Hosted at OCAD University

Toronto National Portfolio Day

Get portfolio feedback from top art & design institutions

An education in art and design is a special learning experience. National Portfolio Day is a unique opportunity for emerging artists and designers to share their work with representatives from accredited art and design schools. Students bring their portfolio—finished pieces, works-in-progress or sketchbooks—and receive direct, constructive feedback from faculty or admissions professionals.

Thank you for joining us for the 2026 Toronto NPD hosted at OCAD U! Missed it or interested in more portfolio review opportunities? We offer portfolio-building and review opportunities year-round.

Sign up to learn more.

About National Portfolio Days: This undergraduate event is designed for high school students considering post-secondary art or design studies, college students looking to transfer and anyone preparing to apply to a creative program. Attendees can meet with multiple schools in one place, ask questions about programs, facilities and admissions requirements, and gain insight into how to strengthen their portfolio for success.

National Portfolio Days are focused on learning and exploration, rather than serving as an admissions interview. Participants leave with personalized guidance, a clearer sense of the expectations at different schools and inspiration to grow their practice and refine their application materials. It’s also a chance to connect with a creative community and start imagining the possibilities of a future in art and design.

Bring examples of your best and most recent work, works in progress, sketchbooks, etc. Bring original artwork if possible but feel free to show your work on a laptop or tablet. Keep your presentation simple; the work itself is what is important.

2026 Participating Institutions:
Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts)
Alfred University School of the Arts
ArtCentre College of Design
College for Creative Studies (CCS)
Concordia University, Faculty of Fine Arts
Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
Ferris State University's Kendall College of Art and Design
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
New York School of Interior Design
NSCAD University
OCAD University
Paris College of Art
Parsons School of Design/Parsons Paris at The New School
RIT - Rochester Institute of Technology College of Art and Design
School of Art, University of Manitoba
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
Sheridan College
The Cooper Union
University of Redlands, Los Angeles/Woodbury University School of Media, Culture, and Design
University of the Arts London
York University

This is an educational event—no admissions decisions or scholarship awards will be offered.

Request Info: Portfolio Building

OTHER NPD DATES

Portfolio Resources & Tips

Looking for inspiration and tips to start your portfolio? Looking to show off your portfolio now and get feedback? Explore our supports and portfolio review opportunities

Workshops & Summer Programs

OCAD University offers a variety of creative programming and workshops throughout the year. Keep reading to learn more about each creative opportunity!

Creative Prompts and Tips

Follow us on Instagram @ocaduadmissions to participate in our #OCADpromptsU challenge! Work from our creative prompts and share with us for a chance to be featured!

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Portfolio Building Events

We can help you build a strong portfolio through online sessions, hands-on workshops with OCAD U instructors and more! Register here to sign up for an event.

AICAD Portfolio Review Portal

Get feedback on your work! Submit 5 complete or in-progress pieces to see if you’re on the right track for your program! (Make sure to select OCAD University as a reviewer.)

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National Portfolio Day

Connect live with reps from OCAD U and North America’s top art & design schools to receive feedback on your portfolio. Discuss where you can take your art or design practice.

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