OCAD U CAREER LAUNCHERS

2023 Yonge-Dundas Square
Indigenous Student Centre
Digital Exhibition Call for Artists

OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

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 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.

Storytelling has been a way for Indigenous people to share knowledge from generation to generation. Artists are encouraged to select existing artworks that explore the theme of Indigenous storytelling. This can reflect the artist’s lived experiences, as well as their relationship to collective storytelling within family, nation, and community. Artists are also welcome to draw inspiration from several events in November including Inuit Day, Indigenous Veterans Day, Treaties Recognition Week, Métis Week, Louis Riel Day and Native American Heritage Month. Artists are invited to take over two horizontal screens (960 x 480 pixels) and three vertical screens (448 x 608 pixels) on the Square.

Applicants can virtually tour the square here
Location of 5 screens in Square can be viewed here

This opportunity is for artists who identify as Indigenous, Inuit, First Nations or Métis. The successful applicants will each receive an exhibition fee ($500) provided by the CEAD.

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

This Career Launcher is presented by the OCAD U Indigenous Student Centre and RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers with Yonge-Dundas Square.

The OCAD U Indigenous Student Centre offers a welcoming environment with a wide range of specialized services to support academic, cultural, social and emotional well-being of Indigenous students at OCAD University.
Learn more: ocadu.ca/services/indigenous-students

The Career Launchers program by OCAD U's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (RBC CEAD) supports the career development of emerging artists and professionals by connecting them with real world opportunities to exhibit and share their art. Yonge-Dundas Square is a unique focal point of the downtown Toronto community. The Square is designated for use as a public open space and as an event venue that can accommodate events of various sizes.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Contact info (Name, phone, and email)
• Current creative CV
• Website and/or social media handle  
• Artist statement/bio (150 words max) 
• A brief statement reflecting on your work and the theme of storytelling (150 words) 
• 5 - 8 images or video links (Vimeo, Youtube, etc) of existing work to be submitted for consideration. 
• A corresponding list for the support images including: artist name, title, year, medium, size, and duration (for time-based work). 
• Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received a Career Launcher opportunity. 
  

TIMELINE

• Week of October 9, 2023 – Artists are selected and notified 
• Mon, October 18, 2023 - High-resolution artwork files scaled for screen dimensions due. 
• November, 2023 - Digital exhibition

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.