Founded in 2002 and located in an 1856 heritage schoolhouse, ECFTA is Centre Wellington, Ontario’s arts and cultural hub. We are a charitable organization that promotes, teaches and nourishes the creation and appreciation of the arts through exhibitions, events and workshops for all ages that are accessible to everyone. ECFTA fosters creative expression in all its forms, is a vibrant and integral component to the health of our community, and services the community year around. We are home to 12 long-term, creative sector tenants who share our vision for the Centre through their work in arts, culture, community-building and education. Tenants include the Elora Singers & Elora Festival, Riverfest Elora, the Schoolhouse Arts Cooperative and the Fergus Elora Academy of Dance, amongst others.  

ECFTA is a leading exhibitor in the region. Gallery spaces feature the work of hundreds of artists and artisans annually, welcoming over 20,000 visitors. We are also active in arts education, offering camps, school outreach programs and workshops. A core objective of the ECFTA is to make a meaningful impact within our community by addressing identified needs through art and creativity. This approach has led us to develop outreach programs that support marginalized groups, including individuals with disabilities, youth in recovery from addiction, and low-income families, with a focus on mental health, resilience and community-building. Our outreach efforts have seen exponential growth in recent years, with free participant spots increasing from 200 in 2019 to 2,000 last year.