CAHEP began as a pilot project funded through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). A Network Group with 18 stakeholders in arts and heritage offered suggestions and collaborative input to help develop CAHEP's programming and resources. Part way through its second year, a small working group from the original Steering Committee refined our mandate/vision and created our constitution and by-laws, becoming the first CAHEP Board. In February 2005, CAHEP was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization and in June 2005, we received our Charitable Status.

We create programming that is student/child/youth centered in that they are the leaders in the creative process facilitated by the artists/arts educators in collaboration with educators/community leaders.

Artists, heritage programmers, performers and arts and heritage organizations will benefit as their profiles will be increased through exposure in the Thunder Bay Arts and Heritage Directory for Educators and the CAHEP website. Their availability as community based arts professionals will be promoted directly to principals and teachers at individual schools, as well as to parents,organizations and the community.

The benefits of arts and heritage based learning are endless. When we nurture our children, students, and community in arts and heritage, we are creating future citizens who will support both. Arts and heritage can build and help celebrate our sense of community.