OCAD University facts for kids
Logo of OCAD University
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Other name
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OCAD University |
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Former names
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Ontario School of Art (1876–86) Toronto Art School (1886–90) Central Ontario School of Art and Industrial Design (1890–1912) Ontario College of Art (1912–96) Ontario College of Art & Design (1996–2010) |
| Type | Public university |
| Established | 4 April 1876 |
| Endowment | C$19.9 million (2022) |
| Chancellor | Jamie Watt |
| President | Ana Serrano |
| Provost | Caroline Langill |
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Academic staff
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400 |
| Students | 4,990 (2021) |
| Undergraduates | 4,600 (2021) |
| Postgraduates | 390 (2021) |
| Location |
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Canada
43°39′11″N 79°23′28.3″W / 43.65306°N 79.391194°W |
| Campus | Urban |
| Affiliations | AICAD, COU, Universities Canada |
OCAD University, also known as Ontario College of Art & Design University, is a public university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It's a special school for art and design. The university's main campus is in downtown Toronto, spread across several buildings.
OCAD University has three main parts: the Faculty of Art, the Faculty of Arts and Science, and the Faculty of Design. It also offers classes for adults who want to keep learning new skills.
This university started in 1876 as the Ontario School of Art. It was created by the Ontario Society of Artists. This makes it the oldest art school still running in Canada. Over the years, its name changed a few times. In 1912, it became the Ontario College of Art (OCA). Later, in 1996, it was renamed the Ontario College of Art and Design.
In 2002, it became a university and could start giving out degrees. The word "University" was added to its name in 2010. By 2020, the government gave it full power to grant all kinds of degrees. In 2021, almost 5,000 students were studying there.
Contents
A Look at OCAD's History
OCAD University began in 1876 as the Ontario School of Art. The Ontario Society of Artists wanted to teach art and help art education grow in Ontario. The school opened on October 30, 1876, with money from the government.
The school moved a few times in its early years. In 1882, the government took over the school. It moved to the Toronto Normal School building. In 1886, it was renamed the Toronto Art School.
The Ontario Society of Artists started supporting the school again in 1890. They moved it to a new spot and called it the Central Ontario School of Art and Industrial Design.
OCAD in the 20th Century
In 1912, the school officially became the Ontario College of Art (OCA). It was allowed to give out diplomas. George Agnew Reid became the first principal. He designed the first building made just for the college. This building, opened in 1921, was the first of its kind in Canada. It was built for teaching professional artists and designers.
In 1945, the school added a design program. By the 1950s, it had grown and even had classes in other towns. In 1957, the main building got its first expansion.
The main campus grew a lot in the 1980s. In 1996, the school changed its name to the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD). This change helped it become a degree-granting school.
OCAD in the 21st Century
In 2002, OCAD officially became a university. It could now give out bachelor's degrees in fine arts and design. In 2007, it started offering master's degrees too.
Sara Diamond was the president from 2005 to 2020. She helped change the way things were taught. She made sure that teachers had advanced degrees. She also added more classes about digital media and design research.
In 2010, the school changed its name again to Ontario College of Art and Design University. This new name showed its university status. By 2020, the university gained full power to award all types of degrees.
Exploring the Campus
OCAD University's campus is located in downtown Toronto. Its buildings are spread out in different areas. The main group of buildings is in the Grange Park neighbourhood. This area is around McCaul Street. The university also has buildings south of Grange Park and a smaller campus in East Bayfront.
The Grange Park area includes the Main Building, the Annex Building, and the Rosalie Sharp Pavilion. Some of these buildings are very old and protected by heritage laws. The university also has buildings on Richmond Street West. One of these buildings is shared with other businesses.
The East Bayfront campus is on Queens Quay East. It has a special space called OCAD U CO. This is like a business starter hub for new ideas. This campus is part of a bigger complex that also includes George Brown College.
OCAD University does not have student dorms. Students live off campus. However, it does have a student centre for students to gather and study.
Cool Academic Buildings
The main academic buildings include the Rosalie Sharp Pavilion and the Main Building. The Main Building has different parts, like the George Reid House and the Rosalie Sharp Centre for Design.
The Rosalie Sharp Pavilion is next to the Main Building. It's named after Rosalie Sharp, a former student. It was updated in 2016 with a cool stainless steel design. This building has special centers for learning and helping new artists and designers.
The Main Building's Unique Design
The oldest part of the Main Building is the George Reid House, opened in 1921. It was designed by George Agnew Reid, a former student and principal. This was the first building in Canada made just for art education.
Over the years, the Main Building got several additions. In 2004, a very unique part was added: the Rosalie Sharp Centre for Design.
