News release

Heritage Projects Receive Funding

Tourism, Culture and Heritage (Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2011)

NOTE: A list of successful applicants follows this release.


The government is enhancing and developing heritage projects for the enjoyment of Nova Scotians across the province.

Twelve applicants for heritage projects will share $200,000
as part of the Strategic Development Initiative.

The Strategic Development Initiative encourages archives, community museums, municipal governments, regional development authorities, and non-profit groups to co-operate on projects that build on their community's heritage assets.

"Our partners have excellent ideas for sustainable made-in-Nova-Scotia heritage projects," said Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "We're pleased to help strengthen their ideas and the heritage sector through funding support."

Applicants must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • encourage the sale of arts and crafts made in Nova Scotia
  • develop financial support within the community
  • improve leadership and program skills of heritage board members, employees, and volunteers
  • develop strategies to communicate with new audiences
  • increase community co-operation around heritage resources

"Important support from this program assists the Association of Nova Scotia Museums with the capacity to provide real tools to engage, educate and help sustain community museums," said Anita Price, managing director of the Association of Nova Scotia Museums.

Applications are reviewed annually by a peer adjudication panel that makes its recommendation to the Heritage Division of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. The panel includes representatives from Nova Scotia's four heritage regions: Cape Breton, northeast, southwest, and central; the Association of Nova Scotian Museums; and the Council of Nova Scotia Archives.

The Strategic Development Initiative can provide a maximum financial contribution of 75 per cent toward a project.

A list of 2010-11 recipients is posted online at www.gov.ns.ca/tch/heritage_sdi.asp. The Strategic Development Initiative has supported 140 heritage projects since 2000.


Strategic Development Initiative 2010-11 Recipients:

  • Annapolis Heritage Society, $11,250 for a Heritage in Unusual Places festival.
  • Association of Nova Scotia Museums, $21,430 to create an outreach and advisory service for museums and training for a certificate in Museum Studies and $23,000 for a online database system and public website prototype to manage and display community museum collections.
  • Chester Heritage Society, $9,500 for an interpretive plan to demonstrate the contribution of American families to the Chester area.
  • Cole Harbour Heritage Farm, $14,400 for a consultant review of its management structure
  • Cumberland County Heritage Network, $11,250 for a video tool that will link 12 county museums in one virtual tour.
  • Cumberland County Museum, $9,383 for a consultant consultant review of its management structure.
  • Heritage Cape Breton Connection, $10,500 for a consultant to develop new a design for its communications and promotional material.
  • Parrsboro Shore Historical Society, $12,650 for a study and business plan to determine the needs of Ottawa House and Partridge Island.
  • Queens County Museum, $34,509 for a consultant to develop a feasibility study to expand the museum.
  • Ross Farm Museum, $3,750 for a consultant to develop its 2011-2014 Strategic Plan and $4,500 for a consultant to create a documentary film on the New Ross Freighters.
  • Shelburne Historical Society, $8,878 for a consultant to help increase the fundraising skills of its members.
  • Shubenacadie Canal, $25,000 for a fundraising campaign to restore Lock Three of the canal.