Current students, faculty, and staff
OCAD U is Canada's oldest, largest and leading art and design university, located in downtown Toronto since 1876.
We are home to 4,500 students attending 17 undergraduate and seven graduate programs. Our classes are taught by experts who work in their fields and by some of Canada’s most accomplished artists and designers. Our more than 25,000 alumni are leaders in every imaginable sector ranging from animation to automotive design and from gaming to graphic design.
OCAD U is more than a traditional university. We are a major cultural and economic force and city-builder. Our Cultural Policy Hub, Global Centre for Climate Action and the renowned Inclusive Design Research Centre are at the forefront of innovation. Our annual graduate exhibition is the largest free art and design show in Canada.
OCAD U’s leadership includes our Board of Governors and Senate. Ana Serrano has been President and Vice-Chancellor of OCAD University since 2020. She has more than 25 years of experience in transforming organizations, creating award-winning digital products and designing cutting-edge programs to strengthen cultural and creative sectors.
We're located in downtown Toronto, next to beautiful Grange Park and the Art Gallery of Ontario. The University has 12 buildings downtown and we're steps away from Queen West and Toronto’s financial district. We have six public galleries and run a digital production house with a street-front studio located in the TIFF Lightbox. Our campus is easily accessible by transit and surrounded by walkable and livable neighbourhoods.
The award-winning Rosalie Sharp Centre for Design is our flagship building and a Toronto architectural landmark designed by acclaimed British architect Will Alsop.
OCAD U is home to six public galleries exhibiting work by both our students and some of Canada and the world’s biggest artists and designers.
OCAD U student Nile (@artistnile on Instagram) has been creating art in high-traffic areas of Toronto for years, selling his first painting at Yonge and Dundas Square when he was only 12 years old. Nile let us tag along as he worked on a new painting while riding the subway, and filled us in on what’s next for him.
Meet Fernanda (@ferzf_ame), an international student from Mexico studying Integrated Media at OCAD University. Her work beautifully incorporates her Mexican heritage through creative storytelling blending textiles, ceramics, and more – turning her unique perspective into powerful art ✨
Growing up with artistic parents, Emma always knew OCAD University was going to be her next step after high school. Now, she's about to kick off her first year in the Material Art and Design program, and she’s ready to dive into experimenting with all kinds of tools and materials the program has to offer.
