HISTORY

CAFKA grew out of Artworks, an annual visual arts festival collaboratively run by the City of Kitchener and artists from the community. The two-day event was held in the Kitchener City Hall and consisted of an art sale, a cultural information exchange and 6 artist projects. The objective was to encourage the public to participate and see “art being made.”

In 2000 Artworks was re-evaluated and a group of artists from the region transformed the event into an artist run organization focused on presenting contemporary art projects in the public realm. That year nine projects were presented at the Kitchener City Hall. In 2001 the festival changed its name to CAFKA - Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener and Area, presented 17 projects by Canadian and international artists over nine days, and expanded its base to include Kitchener City Hall and environs. A volunteer board of directors and part time Artistic Director organized the forum, and in 2003 a Public Relations Coordinator was added. Until the festival incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2005, it operated under the umbrella of Globe Studios. After the 2005 event, CAFKA adopted a biennial format and the following year a full-time Executive Director and Artistic Director were hired. CAFKA received charitable status in 2011.

Each edition of CAFKA takes on an over-arching theme relating to the history or current preoccupations of the region. By having artists from across Canada and around the world participate, each theme has been explored from diverse social and cultural perspectives. In 2009, the festival included 26 installations, performances, projections and exhibitions involving collaborations with local art galleries and museums as well as collaborations in programming and marketing with the Impact Theatre Festival and Open Ears Festival of Music and Sound.