The mission of the Community Arts Network (CAN, API's primary project) is to promote information exchange, research and critical dialogue within the field of community-based arts, that is, art made as a voice and a force within a specific community of place, spirit or tradition. Based on a perceived need for more and better information and communication within and about the field, CAN is using Internet, research and library resources to create a hub for communication, documentation and evaluation of community-based artmaking in the U.S. and elsewhere. CAN is guided by a belief in knowledge grounded in practice, inclusion and intentional, cumulative learning.