Earlier this month, the Canadian Studies Center, or CSC, cemented a partnership with the Ontario College of Art and Design University, or OCAD U, a premier art university in Toronto, by signing a memorandum of understanding, or MOU. The MOU commits both universities to collaboration in teaching and research for the benefit of students at both institutions.

“During this politically charged time, the MOU between the MSU Canadian Studies Center and OCAD U demonstrates our shared commitment to maintaining and further promoting exchange and engagement between students and faculty in our two countries,” said Rebecca Malouin, director of MSU’s Canadian Studies Center.

“These person-to-person connections are critically important; they help us cut through the noise and learn from one another in meaningful ways.”

In addition to the MOU with OCAD U, the CSC is initiating similar agreements with several Canadian universities as part of the Center’s Canada Connect initiative. The CSC has an ´MOU with Universit´e Laval in Quebec City, is finalizing an MOU with Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, and is pursuing MOUs with several other Canadian universities.

During the same April visit, both MSU students and faculty also attended the Faces and Traces exhibition held at the Stackt North Hall Gallery, located near OCAD U's campus. Curated by SUNY Genesco Museum Studies students and under the direction of Professor Alla Myzelev, the exhibition featured portraits created by MSU and OCAD U students during Collaborative Online International Learning, or COIL courses, offered by MSU’s Department of Art, Art History and Design and OCAD U.

The COIL project, originally conceived and initiated by Professor d’Ann Desimone, gave MSU students enrolled in art courses with Professors Candice Chovanec and Morgan Hill the opportunity to engage with OCAD U students in a course taught by Professor Ilene Sova via Zoom, email and letters.

Students at each university partnered with a student from the other university where they also shared additional images and information about one another and their lives in their respective countries. Students then completed portraits of each other, reflecting on what they learned about one another and their respective countries.

They also reflected on living on opposite sides of the U.S.-Canada border during increased tensions and talk of a "trade war" between the U.S. and Canada.

“This assignment has been an exciting and influential opportunity to connect to others across borders…. The COIL project is a beautiful assignment that connects us to our neighbors while expanding our knowledge of the border and culture outside of our school and giving us a way to make relationships with new people,” said Breanna Chaput (‘25), an art education senior from southeast Michigan who traveled to Toronto for the opening.

The COIL project was supported by a Strategic Partnership Grant from the Canadian Studies Center and matching funds from the MSU Department of Art, Art History and Design. The funds provided scholarships for several MSU students to attend the Toronto opening, gain international gallery exposure, meet their Canadian portrait partners, and explore Toronto, including the city’s world-class galleries.

A U.S. iteration of the exhibit “Faces and Traces” is planned for November in the Scene Metrospace gallery in East Lansing.