Early Career Canadian Urban Leaders join the School of Cities during the first 10 years of their career in an area or field that addresses a key urban issue such as civic and community engagement, housing, climate change, social justice, migration, inequality and democracy.
The 2025 program supports an Artist-in-Residence, offering a year-long residency and the opportunity to collaborate, research and create art that engages with the work we do at School of Cities. The residency will culminate in a final public exhibition highlighting the research/artwork created during the residency. Artists from a broad range of art practices are invited to apply.
The 2025 ECCUL Artist-in-Residence will have the opportunity to participate in the School of Cities community in the following ways:
- Propose and lead programs, events and activities
- Contribute to the publications and knowledge products of the School of Cities
- Work, meet and host on the University of Toronto campus
- Attend events, roundtables, seminars, and symposia organized by the School of Cities
- Receive mentorship from Canadian Urban Leaders and Urbanists-in-Residence
- Receive a stipend of $50,000 CAD, to be in-residence at the School of Cities
- Engage with students, staff, and faculty to support research, capacity-building, outreach, event coordination and communications
New 2025-26 Early Career Canadian Urban Leader
Dana Prieto
Dana is an artist, educator, and researcher based in Tkaronto. Her site-responsive practice examines personal and collective relations with colonial structures through a careful attention to the ground, and the different forms of living and dying within it. She holds a Master of Visual Studies from University of Toronto, and her work has been presented in national and international galleries, public spaces, and informal cultural venues. Dana is a co-founder and educator at SHEEEPschool, a research associate for Finding Flowers project, and the coordinator of the podcast “Sounds Like Land.”
APPLICATIONS FOR 2026-27 EARLY CAREER CANADIAN URBAN LEADERS WILL OPEN IN FALL 2025
Chiyi Tam
In March 2023, Chiyi Tam, Executive Director, Kensington Market Community Land Trust, joined the School of Cities as our 2023-24 Early Career Canadian Urban Leader.
Cheryll Case
In January 2022, CP Planning Founder and Affordable Housing Advocate, Cheryll Case joined the School of Cities as an Early Career Canadian Urban Leader
Sam Carter-Shamai
In March 2024, urban planner and community advocate Sam Carter-Shamai joined the School of Cities as our 2024-25 Early Career Canadian Urban Leader