In its 150th year, the Ontario College of Art and Design announces 150 Scholarships for Students.
October 20, 2026: The Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD), founded in 1876 and one of Ontario’s smallest universities with an enrollment of 4,600, has announced 150 scholarships of up to $40,000 each for select students to celebrate the school’s 150th anniversary.
The program, called “150 FUTURES,” aims to provide recipients with substantial financial support to cover expenses as they gain the knowledge and experience they need to succeed after graduation. Each scholarship, designed to cover four academic terms, will be distributed in four equal $10,000 installments at the end of each year, starting in September 2027.
“150 FUTURES is an ambitious investment in students and in the future of art, design, and culture in Canada,” said OCAD University President and Vice-Chancellor Ana Serrano during an event at the Princess of Wales Theatre.
“Canadians deeply value art, design, and culture, and they support those who create it. 150 FUTURES is a way to turn that belief into reality—by investing in the students who will shape the next 150 years,” Serrano added.
When asked for comments, university officials said the scholarships would be funded through donations. The initiative launched, in part, because of “significant philanthropic momentum” following two $1 million donations from Nancy McCain and Bill Morneau, as well as from John and Jan MacIntyre, according to a press rel ease.
Thus far, the program has received $3 million in donations and is halfway to its $6 million goal.
This investment comes as Ontario’s post-secondary funding priorities increasingly emphasize sciences, engineering, health, trades, and other labor-market-driven programs.
“We hear a lot about STEM these days, and supporting science is essential for our future,” stated McCain. “A better tomorrow also requires creative individuals who can envision new possibilities.”
OCAD President Ana Serrano emphasized the importance of creativity in the age of AI, saying, “We need people who possess the discipline of focus, the confidence to question their surroundings, and the imagination to combine different ideas into something new.
These critical thinking and creative skills are what our students cultivate daily.”
Notably, these scholarships are the first to cover full tuition, which matters as the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) has shifted student aid from nonrepayable grants toward loans.
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