OCAD U CAREER LAUNCHERS

2025 Sankofa Square

Indigenous Student Centre 
Digital Exhibition Call for Artists

OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square) and the Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of the annual 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 April 2025.

Since 2023, the Indigenous Student Centre Digital Exhibition Career Launcher has been presented by the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers with Sankofa Square. Artists are invited to take over two horizontal screens (960 x 480 pixels) and three vertical screens (448 x 608 pixels) on the Square.

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 Sankofa 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.

Sankofa 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.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Work closely with Sankofa Square, and the CEAD to ensure high-resolution and properly sized artwork files are delivered to Sankofa Square by Friday, March 21, 2025.

IMPORTANT: Please note that artworks must comply with:
- YDS Display Policy available here, and
- City of Toronto’s Municipal Code Chapter 694 - 18, E, (4) and (5) regulations available here

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Please provide the following information in one PDF document:

• Contact info (Name, phone, and email)
• Current creative CV
• Website and/or social media handle
• Artist statement/bio (150 words max)
• A brief statement about the work you are submitting (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).


*If submitting as a group, applicants can submit the above materials for each individual group member, or as the group 

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.