OCAD University

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

Ontario College of Art & Design University, commonly known as OCAD University or OCAD U, is a public art and design university located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, within the Grange Park and Entertainment Districts. Established in 1876 by the Ontario Society of Artists as the Ontario School of Art, it is the oldest continuously operating art school in Canada. The university was initially founded to provide professional artistic training and advance art education in Ontario, beginning with 25 students and a faculty led by Thomas Mower Martin. Over the years, the institution underwent multiple name changes and relocations, including becoming the Toronto Art School in 1886 and the Central Ontario School of Art and Industrial Design in 1890. In 1912, it was chartered as the Ontario College of Art, expanding its academic and physical infrastructure over the following decades. The college introduced a design department in 1945, broadening its educational mandate, and continued expanding its downtown campus through several building projects. Significant curricular reforms occurred in the 1970s, including international exchange programs, and in the early 2000s, major architectural and academic expansions were made, notably the Sharp Centre for Design, completed in 2004. In 2002, the institution gained university status, and by 2007 it began offering graduate degrees. In 2010, the official name became Ontario College of Art and Design University, reflecting its degree-granting powers, which were fully authorized by the Government of Ontario in 2020. Today, OCAD University operates three faculties—Art, Arts and Science, and Design—offering undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, as well as continuing education. The university emphasizes both studio practice and academic research, integrating contemporary digital media, design research, and interdisciplinary studies. With over 4,800 undergraduates, 330 graduate students, and a global alumni network of more than 25,000, OCAD U remains a leading institution in Canada for art and design education, combining historical legacy with modern innovation to prepare students for professional and creative careers.