History, Affiliations and Rankings
OCAD University, founded in 1876, is dedicated to Art and Design education, practice, and research, as well as knowledge and creativity in a variety of areas. It is a public university in Toronto, Ontario. The Ontario School of Art was its previous name. In 1912, it was renamed the Ontario College of Art, and it became the first Canadian institution committed to training professional artists in both commercial and fine arts. OCAD University is affiliated with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD), Universities Canada (UCan), CBIE, the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) and the International Association of Universities (IAU). OCAD University stands among the 101st and 150th Best Art and Design universities in the world according to QS World University Rankings 2022.
Infrastructure, Campuses and Courses
The OCAD University campus is a commuter campus and is located on Richmond Street West in Toronto, Canada. The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, City of Toronto Recreation Centre, and Toronto Governor Grosvenor YMCA Centre are all closer to the campus. A north campus and a south campus make up the current OCAD campus. The Main Building and Sharp Centre for Design, as well as Butterfield Park, the Annex Building, the Rosalie Sharp Pavilion, the Student Center, the Inclusive Design Institute, and the Continuing Education Centre, are all located on the north campus. The south campus includes buildings on Richmond Street West, as well as the proposed Mirvish-Gehry development on King Street further south. Through the Faculties of Art, Design, Liberal Arts, and Sciences, OCAD University offers 18 undergraduate and seven graduate degree programmes, as well as serving as a business incubator, and executive training studio, and is home to important research projects.
Accomplishments and Alumni
The international art and design leaders who lead, teach, and study at OCAD University shape the university. There history begins with renowned painter George A. Reid, who designed the original Grange Park site, as well as Arthur Lismer and J.E.H. MacDonald of The Group of Seven, who served as vice-principal and principle, respectively, of the institution. Moreover, the OCAD University has produced hundreds of notable alumnus till now including Madeline Ashby — science fiction writer, Myfanwy Ashmore – conceptual artist, Jack Bush – abstract expressionist painter, member of the Painters Eleven, Meryn Cadell – writer, performance artist, Franklin Carmichael – painter, member of the Group of Seven, Barbara Astman – artist, photographer, Shary Boyle – sculpture, painting, drawing, performance, Jubalrown – video artist, George Bures Miller – installation artist, Yank Azman – actor, Rebecca Belmore – artist and David Blackwood – artist.
Student Diversity and Visiting Companies
OCAD University has an undergraduate student enrollment of 4,400+ and nearly 300+ graduate students, out of which 21% are international students. For every 100 students at OCAD, 27 are females and 73 are males. There are special-interest student clubs allow students to communicate with one another, encourage faith and culture, and foster a diverse environment while fostering self-development, social responsibility, and environmental awareness. Part-time jobs are available on campus through the Campus Employment Program for International Students (CEPIS). The placement is open to students who are enrolled full-time in a degree program and have a valid study permit. Students can also join the alumni organisation in order to participate in career fairs and workshops. RBC, ScotiaBank, Shopify, City of Toronto and the Directors Guild of Canada - Ontario are some of the corporate and government organizations that recruit graduates from OCAD University.
