CAFKA’s mission is to bring contemporary art outside the gallery so that it becomes accessible to everyone in Waterloo Region. CAFKA's programs must include equity-seeking concerns, particularly those of Black and Indigenous communities. 

CAFKA has developed an action plan outlining its commitment to BIPOC artists, community members, and volunteers. This plan acknowledges that BIPOC communities overlap with the LGBTQIA2S+ and disability communities, to whom CAFKA is also accountable. A brief summary of this action plan, which will continue evolving, is available below: 

 

Action Plan

What concrete actions is CAFKA taking to become more inclusive and accessible?

  • CAFKA actively recruits BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, and people with disabilities to our board, staff, and volunteer team, and is bringing their voices and efforts to the forefront of the decision-making process.
  • CAFKA will ensure future biennials include at least 30% BIPOC artists to reflect the demographics of Waterloo Region, as well as LGBTQIA2S+ artists and artists with disabilities. In 2019, CAFKA changed the biennial application process to foster both diversity and local relevance. CAFKA will increase its outreach to Black artists, who have historically been neglected in the biennial.
  • CAFKA ensures biennials and other programs are wheelchair-accessible, and will increase our programs’ accessibility to artists and community members with other disabilities. 
  • In addition to working with professional artists, CAFKA will increase collaborations with local residents and arts organizations representing groups who are marginalized, and sustain these relationships over the long term. 
  • CAFKA will never ask professionals to consult on anti-racism for free; they will always be fairly compensated.
  • CAFKA will always reject art that promotes white supremacy and other forms of hate and discrimination (including but not limited to racism, anti-Indigeneity, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism). 
  • CAFKA is developing an anti-racist code of conduct and an anti-harassment policy to ensure a safe environment for staff, artists, audience members, volunteers, and board and committee members.