2025 Sankofa Square
Black History Month Digital Exhibition
Call for Artists
Details
Recipients
Brandon Baghaee has a BFA from OCAD University and is an artist living and working in the GTA. He has exhibited work The Drake Hotel, Scotiabank Arena, Sports and the Arts, the City of Toronto, STEPS Public Art, and the Richmond Hill Public Library. In his practice, he explores cultural history and memory, spirituality, cultural politics, identity, sport, and nostalgia in fantastical, colour-induced paintings that include the self or multiple selves. He references everyday experiences, memories and speculative ideas to recall while imagining something new. He has recently completed illustrating a children’s book exploring childhood and sports.
Website: https://www.brandonbaghaee.com
IG: @brandonbaghaee
Danielle Clark is a Toronto-based designer, animator, and artist, drawing inspiration from the energy and intrigue of everyday life. A recent graduate of OCAD University, Danielle is passionate about crafting captivating experiences that connect deeply with audiences. She combines design, motion, and artistic expression to tell compelling and meaningful stories.
Website: designwithdanielle.format.com
IG: @dan.elle_des.gn
Ghislan Sutherland-Timm (they/she) is a queer multidisciplinary craftsman and media researcher based in Tkaronto/Toronto. Their creative practice is influenced by the path of reconnection to their Yurumein/Afro-Vincentian heritage and Carib roots. In creating what they describe as "incomplete complete" works, Sutherland-Timm frequently utilizes collage techniques across a diverse range of mediums to shape autobiographical-fictional narratives, often centered on ambiguous beings. Through this intersection, Sutherland-Timm navigates unraveling the mythologies and romanticization of home and homecoming.
Website: https://www.ghislan.com
Instagram: @orphicinema
Jenelle Smith is a first generation Jamaican-Canadian visual artist based in Toronto, Ontario. Jenelle is an emerging artist delving into the concepts of the mind through her dreamlike work. Working in digital and analog image-based media, Jenelle aims to speak upon thought provoking topics such as, mental health, technology, race, and family.
Jenelle is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Photography at OCAD University. Jenelle seeks to challenge conventional perceptions and ignite conversation through her work.
Website: https://jenellesmith.format.com
IG: @tearydreamss
Teniola Tejumola also known as Tanto is a multidisciplinary artist who is skilled in traditional mediums such as ink, acrylic, oil paints and digital painting He was born in Lagos, Nigeria and came to Canada in 2014. He has an advanced diploma in Visual and Creative arts from Sheridan College and is currently studying Drawing and painting at OCAD.
His work is deeply rooted in his Nigerian Yoruba heritage, drawing inspiration from the rich traditions, stories, and symbolism that have shaped his identity. His practice involves both traditional techniques and digital methods. By infusing his work with elements of folklore through some contemporary elements he is able to honor his tradition in his own way that bridges the older generation with the new.
IG: @Tanto_Tej
OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square) and the Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of the annual Black History Month Digital Exhibition Career Launcher providing an exhibition opportunity for artists from the OCAD U community to exhibit their work on the square’s digital screens. Artists are invited to submit artworks to be displayed across five (5) digital screens for the duration of Black History Month in February 2025.
Since 2021, the Black History Month Digital Exhibition Career Launcher has been presented by the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers with Sankofa Square. 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. 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 Black. The successful applicants will each receive an exhibition fee ($500) provided by the CEAD.
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 Thursday, January 23, 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
PARTNER
Sankofa Square
1 Dundas St E
Toronto, ON M5B 2R8
QUALIFICATIONS
- Current OCAD U undergraduate and graduate level students and recent grads (class of 2024 or 2023)
- Selected artists must have a screen-based practice including but not limited to static, moving images, and multi-channel.
*Collectives and groups are welcome to apply as long as the group consists only of eligible OCAD U students/grads.
**If you have already received this opportunity in a previous year, you are not eligible to apply
***Priority may be given to applicants who have not previously received a Career Launcher opportunity.
TIMELINE
Artists selected and notified by: December 20, 2024
Final Artwork due: January 23, 2025
Exhibition Duration: February 1-28, 2025
RATE
- $500 Artist fee
DEADLINE
Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 8:00 AM ET
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTION
Apply via Typeform here: https://ocadu-cead.typeform.com/to/TYcl4Iyu
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.
