How it Works: Art & Design’s Place and Vision in Toronto

AUGUST 2015   |   TORONTO   |   IMPACT EXCHANGE

These two guided-tours introduced students to a variety of organizations and entities who are thinking critically about space, mission and vision in relationship to their operations and audiences. The first focused on demystifying the changing cultural landscape and dynamic local history of the West end of Toronto where many prominent galleries are establishing new headquarters. The second tour took students to co-working, collective and incubator spaces located centrally in the city. The organizations there are asking how art and design might challenge ingrained thinking, embrace entrepreneurship and social innovation and help to change the world.

401 Richmond Career Launcher

JULY 2015   |   TORONTO   |   IMPACT EXCHANGE

This opportunity creates a rent-free studio space for three graduating students of OCAD U’s Illustration program within the historic 401 Richmond Street building. With networking and social engagement in mind, our students are making important inroads in relationship to their emerging practices and connecting with other diverse practitioners in a community hub.

Artscape Youngplace Career Launcher

JUNE 2015   |   TORONTO   |   IMPACT EXCHANGE

The work that students in the Photography program undertake at OCAD University is intended to challenge what and how we see. This opportunity offered students the chance to participate in an exhibition in the Hallway Galleries of Artscape Youngplace, one of Toronto’s most vibrant and culturally diverse arts hubs. As part of the Career Launcher, the Curatorial Advisory Committee at Artscape Youngplace selected an individual exhibiting artist for a studio residency leading to a solo show of new work in November 2015.

Entertainment District BIA Career Launcher

MAY - JUNE 2015   |   TORONTO   |   IMPACT EXCHANGE

This opportunity offered graduating Illustration students from OCAD University the opportunity to work with the Toronto Entertainment District BIA on the John Street Art Project as part of the John Street Pedestrian Initiative (JSPI) in 2015. Students experienced the power of art as a means to connect people of all walks of life with the history and cultural significance of place. Using the theme “Then and Now” as a starting point, five recent graduates were selected to work on a series of public art illustrations and a large scale mural for two sites in downtown Toronto.

The Cultural Community Expo: Where You Fit

FEBRUARY 2015   |   TORONTO   |   IMPACT EXCHANGE

In an attempt to address the need to connect students and alumni with the organizations that comprise the rich and diverse fabric of Toronto’s cultural and creative landscape, OCAD University partnered with Artscape Youngplace as an activated site in which to present Where You Fit. This open-house event brought in 150 students to connect with 25 cultural and charitable organizations in the city. The goal of Where You Fit was to help educate and empower students to volunteer, participate and engage with different communities of practice.

Hang at Home: A Professional Dinner Series

PILOT YEAR NOVEMBER 2014 - APRIL 2015   |   OCADU   |   IMPACT EXCHANGE

Hang at Home is a Learning Lab in the guise of a dinner series, developed in partnership between GalGalz and OCAD U’s Center for Emerging Artists and Designers. Hang at Home brings OCAD U students together with creative community leaders over meals served in private living spaces that double as either exhibition venues or studios. The Lab is meant demystify the ways in which the personal and professional overlap in the creative world. The guest list, intimate setting and models for inspired, integrated creative living combine to give participating students an enlightening experience. As a commuter-campus, where space is at a deficit, Hang at Home is critically novel. 

Photo credits: Christopher Bennell