2023 Career Launcher Fund
Details
For the 7th annual Career Launcher Fund for graduating students, emerging artists and designers were invited to apply for a funding opportunity relating to career supports and skills building as they transition out of school. Proposed expenses can anything that would be important to advancing an individual’s career success and activities in one of the four funding pillars:
- Showcasing or distributing your work
- Skills development
- Access to networks
- Supporting your creative business
A jury consisting of representatives from the OCAD Student Union and faculty made selections. In 2023, the Fund awarded 50 applications from individuals and collectives of OCAD University from a selection of 55 applicants.
This opportunity is made possible by generous donors, including the Gordon Eberts Prize.
QUALIFICATIONS
All Undergraduate and Master's students graduating in 2023.
RECIPIENTS
Aimee (Jiayi) Chen
To support printing and to submit thesis project to competitions such as the UX Design Awards and the Red Dot Award.
Alina Danilyuk
To support exhibition display costs for GradEx.
Alina Hou
To support printing business cards, website hosting and submission fees for contests.
Andrew Hamilton
To complete one or more Google Certificates on Coursera.
Aydan Hasanova
To support the cost of Toon Boom Harmony, an industry standard animation software, to work on animation demo reel for job applications.
Betty Shao
To cover the expenses for Grad Ex display and products for the print shop.
Boyu Jiang
To support advising costs such as website and printing.
Cecily Ou
To support developing a digital and print publication to accompany a year-long curatorial residency.
Christina Chen
To purchase font design software and support website hosting.
Christina van Putten
To support the final presentation and documentation of their thesis at GradEx.
Cindy Lee
To support printing and GradEx display costs.
Diana Kapitonova
To apply for awards such as LifeFramer and to take the Google UX course.
Duy Nguyen
To print a booklet as part of GradEx thesis showcase.
Ella Claire Taylor
To support exhibition display costs such as materials, facility and equipment expenses.
Ella Verner
To support marketing and professional prints for GradEx.
Emily Withers
To purchase a Artscape Daniels Launchpad membership to use their wood studio.
Fiona McLean
To support exhibition costs related to GradEx.
Gabrielle Lynn Schwartz
To support GradEx, cover student award application fees, and create promotional materials.
Hannah Frandsen
To support GradEX display materials, produce business cards, and purchase a custom domain for one year.
Helio Eudoro Rodriguez Junior
To apply for a booth at Spring Barns Art Market
Holly Bygrove
To print business cards for GradEx and apply to film festivals.
Claudia (Hui Yun) Cui
To pay for website and production fees related to GradEx.
Hyunsun Park
To support GradEx preparation; framing, printing, and business cards.
Ivy Chen
To support printing, tabling and website costs.
Jen Wright
To attend a pottery crash course at ClayArt.
Jenny Tchen
To grow their mould-making skills.
Kayla Descoteaux Ellemberg
To support costs with website domain and hosting, and printing materials for GradEx.
Kiki Hamazaki
To support printing their graphic novel to distribute at GradEx.
Laura Zeng
To assist with displaying, promoting, and distributing my work at GradEx and online.
Lei Zhang
To support material fees for showcasing works.
Lisa Cavion
To support membership to Artscape Daniels Launchpad.
Liz Liu
To support GradEx printing costs
Luz America Paczka Giorgi
To join professional networks such as the Service Design Network, take courses in the field of health design and to disseminate thesis work through printing and entering awards.
Madelaine Henriques
To cover expenses related to the exhibition of their thesis project during GradEx.
Madeline Yee
To assist with costs associated with GradEx display and to apply to competitions.
Marisa Kelly
To support website hosting, printing and canvasing fees associated with their portfolio project.
Nidhi Treesa Paul
To take course for CPACC certification and subscribe to Interaction Design Foundation for UX courses
Raquel Lopes
To print business cards for GradEx and prints.
Rashvena Khosa
To purchase a CARFAC membership, professional photo documentation and materials for an upcoming show.
Tir Tabandeh
To purchase Storyboard Pro, membership to Women in Animation (WIA) and Schoolism.
Samira Nassiri
To take UX/UI courses at the University of Toronto Bootcamp.
Scott Lalonde
To print business cards, purchase an SD card and membership to International Documentary Association and Gallery 44.
Solha Park
To print posters for thesis work and for frames.
Sophia Chavez
To create sculptural dolls through mould making for applying to calls such as Xpace.
