7a*11d formed in January 1997 out of a collective interest in Toronto''s burgeoning performance art activity. By August 1997, 13 foudning artists produced the first annual 7a*11d International Festival of Performance Art, featuring approximately 60 artists from Canada, the US, and Australia. 1998's 2nd International Festival of Performance Art was a two-part festival (in August and October), again with over 50 artists from Canada, the US, and Europe.

