CEAD Events & Opportunities

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the return of the 401 Richmond Illustration Studio for graduating Illustration students.

The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to announce the 10th annual Career Launcher Fund for graduating students. Emerging artists and designers are invited to apply for a funding opportunity relating to career supports and skills building as they transition out of school.

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 Public Art Billboard Career Launcher. The opportunity will select a work from one (1) emerging artist to be exhibited at their public art billboard space on Shaw Street in August/September 2026. An essay will be commissioned to accompany the work.

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.

OCAD U is excited to partner with Wonderbrands on a new packaging design challenge for their Country Harvest bread. This is an excellent opportunity to apply your creative skills to a real world project with meaningful compensation and recognition.

The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the Gallery 44 Vitrines Curatorial Incubator Career Launcher for graduating OCAD U students and recent alumni. One (1) successful emerging artist, curator or designer will be paid $1500 to curate a project in the G44 Vitrines, opening in September 2026.

Sankofa Square and the Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of the annual digital exhibition Career Launcher providing an opportunity for three (3) artists from OCAD U’s Indigenous community to exhibit their work on the Square’s digital screens. Indigenous artists are invited to submit artworks to be displayed across five (5)digital screens for the duration of National Indigenous History Month in June 2026.