Theodore Rosenfield
To properly document thesis work.
Tina (Huating) Yan
To fund GradEx expenses (display, products for shop) and application costs for exhibitions and conventions.
Trinity Leon
To purchase supplies for GradEx and development for creative business.
Vinny Patel
To take the Google UX Design course and produce prints for GradEx.
Vladimir Kanic
To print catalogues of artwork related to exhibition at Artist Project TO in April 2023.
Yan Wu
To support the attendance and exhibition fees to the One of a Kind Show.
The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to announce the 7th 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. Proposed expenses can anything that would be important to advancing an individual’s career success and activities in one of the four funding pillars:
- Showcasing or distributing your work
- Skills development
- Access to networks
- Supporting your creative business
Proposed expenses must be specific, create a compelling case for support, and should be something important to advancing your career success. Special attention will be given to proposals that take into consideration the numerous privileges and access that end once you leave school, such as facilities, community, knowledge and skill acquisition, and mentorship.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee consisting of representatives from OCAD U faculties and student representatives.
This opportunity is made possible by generous donors, including the Gordon Eberts Prize.
SUGGESTED ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
- Professional development and skill-building (Courses, Classes and Workshop Fees; Apprenticeship).
*In partnership with the OCAD U RBC CEAD and the Career Launcher Fund, OCAD U School of Continuing Studies will be offering discount course offerings for the total cost of $350 with no tax, to match the maximum fund amount available for each selected applicant. Email Zev Farber (zfarber@ocadu.ca) and Shellie Zhang (szhang@ocadu.ca) with the subject line "CL Fund School of Continuing Studies" to inquire about this pathway. - Short-term rental fees (Studios and Facilities)
- Production expenses (Software, Professional Services)
- Membership or subscription fees (Associations and Organizations; Software; Facility Access and Equipment Loans)
- Submission fees (Awards, Residencies, Exhibitions and Publications)
- Ticket and attendance fees (Conferences, fairs, trade shows)
- Exhibition assistance (Production, Promotion, Documentation)
- Production, promotion, documentation
- + much more
INELIGIBLE EXPENSES
- Travel costs
- Event and hospitality expenses (food, catering, drinks, etc)
- Accommodation or long-term studio rental costs
- Substantial equipment or tool purchases (rentals and purchasing minor tools are permitted)
- Proposals covered by other OCAD U funding programs like the OCAD U Commitment, emergency loans, Student Union Project Grants, etc.
For more information, please visit the archive section of our Career Launcher website to see past recipients and examples of successful applications (2022, 2021, 2020, 2019)
APPLICATION SUPPORT
The OCAD U RBC CEAD is committed to promoting substantive equality for equity-seeking groups that are under-represented in the creative sector. We encourage applications from first-time applicants to the program and graduates of equity-seeking communities including racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities / expressions. Applicants are welcome to advise the CEAD of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process.
Applicants who need assistance with their submissions are invited to connect with the RBC CEAD for Advising support. Click here to learn more about how to book an advising appointment.
QUALIFICATIONS
All Undergraduate and Master's students graduating in 2023
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Current CV or Resume
- A one sentence summary of how you intend to use the fund
- Written proposal (max. 500 words) outlining the proposed use of funds and the significance of the opportunity to your practice and or/ career.
- Include an itemized budget proposal outlining eligible expenses. Proposed expenses must be specific and could be up to $350 (minimum requested amount - $100). Be specific. Round to the nearest dollar.
- Portfolio link or PDF sample highlighting 3-5 works demonstrating the nature of your creative practice. Include a list of the works you are highlighting.
DEADLINE
Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 8:00 AM ET
FAQ
- Applicants are welcome to use this downloadable budget template for their application.
- The Career Launcher Fund does not support reimbursements for items already purchased.
- Successful applicants will not be asked to submit receipts.
- Applicants must make sure that currencies are proposed expenses are in CAD before submitting to jury. Please include cost in original currency and converted to CAD.
SUBMISSION LINK
Apply via Typeform here:
https://bit.ly/CLFund2023Apply
ACCESSIBILITY
Applicants who have concerns about meeting a Career Launcher application deadline are invited to connect with the CEAD in order to discuss possible alternatives. We encourage all who might require assistance with the application process to reach out to determine available support. Outreach of this nature should be undertaken at least one week prior to the published application deadline.
