2025 Career Launcher Fund
Details
RECIPIENTS
For the 8th 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 Xpace and faculty made selections. This opportunity is made possible by generous donors, including the Gordon Eberts Prize.
QUALIFICATIONS
All Undergraduate and Master's students graduating in 2025.
Alexa Kim
I aim to use the funds to support Gradex
Alexandra Hall
If receiving the Career Launcher Fund for graduating students, the funds will go towards creating a 15-piece wall installation as well as 60-page photobook.
Ali Jivraj
I intend on using provided fuds to help cover the costs of showcasing and distributing my work in preparation of Gradex 2025.
Allison Wallace
I intend to use the fund towards the printing for my thesis display for gradex 2025
Amy Noseworthy
I’m applying for funds to cover the printing of portfolio zines and business cards that showcase my work as a cartoonist, to distribute at conferences and publishing industry events.
Ana Sofia Moniz Curado E Silva
To cover printing, presentation and promotion of GradEx Exhibition
Anna Petrosyan
I intend to use the money to apply to at least 3 galleries (40 CAD per submission), covering the expense of prints (50CAD), and partially (50 CAD) covering the online courses I take at the NYAA.
Anna Tran
To support exhibition display costs for GradEx; materials, printing, equipment expenses.
Annette Barilo
Format subscription and order materials for GradEx shop.
Annika Lui
I will use the fund to help pay for GradEx expenses with the display and merchandise in the GradEx Print Shop.
Antonia Chinenye Aginam
I intend to use the support provided by the Career Launcher Fund to help budget for promotional materials and accessory expenses for GradEx, as well as future showcase and exhibition opportunities that will allow my work to reach broader audiences and make connections in my industry.
Arpit Nigam
A small print run of This Project is Incomplete photo books will offer a professional showcase of my art on mental health and identity, helping to build connections with galleries, curators, and potential buyers in the art world.
Brianna Petrut
If awarded, I will use the fund to produce promotional materials for GradEx and to support my job search, including a small print run of my portfolio in newspaper format.
Brunna Fanticelli de Moura
I intend to use the fund to cover my GradEx printing, promotion, and display.
Bryan Tadipa
I will use the provided funds to cover a portion of UofT's School of Continuing studies Introduction to UX course.
Carine Nimry
I intend to use the fund to purchase essential materials and software that will allow me to continue prototyping and testing my wearable assistive device after graduation, as I work toward launching it as a socially-driven design venture.
Charlize Ga
I will use this fund to cover costs for my Grad Ex physical display and any promotional material I require to promote my thesis film.
Charlotte Jackson
I intend to use the fund to maintain my format subscription and keep my website online.
Cherie Leung
I would use the fund to pay for business cards to promote myself at GradEx and to support professional development by enrolling in a local weaving course.
Elijah Harrison
Access to skills development and networks through membership to professional bookbinding organizations.
Emily Chu
I intend to use the fund for showcasing and distributing my work at GradEx.
Emma Mauceri
Funding to help acquire a paper cutter, at home screen printing supplies and cover promotion for GradEx 110
Eric Pon
basic work production expenses, and open call submission fees.
Grace Martin-Chang
I intend to use the Career Launcher Fund to complete my second novel in a structured environment, and build connections within the publishing industry.
Haley Meyer
Building, preparing, and framing canvases to exhibit at the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair this summer, as well as cost of framing intaglio prints for GradEx.
Haru Ling Yee Tai
I intend to use the fund to promote myself and my work at GRADEx
Immanuel Wood Lynes-Ford
If I receive money from the career launcher fund I plan to use the money to buy photo paper and mounting materials.
Isabella Nicastro
I will be able to create a professional-grade GradEx display, continue to advertise and market my art practice online, and develop my career professionally by attending major art events and applying to residencies to further develop both my artistic skills and my professional network.
James Rose Nicolosi-Cao
I would use the Career Fund to continue usage of Photoshop & Lightroom.
Jane Qin
Adobe Certified Professional Exams in Illustrator and Photoshop to enhance my credentials as a graphic designer.
