Ferris Wheel Press Pen to Paper Bursary at OCAD University

I’m proud to share a first for Ferris Wheel Press: the establishment of the Ferris Wheel Press Pen to Paper Bursary at OCAD University. Through the Ferris Wheel Press Foundation, we’ve made a five-year commitment to help students access the materials they need to create.

This feels particularly meaningful because our connection with OCAD has grown over years of employing people from its community and welcoming interns into our team. The bursary is a natural next step in that relationship, and a practical way to give back to the creative community we’re grateful to be part of.

What is the Ferris Wheel Press Pen to Paper Bursary?

The Ferris Wheel Press Pen to Paper Bursary provides financial support for OCAD University students with demonstrated financial need to purchase analogue art and design materials. It begins in the 2026–27 academic year, supported by a $10,000 CAD commitment over five years from the Ferris Wheel Press Foundation.

The Foundation will contribute $2,000 CAD annually, with individual bursaries ranging from $500 to $1,000 CAD. The fund is expected to support approximately two to four students each year.

OCAD University administers the bursary and selects recipients. Annual awards are subject to receipt of the scheduled funding, with the number and value of bursaries depending on eligible student need and the funds available.

Why is OCAD University a natural fit for Ferris Wheel Press?

We share an appreciation for hands-on creative work and the people who bring it to life. OCAD University’s emphasis on studio learning feels closely connected to the way we approach design at Ferris Wheel Press.

Our roots in letterpress printing taught us to care about what happens between an idea and the finished piece. How does the paper feel? How does a colour change on the page? What happens when you try something a little differently? Those questions still matter to us.

Over the years, our connection with OCAD has also become a connection with people. We’ve employed staff from its community and welcomed interns into our workplace. Working together has given us a personal reason to invest in the next generation of artists and designers.

Employment and internships connect people with creative work. The bursary adds support earlier in that journey, while students are developing their practice.

How will the bursary help students put pen to paper?

The bursary will help recipients purchase materials such as pens, inks, paper, sketchbooks and calligraphy tools for their work at OCAD University.

These are everyday tools, but they give an idea somewhere to begin. A sketchbook holds the first attempt. A new ink colour invites an experiment. More paper means room to keep working through a thought.

It’s the same pleasure in making that we design for in our writing inks and tools such as the Carousel fountain pen. I want students to have more room to explore their own ideas with the materials that suit their work.

Why are we making a five-year commitment?

A five-year commitment allows us to support students across successive academic years. I want giving back to become a steady part of how we grow as a company.

One of our core values is to Serve Generously. For me, that means turning our appreciation for the creative community into something useful. Through the Ferris Wheel Press Foundation, we can help make materials more accessible to students who need financial support.

What comes next in our relationship with OCAD University?

I’m excited to deepen our relationship with OCAD and explore further ways to contribute. The bursary gives us a concrete place to begin, and I hope we can build on it thoughtfully in the years ahead.

That could mean sharing more of our experience in creative work, learning from the university’s community, or finding other practical ways to support students. We look forward to exploring those possibilities together.

Thank you to the team members and interns from OCAD who have been part of our journey, and to everyone in the Ferris Wheel Press community who continues to encourage what we do. I’m proud that our next step will help more ideas find their way onto paper.

Get to know the Ferris Wheel Press story and the people and values behind what we make.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Ferris Wheel Press Pen to Paper Bursary?

It is a bursary at OCAD University funded by the Ferris Wheel Press Foundation. It helps eligible students purchase analogue art and design materials for coursework, studio practice or creative development.

Who is eligible for the bursary?

Eligible OCAD University students must demonstrate financial need. OCAD University administers the application process and selects recipients.

When does the bursary begin, and how long is the commitment?

The bursary begins in the 2026–27 academic year. The Foundation has committed $10,000 CAD over five years, with scheduled annual contributions of $2,000 CAD.

How much support can a student receive?

Individual bursaries range from $500 to $1,000 CAD. The fund is expected to support approximately two to four students annually, depending on eligible need and available funding.

What can recipients purchase with the bursary?

Funds must be used for analogue art and design materials that support the recipient’s work at OCAD University. Eligible examples include pens, inks, paper, sketchbooks, calligraphy tools and comparable materials.

How can students find out about applying?

OCAD University manages the bursary application process. Students should contact the university’s Financial Aid team for application details and deadlines specific to this bursary.

Hi, I’m Raymond Yu, founder and CEO of Ferris Wheel Press. I’m passionate about building beautiful tools that inspire creativity, and even more passionate about serving our community with excellence. Thanks for being part of our story.