2023 OPPORTUNITIES
Cboe Commissioning Program
The Cboe Commissioning Program will select and retain five (5) emerging artists, representing different artistic practices, providing a diversity of artistic voices and approaches to be showcased in the commissioning program. Working under the guidance of a Curatorial Coordinator and responding to a client creative brief, each artist will be commissioned to produce an estimated five (5) to ten (10) original artworks over the course of the year of the program term. Artists will receive $1,200 per commissioned work.
Recipients Announced.
Clark Centre for the Arts
Call for Curators/Cultural Producers for Group Exhibition
The opportunity will select one (1) emerging curator/cultural producer to coordinate an exhibition at the Clark Centre for the Arts for June of 2024 in their Gallery 191 space. Curators/ cultural producers are invited to submit an exhibition proposal with three (3) to five (5) five artists from the OCAD U community. The selected applicant will receive guidance from a curatorial mentor, designated by the Clark Centre for the Arts.
Recipients Announced.
Yonge-Dundas Square Black History Month Digital Exhibition
Yonge-Dundas Square, and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce a digital exhibition Career Launcher providing an exhibition opportunity for three (3) artists to exhibit their work on the square’s digital screens. Artists are invited to submit existing artworks to be displayed across five (5) digital screens for the duration of February 2024, reflecting on the theme of celebration.
Recipients Announced.
Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT), Designer-in-Residence
OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce a recruited placement in partnership with LIFT for the role of Designer-in-Residence. LIFT is looking for an independent and enthusiastic emerging designer to come on board for a six-month contract that would allow them the opportunity to help redesign key public assets for the organization, including both online and print materials.
Recipient Announced.
Yonge-Dundas Square
Indigenous Student Centre
Digital Exhibition
Yonge-Dundas Square, the OCAD U Indigenous Student Centre, and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce a digital exhibition Career Launcher providing an exhibition opportunity for three (3) artists from the OCAD U’s Indigenous community to exhibit their work on the Square’s
digital screens. Artists are invited to submit existing artworks to be displayed across five (5) digital screens for the duration of November 2023, reflecting on the theme of storytelling.
Recipients Announced.
DesignTO Exhibition
at Stantec Window Gallery
Call for Artists
DesignTO, Stantec Window Gallery and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce a public window gallery exhibition Career Launcher, providing an exhibition opportunity for one (1) exhibition proposal from current OCAD U students and recent grads to show their work as part of the 2024 DesignTO festival. Artists and designers are invited to submit proposals for existing work to be shown from Dec 21, 2023, to March 20, 2024.
Recipients Announced.
Parks Canada, Visual Creative Content Specialist
OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Rouge National Urban Park are excited to announce the return of the Parks Canada Career Launcher for technically savvy students with photography and videography skills. OCAD U students are invited to apply for this opportunity. The successful applicant is employed at Rouge National Urban Park.
Recipient Announced.
Contemporary Textile Studio
Co-op Residency
Announcing the inaugural Contemporary Textile Studio Artist Residency Career Launcher for students or recent grads (2022, 2023). One (1) successful applicant will be awarded a 9 week self-directed residency with Contemporary Textile Studio Cooperative ($550 value) which grants them access to the co-op’s studio, facilities and equipment. Mentorship from one to two studio members will be provided throughout the residency Additionally, the CEAD will provide the selected artist with $300 to support the cost of materials and supplies during their residency.
Recipient Announced.
Waterfront Toronto Mural
Waterfront Toronto and Waterfront BIA commissioned a new artwork for 7 Queens Quay East, the site for Smorgasburg Toronto 2023. As part of the project, an OCAD student or recent graduate with experience in producing large-scale works (ie: art murals) for clients was selected to create a unique piece of art that will act as a beacon to the food festival, as well as future temporary programming on the site.
Recipient Announced.
Critical Distance Centre for Curators Exhibition Essay Commission Career Launcher
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 a 500 word exhibition essay to accompany a new public art billboard piece on Shaw street in August/September 2023.
Recipient Announced.
Slate Asset Management Career Launcher
OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the return of an opportunity
with Slate Asset Management. Slate is seeking proposals for a rotating public art exhibit that will animate the lobby of 2 St. Clair West in the Yonge St. + St. Clair Avenue West community. Slate welcomes Drawing & Painting students graduating in 2023, working in all mediums to submit proposals. Selected artists will receive a $3,000 rental fee for the 6-month display of their works.
Recipients Announced.
Akin Career Launcher
OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the return of the Akin Career Launcher for Drawing & Painting, Integrated Media, Indigenous Visual Studies, Cross Cross-Disciplinary Art: Life Studies, and Sculpture & Installation students in their graduating term. Students are invited to apply for this opportunity and two successful applicants will be awarded $2,000 in credits to go towards a studio space at Akin’s shared workspaces in 2023-2024!
Recipients Announced.
