d

Imagination is Everything

Ontario College of Art & Design

PROVINCIAL DIALOGUE 2008

Admission Updates 2008 Conducting the portfolio interviews earlier in the admission cycle has allowed OCAD’s Admissions department to make our first round of offers by the end of March. At this time, all our offers have been sent out. An applicant who has been advised that a spot may become available is still being considered. Admission to either the BFA or BDes program is based primarily on the result of a portfolio assessment. Based on the 2800 interviews booked this year, a first-year class of 750 students in art and design is expected. Congratulations are due to all of those students selected from this very competitive process. Students must have obtained an OSSD, six 12 U or M courses with a minimum academic average of 70% including an ENG 4U with a minimum grade of 70% to meet the conditions of their offer. Students need to be reminded that if their native language is not English and they have not attended an English Language institution for 4 years or more, they are required to present a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or equivalent in addition to the Grade 12U English requirement. Our English for Art & Design (EAD) has been designed specifically for new students who speak English as a second language and is taught by OCAD instructors. Students at OCAD, speak English constantly, in class and outside of class, working on group projects with native speakers, discussing and debating with students and faculty, and making presentations about their work. English for Art & Design will help prepare for the unique learning environment at OCAD. The program takes place from July 28 to August 29, 2008 and more information can be found online. Students who accept an offer of Admission will be sent updates in June. At this time, students will be notified of any outstanding documents (i.e. transcripts, TOFEL scores, updated English grades). The documents should be submitted as soon as possible however, students have until August 15, 2008 to do so.

Admission for the 2009 Academic Year The application deadline for September 2009 will be February 6, 2009. Portfolio guidelines, information about workshops and admission details are available at our website, www.ocad.ca.

Opportunities to Build a Portfolio at OCAD Intensive Summer Portfolio Program: the intensive program will focus on helping students develop the framework to build a successful portfolio. Please encourage your students to join us for a week of informative lectures, workshops, and studio experiences. More information can we found online at www.ocad.ca.

Photo: Emily Muir

Admission to OCAD is based on the outcome of an applicant’s portfolio interview. With that in mind, we offer a variety of portfolio building programs. Whether students are attending the week long Intensive Summer Portfolio Program, our one day, Saturday Portfolio Clinics held between October and February, or our National Portfolio Day, in November, they will build the necessary critical thinking skills which will aid building their portfolios and presenting them at their interviews. For more information on any of these events, please go to our website, www.ocad.ca.

Contact Us Ontario College of Art & Design 100 McCaul Street Toronto ON, M5T 1W1 416 977 6000 www.ocad.ca

Jan Sage, Director, Admissions & Recruitment jsage@ocad.ca x236

Spencer J. Harrison, Recruitment Officer sharrison@ocad.ca x489

Julie Staffieri, Admission Assistant jstaffieri@ocad.ca x310

Donald Kelly, Recruitment Assistant dkelly@ocad.ca x428

d

Imagination is Everything

Ontario College of Art & Design

Campus News OCAD considers name change: Following months of intensive research and consultation with members of our community, OCAD’s board of Governors has voted in favour of recommending that our University’s name be changed from “Ontario College of Art & Design” to “OCAD University”. With this vote, the Board has taken a huge step forward in allowing OCAD to reposition itself within the post-secondary sector. The Board’s recommendation will now be forwarded to Queen’s Park for the government’s consideration. In the meantime, our name remains “Ontario College of Art & Design”. Introduction of Minors: We are pleased to announce the first phase of The New Ecology of Learning at OCAD: the introduction of Studio and Liberal Studies minors, commencing May 1, 2008. This will enable students to pursue a secondary field of study without compromising their major field. Graduate Programs: In 2008-9 OCAD begins three graduate programs offering interdisciplinary studies in art, design and media; curatorial and critical practice and executive design opportunities in advertising. Campus Renewal: In addition to $2.15M in provincial funds, OCAD received $9M investment towards interactive design research and innovation. The new funding for OCAD is part of a $19 million investment from the Ministry of Research and Innovation to encourage skills development and research capabilities in digital media. OCAD’s share will help to establish a research and innovation laboratory in interactive design and digital media. The new facility will eventually be integrated into a planned Centre for Research & Graduate Studies.

LOOK INSIDE OCAD is committed to making itself an approachable university. Our reputation has been built on the strength of the studio as an educational environment. We want students to be able to immerse themselves in the behind-the-scenes world of art and design: to access what OCAD has to offer by seeing, touching and experiencing this environment. We are very excited to present LOOK INSIDE, Saturday October 18, 2008. It will provide an opportunity to see students working in the studios, to engage in conversation with faculty and administrators and to get a sense of the learning environment that exits at OCAD. We know how inspiring the Graduate Show, traditionally mounted in May, is for students. LOOK INSIDE provides an alternative opportunity to learn about OCAD. We have invited recent graduates to share their stories on the early stages of their career. Attending the panel discussions will be invaluable to anyone who is considering a career in art or design. Information will be sent to all secondary schools and will be posted on our website. We hope that you will encourage your students and their families to join us for the day.

Photo: Richard Johnson

Contact Us Ontario College of Art & Design 100 McCaul Street Toronto ON, M5T 1W1 416 977 6000 www.ocad.ca

Jan Sage, Director, Admissions & Recruitment jsage@ocad.ca x236

Spencer J. Harrison, Recruitment Officer sharrison@ocad.ca x489

Julie Staffieri, Admission Assistant jstaffieri@ocad.ca x310

Donald Kelly, Recruitment Assistant dkelly@ocad.ca x428