OCAD U to launch Creative Research Inclusive Practices (CRIP) Lab

“Ocular Occurrences” by Dr. Pam Patterson (2023). Dr. Patterson’s work will be part of the exhibition portion of the CRIP Lab launch.

On Friday, March 15 from noon to 6 p.m., OCAD University will host the launch of the Creative Research Inclusive Practices (CRIP) Lab. The public is invited to attend free work/play sessions, an exhibition and a reception at 49 McCaul St.

From noon to 4 p.m., participants can attend four simultaneous work/play sessions for participants to explore themes of concern/practice to our communities from “fidgeting for care” to “architectural inclusion.” Session facilitators are Associate Professor Maya Mahgoub Desai, Instructor Roman Romanov, Matt Hawthorn, and in the theatre: Rebecca Caines, Trisha Lamie and Assistant Professor Dr. Pam Patterson who is the lab’s co-founder.

The reception from 4 to 6 p.m. offers members of the OCAD U community, general public and the lab an opportunity to connect and celebrate. An exhibition, THE LAUNCH, captures the nuances of living in a disabling world.

“CRIP Lab seeks to advance equity, inclusion, and access by becoming a leader in critical, multilateral research, art and design,” says Dr. Patterson.

She notes that the lab has members who are OCAD U faculty, researchers and students, including graduates and undergraduates.

“Through a global network of accessibility and inclusion-focused practitioners, academics, and community members, we create knowledge and insight through participation and expression,” continues Dr. Patterson.

“We aim to accomplish this by playing a leadership role in developing dialogues and programming around issues of accessibility, by stimulating curricular and co-curricular learning and innovative research in art, design and curatorial practice and pedagogy through the lens of inclusion, by amplifying the voices of disabled artists, designers, and researchers and through public and exhibited art, design, and media interventions and works.”

The lab acknowledges funding support for the launch from the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario and OCAD U’s Office of Diversity Equity and Sustainability Initiatives and Faculty and Curriculum Development Centre.