Arts Etobicoke Project Coordinator Career Launcher
OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce a recruited placement in partnership with Arts Etobicoke for the role of Project Coordinator.The Project Coordinator will join the Arts Etobicoke team to support their community art classes and outdoor events and workshops. This is a fantastic opportunity for OCAD U students interested in building skills in arts facilitation and education from a community-centered approach.
Recipient Announced.
Secret Planet Studio Assistant Career Launcher
OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the return of a a recruited placement in partnership with Secret Planet for the role of Studio Assistant. This is a great opportunity for artists and designers interested in screen printing, stationary, learning more about how to run a print studio, and working with local artists. Working closely with Secret Planet Print Shop, the Studio Assistant would gain hands on knowledge around the day-today workings of running and managing a print shop with their team.
Recipient Announced.
Critical Distance Centre for Curators Public Art Billboard Career Launcher
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 2023. An essay will be commissioned to accompany the work.
Recipient Announced.
Gallery 44: Centre for Contemporary Photography Residency Career Launcher
The Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the Gallery 44 Residency Career Launcher for OCAD U students. The selected artist will towards a self-directed final project oriented towards their goals to be determined with the Gallery 44 Membership Coordinator. Possible outputs include an artist talk, exhibition, online project, workshop or more.
Recipients Announced.
Toronto Animated Image Society (TAIS) Residency Career Launcher
The Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the Toronto Animated Image Society (TAIS) Residency Career Launcher for OCAD U students. The selected artist will work towards a self-directed final project during their time with TAIS and give an artist talk.
Recipients Announced.
Open Studio Contemporary Printmaking Studio Residency
Career Launcher
The Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the Open Studio Residency Career Launcher for OCAD U students. The selected artist will work towards a self-directed final project during their time with Open Studio and give an artist talk at OCAD U in Fall 2023.
Recipients Announced.
Art Metropole
Programs, Publications and Shop Assistant
OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce a recruited placement in partnership with Art Metropole for the role of Programs, Publications & Shop Assistant. The Programs, Publications & Shop Assistant will join Art Metropole’s team to support activities at their 896 College Street space, at pop-up locations, and online.
Recipient Announced.
401 Richmond
Illustration Studio
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. Graduating ILLU students are invited to apply for this opportunity and four (4) successful applicants will be awarded one year of free studio space in 401 Richmond in from June 2023 to May 2024.
Recipients Announced.
2023 Career Launcher Fund
The Career Launcher Fund returns this year for Undergraduate and Master's students graduating in 2023. Apply for up to $350. This fund supports activities relating to professional practice and skills development as you transition out of school to begin your career. Eligible activities should fall in one of the 4 pillars below:
- Showcasing or distributing your work
- Skills development
- Access to networks
- Supporting your creative business
Recipients Announced.
Format Website Prize for Graduating Students
OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce an opportunity in partnership with Format for one (1) graduating designer and one (1) graduating artist to each receive a prize which consists of: free hosting of their Format website for life ($300/year value), a $500 monetary prize, and one-on-one consultation with Format’s Expert Site Building Team ($500 value). The selected recipients’ portfolios will also receive promotional support with Format.
Recipients Announced.
DesignTO
Programs Assistant
OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce a recruited placement in partnership with DesignTO for the role of Programs Assistant. Working with and reporting to the Artistic Director, the Programs Assistant supports the planning, administration, and execution of DesignTO Festival programming, including exhibitions, events, outreach, and special initiatives.
Recipient Announced.
Gallery TPW
Programs Assistant
OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the return of a recruited placement in partnership with Gallery TPW for the role of Programs Assistant. The Programs Assistant will join the Gallery TPW team to support their programming planning and execution, promotion and communication, elements of fundraising, and general administration.
Recipient Announced.
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
Call for Artists & Makers
Our partnership with Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF), Canada’s leading contemporary outdoor art fair returns this year. The TOAF Career Launcher is for students in the Illustration, Material Art & Design, Photography, Sculpture and Installation and Printmaking/ Publications programs. The selected students will have a free opportunity at the 62nd TOAF to showcase their artworks in-person and online at TOAF.ca.
Recipients Announced.
Artist Project
Call for Artists
Announcing the return of the Artist Project Career Launcher. Students and recent alum are invited to apply for this paid opportunity which provides a professional venue and large public audience for their work at the Queen Elizabeth Building, April 13 - 16, 2023. The Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers will provide a $2,100 production grant towards the realization of this outstanding opportunity.
Recipient Announced.
Partial Gallery
Call for Artists
Partial Gallery and OCAD University are excited to announce the return of our partnership which provides an exceptional career opportunity for OCAD U student artists and recent alumni (2020). 40 selected artists will be given complimentary 1 year Pro Accounts on Partial and inclusion as featured artists within the OCAD University Artist Showcase on Partial’s online platform in order to showcase their works, and administrate artwork sales and rentals.
DEADLINE: We will be accepting applications until all positions are filled.
The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers recognizes the generous support for the Career Launcher program from the Province of Ontario through its Career Ready Fund.
