Located at 805 East Genesee St., the Community Folk Art Center (CFAC) is a vibrant cultural and artistic hub committed to the promotion and development of artists of the African diaspora and from other ethnic origins. The mission of the center is to exalt cultural and artistic pluralism by collecting, exhibiting, teaching, and interpreting the visual and performing arts.

Public programming includes exhibitions, film screenings, gallery talks, workshops and courses in the studio, performing, and expressive arts. CFAC also creates a setting for dialogue and interaction among professional and emerging artists in central New York by offering exhibitions, work studies, and teaching opportunities.

Students and community members can participate at CFAC by teaching, displaying artwork, and working at the center. CFAC host arts education sessions for the public that include stone carving, ceramic, dance and music lessons.

A unit of the African American Studies Department at Syracuse University, CFAC was established by faculty and students—including Herbert T. Williams, David MacDonald, George Campbell, and Mary Schmidt Campbell, as well as by residents of central New York—in 1972. Today, CFAC supports SU’s Scholarship in Action initiative, providing a bridge between the university and city and a location perfect for people from both communities with similar ideas of joining together to reflect, respond and create.

Save the Date of Upcoming events

• 38th Annual Teenage Competitive Art Exhibition. From May 13-August 21, 2010, the exhibition provides an ongoing opportunity to recognize teenagers of African American, Hispanic American, Native American, and Asian American heritage, as well as those from other underrepresented groups, who demonstrate talent in the fine arts.

For more information, CFAC can be contacted by phone at (315) 442-2230 or via email at cfac@syr.edu.

For more information about all Connective Corridor venues, visit the Venues Armory Square section of this website.