Our Mission
CAHEP creates inclusive, culturally diverse, and intergenerational arts and heritage programs that engage Thunder Bay residents of all ages, with a focus on communities that face barriers to participation. Through high-quality, artist-led initiatives, we foster creativity, connection, and understanding by bringing arts education directly into schools, community spaces, and neighborhoods. Our work not only showcases the artistic voices of participants but also strengthens the local arts ecosystem by providing financial support and professional development opportunities for emerging and established artists alike.
Our Vision
We envision a community where the arts are accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background, or circumstance. A community where creativity is valued as a pathway to healing, self-expression, and connection, and where artists are supported as leaders who help build a more inclusive, vibrant, and culturally rich Thunder Bay.
The Story Of CAHEP
Founded in 2005, CAHEP (Community Arts & Heritage Education Project) was created to ensure that art is not a privilege, but a shared community resource. From its earliest days, CAHEP has been rooted in the belief that the arts can transform lives by breaking down barriers, fostering cultural exchange, and amplifying underrepresented voices.
Over the years, our programs have brought professional artists into classrooms, community centers, and public spaces, creating opportunities for children, families, and elders to learn, create, and share together. We have seen firsthand how a child’s first brushstroke, a family’s shared storytelling session, or a senior’s contribution to an intergenerational mural can ignite confidence, pride, and belonging.
Today, CAHEP continues to grow as both a catalyst for creativity and a connector of people. We travel to where communities are — from schools and libraries to cultural festivals and outdoor spaces — ensuring our programming is accessible, affordable, and responsive to local needs. At the same time, we invest in the next generation of artists by offering mentorship, professional development, and financial support, helping to sustain a vibrant arts community in Northwestern Ontario.
Meet Christine Battle
As Artistic Director, Christine Battle leads CAHEP’s creative vision with a deep commitment to accessibility, collaboration, and community impact. With years of experience in arts education and program development, Christine believes that art has the power to connect people across generations, cultures, and experiences.
Her leadership is rooted in supporting artists as both educators and community builders, ensuring that every program reflects CAHEP’s mission to make creativity a shared experience for all. Under her direction, CAHEP continues to grow as a vibrant network of artists, schools, and partners who bring meaningful art experiences to Thunder Bay and beyond.
2024-25 impact by the numbers
Every number tells a story of connection, learning, and imagination. Through partnerships with schools, artists, and community organizations, CAHEP brings meaningful arts experiences to people of all ages across Thunder Bay. Together, we’re building a stronger, more creative community, one project, one artist, and one participant at a time.
Participants Reached
Projects Deliverred
Artists Engaged
Voices of Support
Endorsements from community and government leaders who recognize CAHEP’s vital role in enriching Thunder Bay’s cultural and educational landscape.
Minister of Jobs and Families
Land Acknowledgement
The Community Arts & Heritage Education Project (CAHEP) acknowledges that the land on which we live, work, and create is the traditional territory of the Ojibway people of Fort William First Nation, signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850. We also recognize the presence and contributions of Métis, Inuit, and non-status Indigenous peoples who share this territory.
We honour the history, languages, and cultures of the Indigenous peoples who have lived here since time immemorial and continue to shape Northwestern Ontario today. CAHEP is committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation by listening, learning, and engaging in meaningful action.
Through our programs, partnerships, and organizational practices, we strive to respect Indigenous voices and stories, ensure equitable access to the arts, and foster spaces where truth and creativity can support healing and understanding.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At CAHEP, diversity, equity, and inclusion are not add-ons, they are central to who we are and how we operate. We believe that the arts have the power to bring people together, celebrate difference, and challenge inequity. Our commitment is to build programs and organizational practices that reflect and serve the full diversity of Thunder Bay, with special focus on those who face systemic barriers to participation.
We welcome and support people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, abilities, gender identities, and socio-economic circumstances. Our programs are designed to be accessible and inclusive, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to engage in meaningful artistic experiences.
CAHEP also works actively to support artists from underrepresented communities by providing financial assistance, professional development, and opportunities to share their voices. We recognize that equity is an ongoing process, and we are dedicated to learning, adapting, and evolving alongside the communities we serve.
Our Sponsors
Our sponsors make creativity possible. Their support helps us bring meaningful art experiences to communities across Thunder Bay.
Want to make art possible in Thunder Bay?
Your donations go a long way in bringing the community together and providing everyone with the access to arts and education.