Ontario investing $27M for OCAD University expansion

Ontario College of Art and Design.

Ontario is investing $27 million to support the expansion and modernization of the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) University campus along McCaul and Duncan streets in downtown Toronto.

“The Ontario government is proud to support the Creative City Campus project, which will provide OCAD University students with vastly expanded and improved learning facilities, including a modernization of its hallmark studio-based learning approach. This project will be a game-changer for Toronto’s downtown core and encourage an open and collaborative learning environment that connects students, faculty and researchers with the surrounding community. OCAD University contributes such a unique value to Ontario’s postsecondary education system and produces some of Canada’s top talent in the creative and cultural industries, and I know this modernized and expanded space will help propel OCAD University’s continued success supporting good jobs in these key sectors,” said Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities

The province’s investment towards OCAD University’s Creative City Campus project will allow for:

*   Expansion and refurbishment of studio spaces and fabrication technology at 100 McCaul St., including the historic George Reid House, facing Grange Park

*   Construction of collaborative learning spaces in the Sharp Centre for Design

*   Creation of new shared student spaces, including the Grange Park Room, Student Commons and Indigenous Visual Culture Centre

*   Revitalization and expansion of the Art and Design Library for the Future

*   Development of a Centre for Experiential Learning, located at 115 McCaul St.

The new and refurbished state-of-the art classrooms, seminar and studio spaces will incorporate the latest in learning technology, improve accessibility and increase collaborative and experiential learning spaces for students. In total, this project will add 55,000 square feet of new space and upgrade 94,700 square feet of existing space to strengthen OCAD University’s status as one of North America’s leaders in art and design edu cation.

Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history — about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals, including OCAD University’s Creative City Campus project. In 2015, the province announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life.

Improving postsecondary infrastructure is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.