Arc was started in 1978[1] by Carleton University professors Christopher Levenson, Michael Gnarowski and Tom Henighan.
[2] Arc became an independent not-for-profit organization unaffiliated with Carleton University after only a few issues.
[3] Arc has published works by significant Canadian poets such as Carol Shields, Don Domanski, Steven Heighton, Di Brandt, Erín Moure, Diana Brebner, George Elliott Clarke, Robin Skelton, Roo Borson, and Bronwen Wallace.
In addition to publishing and distributing the work of poets, Arc Poetry Magazine organizes and administers awards, contests, public readings and other events.
[4] The title refers to Michael Gnarowski's idea of "a poetry magazine that would counteract the burgeoning chauvinism, and be open to contributions from all quarters, a magazine that would not espouse Canadian nationalism as such, but would extend an 'arc' to encompass Canadian contributions, while by no means shutting the door on any writer because of his or her background, origins, political or aesthetic affiliations.