It was founded in 1973[1] by eight artists (Martin Bartlett, Mo van Nostrand, Kate Craig, Henry Greenhow, Glenn Lewis, Eric Metcalfe, Michael Morris, Vincent Trasov [2]) who wanted to create a space for the exploration and creation of new art forms.

After they purchased the former Knights of Pythias lodge hall located in Mount Pleasant, Vancouver,[3] it quickly became a centre for poets, dancers, musicians and visual artists interested in exploration and interdisciplinary practices.

[6][7] Over more than 40-years, the Western Front has promoted critical investigations into and surrounding interdisciplinary, media-based, anti-object, and ephemeral practices with particular attention to the contexts and economies in which art is produced.

The Western Front still continues to program events and exhibitions related to these genres, but no longer supports fully dedicated departments.

[12] The volume features essays by Peter Culley, Karen Knights, Judy Radul, Alex Varty and William Wood in addition to a comprehensive chronology of Western Front's events during its beginning years [12]