News Release Archive
EDUCATION AND CULTURE--CREATION OF NOVA SCOTIA ARTS COUNCIL ----------------------------------------------------------- The province's first arts council, as introduced in legislation in the House of Assembly today, would enable the arts community to direct their own priorities and foster excellence in the arts in Nova Scotia. Specifically, the Nova Scotia Arts Council/Conseil des Arts de la Nouvelle-Ecosse would operate under two key principles. One, the council would operate at arms-length from government, ensuring that policy, program and funding decisions are based on artistic merit rather than political, commercial or other considerations. Second, the peer assessment principle would ensure that artists and their work would be evaluated by other artists or specialists with the knowledge and experience to make the right decisions to support excellence. The council would also advise government on arts policy, including arts education in the public schools. As well, the council would help raise public awareness of art and artists, help artists create and market their works, and promote research and development. In introducing the legislation, Education and Culture Minister John MacEachern gave credit to the 15-member steering committee, appointed by the premier this summer to recommend legislation, policies and programs related to the arts council. "Just as the council will enable the arts community to chart their own direction, these individuals have charted the direction and future of the council." "I applaud the committee, under Susan Gibson Garvey's leadership, for their excellent work," the minister said. "As a result, the council will create a climate which fosters excellence, diversity and vitality in the arts, contributing to the province's social and economic welfare." "With the establishment of the Nova Scotia Arts Council/Conseil des Arts de la Nouvelle Ecosse, history will be made," Ms. Gibson Garvey said. "This sends a very positive signal to all those involved in the arts and culture in Nova Scotia." In 1993, even before the growth in film and recording, arts and culture, as one of the fastest growing sectors, contributed more than $164 million to the province's economy. As part of the cultural enterprises agreement, the Department of Education and Culture and the Economic Renewal Agency will work to identify funding to support the council. As well, the legislation would see the creation of a Nova Scotia Arts Endowment Fund to allow the arts council to become less reliant over time on government funding. The steering committee has requested $1.5 million as a starting budget. The bill states that council membership would reflect the province's cultural, regional, ethnic, arts discipline, gender and generational diversity. The 15-member council would include at least one member each of the Mi'kmaq, Black and Acadian communities. Two current steering committee members would serve on the nominating committee to recommend the first permanent council members to the minister. -30- Contact: Donna MacDonald 902-424-2615 trp Nov. 1, 1995