온타리오 예술디자인대학교는 캐나다에서 가장 크고, 가장 오래된 예술 디자인 교육기관이다. 토론토에 위치한 온타리오 갤러리(Art Gallery of Ontario) 근방에 자리잡고 있으며, 비주얼 아트, 디자인 분야에서 다양한 프로그램을 제공한다. 캐나다에서는 처음으로 파인 아트와 상업 예술 분야에서 전문적인 예술가 양성 교육을 실시한 교육기관으로, 캐나다의 미술과 디자인 부문에서 뛰어난 인재들을 배출하였다.
1876년 온타리오 예술가협회(Ontario Society of Artists)가 설립한 온타리오 예술학교(Ontario School of Art)가 전신으로, 1886년 토론토 예술학교로 교명을 바꿨으며, 1890년부터는 센트럴 온타리오 예술산업디자인학교로 이름을 바꿨다. 1912년 온타리오 예술대학(Ontario College of Art)과 통합하고, 교명도 이 학교 이름으로 바꾸었다. 1996년 온타리오 예술디자인대학(Ontario College of Art & Design)으로, 2010년 6월 온타리오 예술디자인대학교(OCAD University)로 학교 이름을 바꾸었다. 현재 북아메리카에 존재하는 예술디자인대학 40여 개 가운데 세 번째로 규모가 크다.
학생들이 창작한 작품을 전시하는 학생갤러리를 운영하고 있으며, 파인 아트·디자인 학사과정(Bachelor of Fine Arts), 아트미디어·디자인 석사과정(Master in Art Media and Design), 큐레이터가 되기 위한 실전과 비평 석사과정(Master in Criticism and Curatorial Practices), 광고디자인 석사과정(Master of Design in Advertising) 등의 프로그램이 있다.
페기 아담(Peggy Adam, 일러스트레이터), 잭 부시(Jack Bush, 추상표현화가), 클레어 스튜어트(Clair Stewart, 디자이너), 등 캐나다에서 활발하게 활동중인 예술가들을 다수 배출하였다. 세계적으로 인정받은 아트 디렉터이자 비평가, 비디오 아티스트로 활동하는 사라 다이아몬드(Sara Diamond)가 2005년부터 총장을 맡고 있다.
OCAD University is Canada’s largest university of art and design dedicated to applying the power of imagination to education, research and creative enterprise. Since 1876, OCAD U’s specialized, studio-based programs have inspired students, faculty and alumni to push the boundaries of art and design analytically, conceptually and strategically. Today, the university combines the strength of that tradition with new approaches that emphasize collaboration, innovation and the integration of emerging technologies.
What OCAD U teaches reflects who it teaches. Cultural diversity, global citizenship, emerging technologies, health and wellness – by considering contexts like these, OCAD U artists and designers are revolutionizing how people think, work, live and play. Today, 20 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs allow students to benefit from an interdisciplinary university education that blends academic rigour with the experimental freedom of the studio. Intertwined with the graduate programs is a concentrated focus on research that extends beyond traditional academic inquiry. OCAD U researchers apply practice-based methodologies integrating art and design with a plethora of other disciplines, from computer science to physiology to consumer demographics.
OCAD U is located in the heart of Toronto, Canada’s largest centre for design, culture and business. As one of the world’s most multicultural cities, Toronto is a vibrant nexus that brings a diversity of creative forces together. Toronto is home to the second highest concentration of artistically creative people in North America and the third largest design centre in North America (after New York and Boston).
OCAD U supports a vibrant community life, offering special events and lectures, a variety of exhibition venues, visiting artists-in-residence programs, and informal gatherings that help students gain experience in the contemporary art and design worlds.
OCAD U’s graduates are recognized for their broad skills in creativity and innovation.
Student fees
Canadian student fees 2011-12 *
Undergraduate tuition fees: $5,280 - $5,410
Graduate tuition fees: $5,456 - $12,315
International student fees 2011-12 *
Undergraduate tuition fees: $15,920
Graduate tuition fees: $12,699 - $14,834
* Source: Statistics Canada. Fees for general programs in arts and humanities.
Note: In addition to tuition fees, universities generally charge fees for goods and services supplied to students. This includes areas such as student associations, sports and health. These additional fees vary widely per university and per student and can run from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Check with the university for details.
Student enrolment
2011 rounded preliminary fall enrolment *
Full-time (undergraduates): 3,200
Full-time (graduates): 70
Part-time (undergraduates): 940
Part-time (graduates): 80
* Source: Council of Ontario Universities
