Criticism and Curatorial Practice at OCAD U is the first undergrad program in Canada to prepare artists to be critics and curators.
In this program, you will get experience in the studio making art themselves. We believe that people who work in all areas of art and culture benefit from this hands-on experience. You will benefit from studying with artists, curators, writers and designers, and learn how contemporary art and design productions and exhibitions reach the public.
Program Highlights
At the End of this Program...
This exciting four-year program will earn you a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree.
Admissions Requirements
- For Ontario high school students, a minimum overall average of 70%
- Portfolio
- Statement of Intent
- Official transcripts
- See detailed academic requirements here
Jobs You Can Get
Graduates of this program have found careers in:
- Museums, art galleries and artist-run organizations
- Exhibition production
- Arts administration and advocacy
- Art consulting for private collections or auction houses
- Grad programs in art history, museum studies or cultural studies
- Working in arts publications and social media
Internships & Experiential learning
OCAD U offers so much more than co-ops because creative careers take many forms. Our career services help you build a professional community, valuable experience and skills you need for a meaningful career. Get access to:
- Short experiential learning placements from among hundreds of organizations
- Creative in-class projects with real-world industry partners
- Exclusive summer internships
- Gallery exhibitions of your work
- Freelance creative opportunities
- Jobs after graduation
What You'll Do in the Program
All art students, including those going into Criticism and Curatorial Practice, take the First Year Art program. You’ll have lots of choices to explore different classes and build a strong base for your future years. A few courses are mandatory, such as art history, drawing and colour, but the rest of your classes could include:
- Animation
- Art & Code
- Body & Technology
- Curating: Nature & Culture
- Indigenous Sculpture
- Sculpture concepts
- Painting
- Photography
- Wearable Art
In second year, you’ll take courses about museums, galleries and alternative spaces, as well as studio courses based on your interest in art or design. Subjects might include:
- Art history
- Visual culture
- Contemporary art history
- English course of your choice
In third year, you’ll study the role of the curator, and take classes that gives you professional experience, including an experiential learning course that could include the opportunity to study in one of North America’s largest art museums, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), or work in one of OCAD U’s internationally renowned galleries. You’ll also take courses based on your studio interest in art or design. Subjects may include:
- Art writing
- Professional practice
- History and Theory of Art Criticism
- Curatorial studies
In fourth year, you'll be able to do independent study or a guided thesis and take the a course with graduate and undergraduate students that puts you in direct contact with professionals in the field.
You’ll take breadth courses based on your interest in humanities and the social sciences and have a chance to curate your own show in one of OCAD U’s galleries.
You will have the option to showcase your work at GradEx - OCAD U’s Graduate Exhibition, the biggest free art and design exhibition in Toronto with over 40,000 visitors.
Minors
In all undergraduate programs, you can choose a minor to go along with your major. A minor gives you the opportunity to pursue a focused secondary field, helping you expand your practice, skills and knowledge. It can make you stand out to employers, graduate schools, or in grant applications by showing expertise in more than one field.
You don’t need to choose a minor on your application; once you start at OCAD U, you can choose from over 90 electives to build towards one of our 25 focused minors. Learn more about Minor Programs here.