Fonds F1343 - Kingston and District Folk Arts Council fonds

In 1967 Wenzel Raabe and Ernest Prohaska conceived of a council consisting of ethnic groups in the Kingston area interesred in the presentation of folk arts native to Canada, as well as those brought to this nation by people all over the world. The original organizations which responded to this call were: Portugese Folk Group, Ukranians, Kingston Allemander Square Dance, Kingston Hungarian Club, Boys from the Austrian Alps,and the German Club Rheingild. Between 1967-1969 the Kingston and District Folk Arts Council was governed by a Steering committee chaired by James S. Sutherland. This body aimed towards the formal organization of a Council and the initiation of a program of activities, some of which could warrant financial support from the Canada Folk Arts Council. Above all, the committee was given the responsibility of drafting a constitution and contacting as many interested parties as possible. In 1969 the Kingston and District Folk Arts Councol adopted their formal constitution, which was later amended in 1971 and 1974. Also, in 1974, the Ontario government under the Minister of Consumer and Commercial relations presented the Council with a charter. By 1979 the Council had expanded to include over twenty groups. The Kingston and District Folk Arts Council has financial and administrative connections with both the Ontario Folk Arts Council and the Canada Folk Arts Council. The Council's main function is staging shows and festivals focusing on ethnic music and dance.