DesignTO Youth Showcase 2027: Paid Digital, Film and Design Presentations for Existing Participants
DesignTO and youth arts organisation JAYU are selecting project presentations for a one-day DesignTO Youth Showcase during the DesignTO Festival in Toronto, running 22–31 January 2027. The application deadline is Friday, 6 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. This call welcomes digital and visual work, short films, interactive demonstrations, performance, objects and prototypes. However, it is expressly restricted to people already enrolled in the 2026–27 DesignTO Youth 'design is everything' programme. It is not an open worldwide application for new participants.
Critical eligibility: the Youth programme is already full
All accepted participants in DesignTO Youth 2026–27 can submit a showcase proposal, individually or in groups. The underlying programme was designed for Ontario residents aged 18–29 who identify with equity-seeking groups, and its original September 4, 2026 enrollment deadline has passed; the organiser says it is full. Joining the showcase is not a way around that earlier admission process. Participation in the workshop series also does not guarantee showcase selection: proposals are reviewed and only some are invited.
Digital and visual projects the curators want
The organisers invite works in any creative medium, including visual art, video, film screening, digital interaction, prototypes, demonstration and performance. The decisive test is social usefulness: a project should address a real person or community; be informed by at least one conversation with someone affected by the issue; and propose something that could feasibly exist in the real world. A polished app interface without evidence of community engagement may therefore be a less relevant application than an unfinished but carefully researched inclusive design prototype.
Project proposal and supporting files
Applicants must include a project description of up to 300 words explaining the idea, the people or community it serves, and its planned form of presentation. They must describe one or two relevant precedents in no more than 100 words, supply a creative biography of up to 100 words per member and attach one to three process or work images, each no larger than 1 MB. An optional video link and contact details complete the submission. Previously made work may be considered if it has not been publicly shown.
Payment and attendance costs
There is no submission or participation fee. Selected artists receive an artist fee, but the announcement does not specify a universal amount and should not be advertised as a fixed grant. Successful applicants remain responsible for getting themselves and their work to the Toronto venue, including transport costs. The exact one-day showcase date and presentation venue may be adjusted; the organisers mention the Catalyst space at Toronto Metropolitan University as a possible location, not a binding guarantee.
Why DesignTO and JAYU are relevant
DesignTO is an established Toronto design festival organisation and registered charity. JAYU is its partner on this youth-focused creative programme. The official call provides the programme's history, eligibility criteria, project requirements and a coordinator contact. Acceptance notifications are expected in the week of 16 November 2026. Eligible existing participants should apply through the linked official form before 6 November; those not enrolled should not submit as if the showcase were open enrollment. Information checked 25 October 2026.
Official information / 募集公式情報 / 官方报名信息
Organizer's original call and official application / 主催者による公式募集要項・応募窓口 / 主办方官方征集及报名链接： https://designto.org/youth-exhibition-call/