New Program Will Support Cultural Industries

Nova Scotians will benefit from new funding and programs designed to encourage excellence in the arts, grow the culture sector and foster innovation.

Leonard Preyra, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage, was joined by Bob MacKinnon, acting president and CEO, Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation, to announce $2 million in new funding to help develop programs to support artistic, heritage, cultural and community interests across Nova Scotia.

The investment will be provided annually through Support4Culture, a new program developed in partnership with the lotteries and casino corporation.

"The diversity that defines our province comes through in our art, culture and heritage," said Mr. Preyra. "These sectors support vibrant communities, making life better for families in every part of the province. Investing in our culture is an investment in a vibrant future for Nova Scotia."

Government will work with the province's broad culture community to help grow the creative economy and expand opportunities for all Nova Scotians, with Support4Culture playing a key role.

"We are pleased to provide a meaningful way for adult Nova Scotians to contribute directly to arts and culture funding through a designated gaming product," said Mr. MacKinnon. "This is an effective and common practice in Canada and elsewhere for providing funding to areas that are important to citizens."

The Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, in consultation with the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council, Arts Nova Scotia and various heritage interests, will manage the Support4Culture funding.

"We applaud the province for making this significant investment in our sectors," said Ronald Bourgeois, chair of the leadership council. "This is the first funding increase in five years and will help Nova Scotia's arts and culture sector thrive. It is also consistent with the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council's recommendations to government."

The lottery product will be announced in the coming months. Funding applications, criteria and information about when and how decisions are made, will be available on the Communities, Culture and Heritage website in September.