The TD BIPOC Art & Design Fellowship (1-year opportunity)

The Walrus provokes new thinking and sparks conversation on matters vital to Canada. As a registered charity, we publish independent, fact-based journalism across platforms; produce national, ideas-focused events, including our flagship series The Walrus Talks; and train emerging storytellers through our fellowship program. The Walrus is invested in the idea that a healthy society relies on informed citizens.

The Fellowship program at The Walrus is one of the most highly sought-after in the industry. We are currently accepting applications for The Walrus Art and Design Fellowship to join our multidisciplinary art department and produce exceptional creative work for our Editorial, Marketing and Digital teams. This paid, one-year educational fellowship is open to early career Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) illustrators and designers. We are looking for candidates who are passionate about visual storytelling, bring a unique perspective to our brand expression, and possess the technical skills to support it.

There is one fellowship position available. 

Location: Toronto or remote (anywhere in Canada)

Who should apply:

• Early career creatives, looking to accelerate their growth toward visual design, through mentorship and training.
• Applicants may be an illustrator, graphic designer, or interactive designer interested in bringing your talents to a media organization.
• Applicants must identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Colour.
• Applicants must be based in Canada and should be available to work with us five days a week for 12 months.
• The successful candidate is motivated to use their artistic and design skills to tell impactful stories.

Job responsibilities

• Creating illustrations and photo illustrations for print and digital content
• Assisting with designing editorial story layouts
• Creating multimedia marketing content to support various departments and initiatives within the organization, such as The Walrus Talks, The Walrus Podcasts and fundraising events
• Contributing to the magazine’s print production process
• Working closely with the design director to develop and refine your aesthetic, completing the fellowship with a stronger portfolio than you began with.

Qualifications

• A degree or certificate in a visual design discipline, or the equivalent in work experience.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Figma, After Effects)
• A strong creative aesthetic Professionalism, excellent communication skills, and willingness to learn
• Ability to provide high quality work under tight timelines
• Ability to take constructive feedback
• Interest in current affairs and the news cycle

Salary range

This one-year position pays $800 per week for a thirty-five-hour workweek. Fellows receive ten days of annual vacation, plus statutory holidays. We also have half-day Fridays in the summer and a week off over the winter holiday season. The Walrus supports flexible, hybrid work, including a collaborative, open-office environment in downtown east Toronto. A laptop is provided, along with a free subscription to the print or digital edition of The Walrus and a deeply discounted rate for family and friends.

How to apply

Please send a cover letter, résumé, and portfolio (web link or select work in PDF format) to
careers@thewalrus.ca with the following subject line: “Art & Design Fellowship: [your name].” The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. ET on March 11, 2026. The start date for this position is April 1, 2026, and interviews will take place mid March over Zoom. Candidates will be asked to complete a design test, with an honorarium offered as compensation for the test. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Walrus is committed to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace. We value
employment equity and strongly encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, and racialized people; people with disabilities; people of all genders; and LGBTQ2+ people. If you require any accommodation in the recruitment process, please let us know by email at careers@thewalrus.ca.

This job is based in Toronto but could be remote (anywhere in Canada). As this is a full-time position, full-time students are ineligible. It is not recommended for part-time students except in very limited circumstances. Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada to qualify. Thank you for your interest.