OCAD U CAREER LAUNCHERS

2025 Art Toronto Intern,

Public Spaces Designer

OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce a recruited placement in partnership with Art Toronto for the role of Intern, Public Spaces Designer. Art Toronto is Canada’s Art Fair. Since 2000, Art Toronto has been dedicated to supporting art in Canada, connecting audiences to local, national and international galleries, and promoting diverse creative practices.

Working with and reporting to the Art Toronto, the Public Spaces Designer Intern will provide interior design services and project management for the fair’s public and private activation spaces onsite at the 2025 Art Toronto fair (October 23-26, 2025) located at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s North Building, 255 Front St. West, Toronto, ON).

With a keen interest in interior design this role requires effective ideation, communication, collaboration, and execution. Valuable attributes include strong communication and collaboration skills, attention to detail, self-motivation, and a willingness to learn. This is a part-time position, requiring an average of 12 hours of work per week, with reduced hours in April – May 2025 and increased hours during October 2025.

SCOPE OF WORK

1. Design(s) to be agreed upon by Art Toronto for the following spaces, utilizing pre-existing 2D floorplan templates:
     • West Event Space
     • East Event Space
     • Bistro
     • Platform
     • VIP Lounge
     • Public Lounge

Design timeline:
o Kick-off meeting to outline project and provide design direction and floorplan templates: early April
o Initial design presentation: mid May
o Presentation of updated designs (based on feedback): mid June
o Final design presentation: early July
o Partner/sponsor approvals submitted by Art Toronto: July 15 (due July 30)
o All copy and details for signage required: August 22
o Onsite execution: October 20-26
     • Load in: October 20-22
     •  Show: October 23 - 26
     •  Load out: October 26-27

2. Intern will be responsible for all design and execution of the design including the following:
• Adherence to templates and floorplans provided by Art Toronto
• Adherence to the production work back schedule provided by Art Toronto
• Adherence to the budget provided by Art Toronto
• Adherence to Informa’s sustainability objectives which include the eradication of disposable booth structures at our events. All exhibit materials must be reusable or recycled (no raw and/or single use materials permitted)
• Adherence to Art Toronto’s Event Code of Conduct
• Obtaining estimates, purchasing, sourcing, securing furniture, décor and floral items for all activation spaces using Art Toronto’s owned inventory and/or Art Toronto’s preferred vendors
• Managing the installation and deinstallation onsite including coordinating with vendors onsite
• Recruiting and coordinating a team of 10-12 volunteers to assist with on-site setup and tear down (note that volunteers will be provided with a weekend pass to the 2025 fair by Art Toronto as compensation)

3. Agree to comply with all of our health and safety protocols at the event.

4. Agree to comply with Informa’s Third Party Code of Conduct  

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.