Organizer Information
The THIRDSPACE Emerging Artist Summer Intensive Program is hosted by OCAD University (Ontario College of Art & Design University), Canada’s largest and oldest institution dedicated to art, design, and media education. Located in downtown Toronto, OCAD U is known for its experimental pedagogies, interdisciplinary research, and strong commitment to equity, diverse cultural narratives, and global artistic exchange. The university collaborates with international artists, scholars, and practitioners, providing platforms for emerging and mid-career creatives to grow professionally. Through THIRDSPACE, OCAD U supports artists whose practices explore themes of identity, hybridity, migration, diaspora, cultural displacement, and the “in-between” spaces of contemporary global life.
Title & Description
THIRDSPACE: Emerging Artist Summer Intensive Program 2026 – OCAD University
This four-week immersive program invites emerging and early-career artists from around the world to Toronto to develop new projects, engage in artistic research, and participate in a structured professional-development experience. The residency explores the concept of “third space” — a creative, hybrid zone shaped by cross-cultural identity, personal memory, place, and lived experience.
Artists participate in workshops, critiques, field trips, studio visits, and mentorship sessions led by OCAD U faculty and industry professionals. The program encourages critical thinking, interdisciplinary production, and reflective artistic growth. It is designed to help artists expand their practice, create new work, and form international networks.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Media Art / Digital Art
- Photography
- Video / Film Art
- Installation / Spatial Practice
- Performance
- Interdisciplinary / Research-based Practice
Eligibility
- Open to international and Canadian artists.
- Focus on emerging artists and early-career practitioners.
- All artistic disciplines relevant to the program’s themes are welcome.
- No age limit specified.
- No academic degree requirement.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Four-week intensive residency at OCAD University in Toronto.
- Workshops, critiques, artist talks, and professional development sessions.
- Mentorship from OCAD U faculty and guest artists.
- Access to university facilities and resources.
- Field trips and cultural site visits in Toronto.
- Final presentation opportunity at the end of the program.
(Note: This is a fee-based program and does not provide grants or living stipends.)
Application Fee
None
Program Fee (Important)
- CAD 4,600 + tax (program only)
- CAD 7,450 + tax (program + accommodation)
- Payment plan available in 3 monthly installments for accepted applicants.
- Meals and transportation not included.
Application Requirements
- Personal Information
- Artist Statement
- Project Proposal (your focus during the residency)
- CV / Resume
- Portfolio or samples of recent work
- Optional: links to video/film work
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Early Bird Deadline: February 2, 2026
- Final Application Deadline: April 2, 2026
- Program Dates: June 1 – June 26, 2026
- Recommended arrival: May 31, 2026
- Recommended departure: June 27, 2026
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Additional Details
- Artists are encouraged to propose projects related to cultural identity, hybridity, migration, or experimental interdisciplinary practice.
- The program is intensive and structured; participants must commit full-time during the residency period.
- Only accepted artists gain access to payment plans and housing options.
- The program is ideal for artists looking to build international networks and gain academic-level mentorship.