OCAD University is  Canada’s biggest art and design university, located in downtown Toronto ‘The Meeting Place’. Toronto is home to a growing community of Indigenous movers and shakers with deep-rooted histories in collaboration.  OCAD University is situated on the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. These are the ancestral territories of many nations, including the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat who are the original owners and custodians of the land. Toronto is also home to many urban First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

In the spirit of reciprocity, care and community, OCAD U is committed to maintaining and growing our relationships with Indigenous communities and peoples. We are here to provide programming and support for doers and makers interested in art and design. We welcome your collaborations by: 

  • Co-creating workshops with us
  • Sharing supports and resources for Indigenous learners
  • Inviting portfolio mentors and admissions specialists for information sessions and more 

The Indigenous OCAD U community thrives on a network of like-minded artists, activists, elders, faculty and staff. Indigenous OCAD U influences and reaches far outside of campus from high schools and community organizations, to aunties and grandmothers. Our community is open and welcoming - reach out, tune in and connect with us! 

Explore our Community Event Calendar

Connect with us

For Students

Mailing List

Want to learn more about our programs, application process, events, portfolio building opportunities, dates and deadlines coming up? Join our mailing list to learn more.

Link to For Students
For Educators and Communities

Indigenous Communities Outreach and Mailing List

Get information on:

  • Application updates and admission requirements
  • Portfolio support and classroom resources for art and design
  • Professional development opportunities and information sessions for guidance counsellors and teachers
Link to For Educators and Communities
For Educators and Communities

Virtual Community Visit Request Form

The Admissions & Recruitment team is here to support our education partners and are always developing new ways help you prepare your students for post-secondary opportunities in art and design. Request a virtual appointment/presentation with our recruitment team.

Link to For Educators and Communities
Connect with the Indigenous Student Centre

The Indigenous Student Centre offers a welcoming environment with a wide range of specialized services to support academic, cultural, social and emotional well-being of Indigenous students at OCAD University.

More Ways to Connect

Indigenous students find their home-away-from-home at our Indigenous Students Centre (ISC), which offers events, advising, counselling and resources that engage and build community. The centre provides a welcoming and learning environment featuring a wide range of specialized services to support the academic, cultural, social and emotional well-being of Indigenous students at OCAD U.

The Indigenous Visual Culture (INVC) program honours the creative traditions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit art and design practices. In this 4 year Bachelor of Fine Art program you will deepen your understanding of the visual, cultural, social, and political histories of Indigenous peoples.

Links/Resources

Housing Resources

OCAD University works with several housing service providers, including independent residence-style student residences, and co-op options. For additional opportunities to connect with potential OCAD U roommates, and tips, rights, responsibilities and resources to help you with your housing search within the Greater Toronto, visit the Housing Info page!

Are you moving to Toronto or living outside of the city? If you would like assistance with locating a housing coordinator or resources in your area, please contact our Student Success Coordinator Reagan Kennedy rkennedy [at] ocadu.carel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" to set up a virtual appointment.

 

Indigenous Student Housing Resources
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Learn how to apply
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Serafina Shirt
Coordinator, Indigenous Admissions & Recruitment Support

serafinas [at] ocadu.ca

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