OCAD U CAREER LAUNCHERS

2026 DesignTO Exhibition 

Stantec Window Gallery 

Call for Artists

OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

DesignTO, Stantec Window Gallery and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce a public window gallery exhibition Career Launcher, providing an exhibition opportunity for one (1) exhibition proposal from current OCAD U students and recent grads to show their work as part of the 2026 DesignTO Festival. Artists and designers are invited to submit proposals for existing work to be shown from December 20, 2025 to March 18, 2026. The selected artist(s) and/or designer(s) will receive a $500 fee from Stantec, plus a $530 fee and $200 production support from the CEAD.

DesignTO is a non-profit arts organization that curates exhibitions, presentations and educational programming to increase the public’s knowledge and appreciation of design and its role in creating a sustainable, just and joyful world. DesignTO is best known for the DesignTO Festival, Canada’s leading and largest annual design festival that celebrates design as a multidisciplinary form of creative thinking and making, with 100+ free exhibitions and events forming Toronto’s design week every January.

The Stantec Window Gallery is located in Toronto’s historic Garment District at the corner of Spadina Avenue and Wellington Street West, in the former home of the McGregor Sock Factory. In an effort to ‘give back’ to the community – economically, environmentally and culturally, a part of the Stantec office retrofit, the original retail entrance to the McGregor Sock Factory was reconceived as a contemporary art gallery to be open and experienced by all: pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, streetcar riders, and skateboarders, free of charge. Installations rotate on a quarterly basis, at solstice and equinox. Past projects can be viewed on Stantec’s Instagram page. 

SITE & PROJECT DETAILS

• Stantec Window Gallery space is unable to accommodate sound projects or multimedia projects that require tv screens or projectors. 
• No noise generating devices are permitted aspart of the installation
• Weight limitations will apply for wall or ceiling mount installations
• Work can’t be adhered to (attached to) the window wall
• Cutting on the gallery window surfaces is not permitted
• Artists/designers are responsible for installing the work and restoring the Gallery to its former state during deinstallation (eg: patching up walls). An install plan will be discussed with the selected artist/s based on their specific proposal. 
• Artists are asked to consider the varying site conditions and changes over 24 hours such as light conditions and glare, lighting requirements, and perspective from the street.
• Click here to see a Gallery plan

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Please provide the following information in one PDF document:

• Full contact information (Name, phone, and email)
• Creative CV 
• Website and/or social media
• A brief statement/bio that contextualizes your practice (150 words max) 
• A title for the exhibition and a written statement describing the project. Include technical details such as how the work would be installed and experienced by viewers as a window gallery. (400 words max)
• 3 - 5 images or video links of the proposed artwork and a corresponding list for the support images including: artist(s) name, title, year, medium, size, duration (for time-based work).  A mock-up concept image showing the proposed work in the window is highly encouraged.
• Artists are welcome to submit work that will be reconfigured for a site-specific display at Stantec Window Gallery as long as the submission will closely resemble the actual finished 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.