to 26 **Closing Exhibition Reception:**   Thursday, June 25  5 - 8pm  OCAD U Graduate Gallery **Masterclasses with Erdem Taşdelen:**   Saturday, July 4, 11 and 18 1 – 4pm  [Register Here](https://apply.ocadu.ca/portal/thirdspaceworkshops) **Artist Talk by Erdem Taşdelen:** Wednesday, July 29 5 – 7pm  [RSVP Here](https://apply.ocadu.ca/register/?id=fd7d8682-b4fe-4fd4-931a-dfe114718ae9) ## Other Recent News [### 2027 Akin Career Launcher Call For Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designersand Akin have partnered since 2016 to offer this amazing annual opportunity exclusive to OCAD U graduating artists. Two(2) successful applicants will be awarded $2,000 in credits to go towards a studio space at Akin’s shared work spaces in 2027-2028, and $450 in credit for use at Remote Gallery! January 31, 2027 ](/news/2027-akin-career-launcher-call-artists) [### 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) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### 2027 Akin Career Launcher Call For Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designersand Akin have partnered since 2016 to offer this amazing annual opportunity exclusive to OCAD U graduating artists. Two(2) successful applicants will be awarded $2,000 in credits to go towards a studio space at Akin’s shared work spaces in 2027-2028, and $450 in credit for use at Remote Gallery! January 31, 2027 ](/news/2027-akin-career-launcher-call-artists) [### 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)