About Us
Founded by ethnic Toronto community leaders in 1964, the Community Folk Art Council (CFAC) was established to support folk and community-based artists in the city whose practices are rooted in cultural heritage, lived experience, and community storytelling. Bringing together community groups to learn about each other’s cultures, ensuring the transmission of those cultures to the next generations and broadcasting this intangible culture to a wider public is the remit of CFAC.
Through collaborative programming, partnerships, and artist support initiatives, CFAC strengthens the capacity of artists while fostering inclusive cultural participation across Toronto.
Our Mandate
- To support the creation and presentation of folk and traditional arts
- To increase access to artistic opportunities for under-represented communities
- To provide professional development and knowledge-sharing opportunities for artists
- To build sustainable partnerships that strengthen Toronto’s cultural ecosystem
Historical Milestones & Major Highlights
Since the early 1960s, CFAC has played a vital role in celebrating and advancing folk and cultural arts in Toronto and beyond. From early Ethnic Weeks and Easter and Christmas Around the World festivals to landmark appearances at Expo 67, Canada Day celebrations, and major civic venues, CFAC has consistently brought diverse cultural traditions into public life.
Over the decades, CFAC has produced and partnered on multicultural festivals, national conferences, international folklore exchanges, community celebrations, and educational initiatives, presenting artists from across Canada and around the world. Longstanding highlights include festivals at City Hall, Nathan Phillips Square, the CNE, Ontario Place, Yonge–Dundas Square, and major shopping and cultural centres across the GTA.
CFAC’s leadership has evolved across generations, with Aleida Limbertie, Catherine Limbertie, Wendy Limbertie, and most recently Paromita Kar guiding the organization through periods of growth, innovation, and resilience—including a successful transition to virtual programming during the pandemic.
Today, CFAC continues its legacy through signature events such as the Multicultural Canada Day Festival and Identities: A Multi-Art Festival, offering inclusive platforms for cultural expression, community connection, and living traditions—both in-person and online.