Ontario College of Art and Design
Ontario College of Art and Design
4
7:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Monday
7:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Friday
7:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
At the heart of Toronto, Downtown is the destination for cheap eats and fast fashion. Cut through by hip and trendy Yonge Street, the vibe here is young, with a strong student influence from the Ryerson University Campus. As a result, the Downtown area is always in flux: undergoing the construction of new facilities, with fresh retail spaces and pop-up cafes. Home to Toronto's largest indoor shopping mall, a number of vintage cinemas, and a healthy nightlife centered on the area's Distillery District bar and clubs near the East End, it's both an easygoing daytime spot and a popular party place after sunset. It also features some of Toronto's best outdoor landmarks, including Yonge-Dundas Square and the Nathan Phillips Square: perfect for a concert, a skate, or a relaxing sit-down.
How to get there
- St. Patrick • 5 min walk
- Osgoode • 6 min walk
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Best nearby
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4,449 within 5 kms
Attractions
762 within 10 kms
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4.0
32 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
15
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Birdie
1 contribution
July 2023 • Family
I have never gone to the school, nor have I ever been inside. I have seen the outside of it in person though.
Some say it’s ugly, which I can understand if you compare it to your every day building. This is not your average college, it is designed to tell a story.
This is how I see it:
The story of being an elementary student, having fun with your supplies and poking holes in your eraser with your pencils. To discover later what masterpieces you can create with those two tools: a pencil and eraser.
The pixelated holes in the eraser show the artist have evolved to be a digital artist, but the pencils are still kept because traditional art is loved just the same.
I would like to give it a five out of five for architecture/design.
Some say it’s ugly, which I can understand if you compare it to your every day building. This is not your average college, it is designed to tell a story.
This is how I see it:
The story of being an elementary student, having fun with your supplies and poking holes in your eraser with your pencils. To discover later what masterpieces you can create with those two tools: a pencil and eraser.
The pixelated holes in the eraser show the artist have evolved to be a digital artist, but the pencils are still kept because traditional art is loved just the same.
I would like to give it a five out of five for architecture/design.
Written 6 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
operalover939
Toronto, Canada2,946 contributions
June 2022
The architecture of the Sharp building is fascinating, but we were here not to tour the building but to attend a performance of a new work presented by Tapestry Opera and OCAD, 'R .U.R., A Torrent of Light. The acoustics are not top drawer, but the space works well, and the opera is very fine.
Written 4 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin F
Toronto, Canada1,302 contributions
July 2012
The Alsop design is one of the most unique buildings in Canada (sometimes refered to by locals as the "Alien gas station". The space underneath has a different feel than most and a nice spot for hanging out, reading or catching a snack from the food court across the road. The college itself is a little low key and could have more info posted about their activities and you'd also expect some more outlandish or esoteric goings-on from an art college but it's pretty tame in demeanor.
Written 9 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joliefolie
Toronto, Canada271 contributions
A visual paradis. An inspiration to any prospective students. I'm always in awe when I go to OCAD.
Written 5 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shiva
Richmond Hill, Canada126 contributions
Sept 2015
A different architecture with a checkered tabletop held by giant coloring pencils! It's an unusal architecture but a must see in Toronto. You may even go inside and visit student galleries, some have great work on display.
Written 11 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy A
Toronto, Canada21 contributions
Interesting/challenging architecture: a largeupper story supported on pencil stilts.
Written 1 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chantal R
Brooklin, Canada144 contributions
If you want to see the most ridiculous, shock-value only buildings in the world, hit this up. It looks like an ugly table with multi-coloured legs. Stand in awe of this monstrosity, or just skip it completely.
Written 30 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RGSOUNDF
Mercerville, NJ10,753 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
On our tour of Toronto we were shown the daring futuristic building of the Sharp Centre for Design. It is located 3 blocks to the west of University Ave and easily accessed from the downtown Toronto (about 10 minutes' walk from our hotel, Shangri La Toronto).
Today, the building inaugurated in 2004, is a widely recognizable city landmark. The structure resembling an intergalactic spaceship, is a box, notably elevated from the ground and supported by pillars varying in colors and their angles.
The feat of the modern architectural thought, the Sharp Centre for Design, is the joint work of the famous British architect Will Alsop in partnership with Toronto-based Robbie/Young + Wright Architects. The design received many influential awards and praises of the world architectural and engineering organizations.
Looking to the south, down McCaul St, enjoy the view of the CN Tower.
Please bear in mind that this amazing building doesn't require a tour, admission, or exploring its interior; it can be simply viewed as a stop of your tour of Toronto.
Today, the building inaugurated in 2004, is a widely recognizable city landmark. The structure resembling an intergalactic spaceship, is a box, notably elevated from the ground and supported by pillars varying in colors and their angles.
The feat of the modern architectural thought, the Sharp Centre for Design, is the joint work of the famous British architect Will Alsop in partnership with Toronto-based Robbie/Young + Wright Architects. The design received many influential awards and praises of the world architectural and engineering organizations.
Looking to the south, down McCaul St, enjoy the view of the CN Tower.
Please bear in mind that this amazing building doesn't require a tour, admission, or exploring its interior; it can be simply viewed as a stop of your tour of Toronto.
Written 2 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eirik
Toronto, Canada331 contributions
July 2017 • Couples
Normally visiting a major art school in a huge city is delightful and inspiring. Blue haired, tattooed kids working away in studios, lots of galleries, etc. Parsons in New z York, RISK, The Chicago Art Institute School Zane all great side trips. SAIC even has a film festival when students present their work that goes on for days. OCAD is just sad and empty. Walk down the street to U of T and avoid this stop...lame.
Written 9 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
colonel77
Warkworth, Canada97 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
My wife is a distinguished graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design so has taken many of her friends and graphic design associates for tours through the property ...
My mother was a student there before World War II and also frequented the facilities at times ...
Many of Canada's foremost artists and graphic designers have attended and / or graduated from this school ...
Well worthy of a walk around and not just to see the new artist table building which many people believe that is all there is to the place although it appears to be quite different when fully lighted at night ...
You will appreciate your visit and should not be disappointed ...
The Art Gallery of Ontario is right in the general vicinity as well and you will find some restaurants and shoppes directly across McCall Street.
My mother was a student there before World War II and also frequented the facilities at times ...
Many of Canada's foremost artists and graphic designers have attended and / or graduated from this school ...
Well worthy of a walk around and not just to see the new artist table building which many people believe that is all there is to the place although it appears to be quite different when fully lighted at night ...
You will appreciate your visit and should not be disappointed ...
The Art Gallery of Ontario is right in the general vicinity as well and you will find some restaurants and shoppes directly across McCall Street.
Written 19 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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