Critical Distance Centre for Curators
Call for Writers
Exhibition Essay Commission
Details
OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
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 2025.
Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC), a not-for-profit gallery, publisher, and professional network devoted to the support and advancement of curatorial inquiry in Toronto, Canada, and beyond. With a focus on critically-engaged, collaborative, and cross-disciplinary practices, underrepresented artists and art forms, and community outreach and education in art and exhibition-making, Critical Distance is an open platform for diverse curatorial perspectives, and a forum for the exchange of ideas on curating as a way to connect, engage, and inform people and publics across cultures, disciplines, geographies, and generations.
The CEAD and CDCC are inviting emerging writers to submit their work for consideration. The essay will be published on CDCC’s website to accompany the billboard exhibition. The selected writer will receive editing support from the CDCC team. After the exhibition, the writer will be added to the CDCC’s online database of artists, curators and writers.
To see examples of past writing and publishing projects, visit CDCC’s website.
RESPONSIBILITIES & TIMELINE
The selected emerging writer will:
- Meet with the selected artist for the Critical Distance Public Art Billboard Career Launcher. Recipients will be connected in mid-May, 2025
- Submit a first draft for review by mid-July 2025. Editing guidance will be provided by the CDCC.
- Write an approximately 750-word exhibition essay to accompany the August/September 2025 billboard exhibition
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Please provide the following information in one PDF document:
- Full contact information (Name, phone, and email)
- Current resume or CV
- Website and/or social media
- A brief statement/bio (150 words max)
- Ashort writing sample about a work of contemporary art (300 words).
PARTNER
Critical Distance Centre for Curators
www.criticaldistance.ca
401 Richmond St. W, Suite 122
Toronto, ON, M5V3A8
ELIGIBILITY
- Current OCAD U undergraduate students who have completed 15+ credits and will be graduating in 2025,
- or current OCAD U Master's students graduating in 2025.
*Priority may be given to applicants who have not previously received a Career Launcher opportunity
**If you have already received this opportunity in a previous year, you are not eligible to apply
QUALIFICATIONS
- A strong knowledge of contemporary art and discourse
- Experience writing about public art and an interest in arts writing/publishing would be considered an asset
RATE
$650 Essay fee
DEADLINE
Monday, April 7, 2025, 8:00 AM ET
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTION
Apply via Typeform here: https://ocadu-cead.typeform.com/to/ut8KRzrs
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.
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.