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This new part looks like a big box floating four storeys above the ground. It's held up by many colourful pillars. People often describe it as a "tabletop" building. This design won many awards for its creativity and engineering. More renovations happened in 2016, adding even more space to the building.
Library and Learning Spaces
The OCAD University Library is where students find books and resources. It has many print and electronic books, films, and graphic materials. Most of the collection is about visual art and design.
The library has three main spots:
- The Dorothy H. Hoover Library: This is a general library for art and design. It's open to the public.
- The Library Learning Zone: This is a study space where students can work on projects.
- The University Archives: This holds historical records of the university.
The Library Learning Zone was created in 2009. It's a place for students to study and work together.
Art Galleries at OCAD
OCAD University has seven galleries where art is shown. These galleries display art from students, teachers, and other artists. Some galleries are for specific students, like graduate students.
The Onsite Gallery is the university's public gallery. It often shows Indigenous art and art that explores important issues. It opened in 2017. The university also works with Partial Gallery to help students and graduates sell their art.
Being Green at OCAD
OCAD University cares about the environment. It has a Sustainability Committee that works to make the university more eco-friendly. In 2009, OCAD and other universities in Ontario promised to make their campuses more environmentally responsible.
How OCAD University is Run
OCAD University is a public university, meaning it gets money from the government. It has two main groups that make decisions: a board of governors and a senate. These groups are set up by provincial laws.
The board of governors manages the university's daily affairs and makes big decisions. The senate is in charge of what is taught at the university. It decides on the school's educational policies.
The chancellor is like the head of the university, but it's mostly an honorary role. They give out degrees at graduation. The president is the main leader of the university. They manage everything day-to-day. Ana Serrano is the current president.
Indigenous Education Council
OCAD University has an Indigenous Education Council. It was started in 2008. This council helps the university work with Indigenous communities. It makes sure Indigenous people are involved in decisions at the university. It also helps Indigenous students get into and succeed at OCAD.
What You Can Study at OCAD
OCAD University is a special school for art, design, and media. The school year has two main parts: Fall/Winter (September to April) and Spring/Summer (May to August).
The university has three main areas of study:
- Faculty of Art
- Faculty of Arts and Science
- Faculty of Design
As of 2022, there are 18 different programs for undergraduate students and seven programs for graduate students. In the 2020–21 school year, over 4,100 students were studying full-time.
OCAD University offers different types of degrees. You can get a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Design, or Bachelor of Fine Arts. For graduate studies, you can get a Master of Arts, Master of Design, or Master of Fine Arts.
OCAD's Reputation
OCAD University is known as a good school for art and design. In 2023, a global ranking placed OCAD among the top 51-100 art and design universities in the world.
Research and Innovation
OCAD University has over 20 research centers and labs. One important one is the Inclusive Design Research Centre (IDRC). This center focuses on making things like technology easier for everyone to use, no matter their abilities.
The university also supports two "business incubators." These are places that help students, alumni, and teachers start their own businesses. The Imagination Catalyst helps with digital ideas. The Mobile Experience Innovation Centre focuses on new ideas for mobile technology.
How to Get In
To get into OCAD University, you need to meet certain requirements. These can be different for students from Ontario, other parts of Canada, or other countries. If English is not your first language, you'll need to show you can speak it well.
The application process for undergraduate students usually includes an interview, an essay, and showing a portfolio of your creative work. In 2017, about 92% of first-year students continued to their second year.
Student Life at OCAD
| Undergraduate | Graduate | |
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| Male | 29.0% | 26.2% |
| Female | 71.0% | 73.8% |
| Canadian student | 74.5% | 25.5% |
| International student | 77.6% | 22.4% |
In 2021, OCAD University had over 4,600 undergraduate students and 390 graduate students. Most students are Canadian. Many Canadian students get financial help from government programs.
The OCAD Student Union (OCADSU) represents all students. They help students with academic issues and offer other services. There are also many student clubs for different interests, like cultural groups or recreational activities.
University Symbols
OCAD University has used many logos over the years to represent itself. The current logo was introduced in 2011. It was designed by Bruce Mau Design.
Famous People from OCAD
Many talented people have studied or taught at OCAD University. As of 2022, there are over 25,000 OCAD University alumni around the world.
Some famous artists who were part of the Group of Seven studied here, like Franklin Carmichael and A. J. Casson. Other notable alumni and faculty include Jack Bush, Michael Snow, and Lisa Steele.
See also
- Education in Toronto
- Higher education in Ontario
- List of art schools
- List of universities in Ontario