Jason Fung
I intend to use the Career Launcher Fund to purchase tabling equipment and cover artist market fees, enabling me to showcase my work at events like OCAD Artist Alley and the Muse Work Shop market, GradEx, and build a sustainable art business.
Jing Yi (Yani) Feng
The CL Fund would be allocated to portfolio website hosting costs and printing costs for my GradEX thesis display.
Justine Magbitang
I intend to use this fund towards paying for a one-year subscription to Coursera Plus to take professional certificate courses.
Kelly Chen
To cover the entry fee for student awards and support printing costs for GradEx 110.
Laaya Tabei
Fund the marketing, printing and framing of work for my GradEx exhibition in May.
Lilian Li
To support in GradEx display costs and software subscription.
Michelle Lee
Fund GradEx printing, promotion, and material costs
MinSeo Whee
To cover exhibition expenses and career-related fees for residency application and professional development.
Miranda Pinzon Castaneda
I intend to cover the expenses of GradEx, this includes prints for display, business cards, as well as materials needed for the display such as frames, fabric and smaller shelves for displaying the business cards themselves.
Odelia Lim
Produce high quality prints of my work and obtain the materials needed to display these prints as well as produce equally high quality business cards to give out at GradEx
Sahar Niekou
To support GradEx expenses, buying material for my thesis and professional development through IDSA.
Seeun Chu
I plan to use the fund to subscribe to a yearly plan on Schoolism to learn and practice artistic skills through Online courses.
Shamika Pierre
I am seeking this funding to prepare for GradEX and cover submission fees.
Sophie Sawicka
I intend to use the Career Launcher Fund to cover gallery rental fees, purchase essential materials like canvas, stretcher wood, and oil paints, and support my transition into a professional artistic career by showcasing my work and continuing my practice.
Tania O. Gardner-Rodriguez
To support the expenses of printing and displaying for GradEx, including my thesis works, prints and business cards.
Tara Haghighi
I would like to use this fund for my GradEx display, competition submission, business cards and merchandise for the print shop.
Vivian Nguyen
To reduce the financial burden of essential software subscriptions, enabling me to focus on creating high-quality 2D and 3D animation projects and launching my career after graduation.
Weiam Najib Al-Jarshi
I will use the funds to improve my credentials and make my resume more competitive for future job prospects.
Yujin Wang
I will use this fund to submit a documentary I am working on to film festivals.
Zed Sheikh
I intend to use the fund to professionally print and support the cost of business cards and prints for the GradEx Photography Print Sale to help establish my post-graduation creative practice.
BRAMPTON ARTS ORGANIZATION PRIZE RECIPIENTS
New for 2025 is the Brampton Arts Organization Prize for applicants with a connection to Brampton. The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers would like to acknowledge the Brampton Arts Organization for their generous support of these six highlighted 2025 Career Launcher Fund recipients.
Jamilah Lambert-Jackson
Funds to support GradEx
Juliana Garcia
Funds to support Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions and as well portfolio website costs.
Kaaranjah Puvanesan
Funds to support Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) conference
Sara Seif
Funds to cover shipping costs, ensuring professional packaging and the sustainability of my art business.
Shania Sukhai
I plan to use the funds for GradEx promotion expenses, applying to artist calls and furthering my education.
Teo Degli Angeli
To cover GradEdx 110 costs of displaying my video game, printing promotional material, and hosting my website.
OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to announce the 9th 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
New for 2025 is the Brampton Arts Organization Prize which will award a total of $2,000 to one or more applicants with a connection to Brampton.
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.
A representative jury will select Fund recipients once all submissions have been reviewed.
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. In your application, indicate the course you wish to take with the webpage link. - 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)
- + 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 (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019)
ELIGIBILITY
All Undergraduate and Master's students graduating in 2025.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Please provide the following information in one PDF document:
- 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.
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.
RATE
$100 - $350
DEADLINE
Monday, April 7, 2025, 8:00 AM ET
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTION
Apply via Typeform here: https://ocadu-cead.typeform.com/to/ZxQeiTRB
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.
