The Canadian Portrait Academy (CPA), is a professional Canadian art academy dedicated to the practice and appreciation of portraiture within Canada and abroad. History In 1996, Canadian artist and historian Christian Corbet visited the studios and corresponded with a number of portrait artists. In 1997 the Canadian Portrait Academy was established. The Canadian Portrait Academy's first annual exhibition was held in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1998. Activities The Canadian Portrait Academy sponsors exhibitions through its permanent collection and the files that it houses.