2026 Thirdspace Residency Application


    Develop a new body of work, experiment with new techniques, expand your practice and showcase your work, guided by our summer artist and mentor-in-residence, Erdem Taşdelen.  


    About the residency:

    THIRDSPACE: Emerging Artist Summer Intensive Program is a month-long residency program at OCAD University that brings together a dynamic group of interdisciplinary emerging artists, including those in the early stages of their careers and those embarking on new directions in their creative practices.

    Residency Theme: 

    This year's theme Staging the Unseen. This residency invites artists to explore storytelling beyond convention. Using text, image, sound, and video, participants will engage in narrative as world-building—challenging dominant stories, revealing hidden perspectives, and opening space for new possibilities. 

    Over four weeks, artists will benefit from dedicated studio space at OCAD University, skill-building workshops in both technical and conceptual areas, such as sound and photography, and custom-curated tours of Toronto’s vibrant galleries, museums, and artist-run spaces. The residency culminates in a public exhibition at the OCAD U Graduate Gallery, offering participants the chance to publicly share the innovative work developed during the program.  

    Residency Highlights 

    • One month of open and specialized studio access to develop and refine your work  
    • Hands-on workshops led by your mentor, designed to expand your practice 
    • ️ Reading discussions, guest talks & field trips 
    • ️ Final exhibition showcasing the innovative projects developed during the program 



     

    About your mentor:  

    Erdem Taşdelen is an artist based in Tkaronto/Toronto, Canada. Through the use of diverse materials and media, he constructs semi-fictional narratives that incorporate unique historical figures, events and texts to implicate contemporary sociopolitical realities. At the core of his artistic practice lies an exploration of how narrative interacts with its form, and how different forms “stage” narratives. 

    Taşdelen has exhibited at venues including The Power Plant, Aga Khan Museum and Mercer Union in Toronto; Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver; VOX, Montréal; Framer Framed, Amsterdam; Museum für Neue Kunst, Freiburg; and Pera Museum, Istanbul. He has been an artist-in-residence at the Delfina Foundation and Studio Voltaire, London; Hangar, Lisbon; Rupert, Vilnius; and KulturKontakt, Vienna. He was awarded the Joseph S. Stauffer Prize in Visual Arts by the Canada Council in 2016, the Charles Pachter Prize by Hnatyshyn Foundation in 2014, long-listed for the Sobey Art Award in 2019, and selected as a finalist for the Taoyuan International Art Award in 2025. 



    Erdem Taşdelen, Apparitions: Plunge / Apparitions: Rush, inkjet-printed photographs, 45x60 cm each, 2025. Photo by Kayhan Kaygusuz. Courtesy of the artist. Headshot by Sarah Bodri 


    About you:

    This residency program is open to visual artists and designers who are in the final stages of formal post-secondary education or training, or who have gained equivalent experience through independent practice, cultural or traditional knowledge, and have received recognition from their peers.  
     
    This program is for you if you are: 

    • A current undergraduate or graduate student

    • A recent graduate 

    • An artist in the early stages of your career  

    • A practicing artist exploring new directions in your practice. 
       


    Key dates & details: 

    • Program dates:  Monday, June 1 – Friday, June 26, 2026. Recommended arrival and departure dates are  Sunday, May, 31 and Saturday, June 27, 2026. 
    • Early Bird deadline: February 2, 2026. Save $300 on program fees! Applicants will hear back within one month of deadline. This is the recommended deadline if you need to apply for a visitor visa to enter Canada. 
    • Application deadline: April 2, 2026. Applicants will hear back within one month of deadline.

    • Program fee: CAD $4,600.00 + applicable taxes. Accommodation, transportation and meals are not included.  
    • Program fee + accommodation: CAD $7,450 + applicable taxes. Transportation and meals are not included.  
    • OCAD U Student Rate: Current OCAD U Undergraduate and Graduate students are eligible for $300 off the program fee, which can be combined with the Early Bird rate for a total discount of $600.

    A payment plan of 3 equal monthly instalments is available and more information, accepted applicants will receive further details.
     


    Application requirements:

    • Fill out the application form below
    • Submit your portfolio and statement of intent through SlideRoom (you will receive an email with a SlideRoom link upon submitting this form).




    Questions? Get in touch with Meichen Waxer, Program Development Specialist at mwaxer@ocadu.ca

    The * means the field is required.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Are there language requirements?  

    The program is delivered in English. If English is not your first language, you are required to be proficient in written and spoken English and be able to participate in group discussions and presentations in English. As a guideline, we would expect you to have an IELTS score of 6.0 to 7.0.  

    I’m not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada.  Will I need a visa? 

    A study permit is not required for a stay of less than 6 months. However, unless you are a citizen of the United States, you will need either a temporary resident visa (visitor visa) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.  The one you need depends on your country of citizenship. Please visit the Government of Canada website to find out which one you should apply for. 

    How long does it take to get a visitor visa? 

    Canadian visiting visa processing times vary from country to country.  Accepted participants are responsible for recognizing and adhering to the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. If you require a Visitor Visa please check the current expected processing times in advance of applying. 

    Can OCAD help me with my visa application? 

    The International Student Support Office at OCAD can answer questions and provide advice but cannot complete the visa application for you.  Please contact international@ocadu.ca if you need assistance. 

    Contact Information
    Birthdate*
    Birthdate*
    Housing
    This program includes accommodations at an OCAD U residence partner. There are limited rooms available, so please check this box to ensure your spot is saved! Residence is available on a first come, first served basis. Meals and transportation are not included as part of the accommodation plan.
     
    This program includes accommodations at an OCAD U residence partner. There are limited rooms available, so please check this box to ensure your spot is saved! Residence is available on a first come, first served basis. Meals and transportation are not included as part of the accommodation plan.
     
    Education and Artistic Practice
    *Level of education or years in practice (check all that apply):
    *Level of education or years in practice (check all that apply):
    *Mediums of artistic practice (check all that apply):
    *Mediums of artistic practice (check all that apply):
    Application Process

    Applications for this program will be submitted through this form. After submitting, you will receive an email prompting you to submit your portfolio through Slideroom, where you will provide the following: 

    Written Statement of Intent: We want to learn more about you, your interests, and your motivations. In maximum 250 words per question, please provide a thoughtful response.  Be concise, reflective, and let your unique perspective shine!  

    • Why are you interested in participating in the THIRDSPACE: OCAD U Emerging Artist Summer Residency? How do you connect with this year's theme Staging the Unseen?

    • What specific goals do you hope to achieve or experiences are you seeking during the program?How do you envision this opportunity shaping or advancing your artistic practice? 

    Portfolio: Include 5–12 examples of your work that showcase your skills and creativity. Your portfolio should provide a well-rounded representation of your practice. Ensure the pieces connect meaningfully with the themes and ideas discussed in your written statement. If you include time-based media, keep the total duration under 5 minutes. For longer media pieces, consider reducing the total number of items in your portfolio to maintain balance and focus. 
     

    Applicants should expect a response to their complete application within one month of application deadline (Early Bird deadline: February 2nd, and Deadline: April 2nd).

    A NOTE ON PRIVACY: OCAD University does not disclose, rent, loan, sell or otherwise transfer your personal information without your consent. Using the information you have submitted, we will send you emails from time to time. If you wish to unsubscribe, you will be able to do so at any time from the emails. Read more on OCAD U's commitment to privacy here: https://www.ocadu.ca/about/governance/information-and-privacy.htm