News release

Greater Support for Arts, Culture Announced at Gala

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

Nova Scotia's arts and culture sector will get an additional $45,000 in awards funding and the support of a new committee that will help provide a co-ordinated approach to cultural development and spending across government.

Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Len Goucher made the two announcements at the Creative Nova Scotia Conference and Awards Gala held Thursday, Oct. 19, in Pictou.

"Culture impacts all areas of our lives -- from health to education, from justice to economic development," Mr. Goucher said during his announcement. "By working together with other government departments, we can better strengthen and develop the arts and culture sector and increase its contribution to our economy and quality of life."

The recommendation for greater collaboration on culture within government comes from a report submitted to the department by the Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council in late 2005. Creative Nova Scotia: How Arts and Culture Can Help Build a Better Nova Scotia contains a total of 10 recommendations for the sector's sustainability and growth.

"The report and recommendations are based on extensive consultations with the arts and culture sector," said Paul Gallant, chair of the Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council. "It highlights the need for increased awareness and support in order for the sector to prosper."

The new arts awards funding was also recommended by the Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council and endorsed by the province of Nova Scotia. It is in addition to the close to $8 million the province invests in arts and culture each year.

The new $45,000 investment will be broken down into a number of new awards, grants and scholarship funding, including:

  • $25,000 for the newly created Artist Growth and Sustainability awards, which will support the growth and sustainability of established artists. Five awards in the amount of $5,000 will be given annually to artists in any of the following disciplines: music; dance and theatre; visual arts; literature; and new media and design.

  • $10,000 in grants to support developing young artists through the Nova Scotia Talent Trust and the newly created Youth Arts Scholarship program. Seven-thousand dollars will be invested in the trust to help more young artists with exceptional potential and commitment become established in their chosen fields. Three-thousand dollars will be directed towards the new scholarship program to help disadvantaged children in Nova Scotia overcome barriers that may prevent or limit their study in any of the arts disciplines.

  • $10,000 for a newly created Community Award, designed to encourage the promotion, development and continued investment in arts and cultural activities in Nova Scotia communities. The award will be presented each year to recognize excellence in integrating arts and culture into overall community planning.

The new awards funding will come from a portion of the investment interest on the Nova Scotia Arts Endowment Fund. This means the fund will be able to facilitate the growth of the sector, while remaining protected for the long-term.

The overall importance of arts and culture in building stronger communities was the focus of the first annual Creative Nova Scotia Conference, sponsored by the Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council.

"The conference provided an excellent opportunity for artists and cultural organizations to learn, share and celebrate initiatives that will further strengthen the arts and culture sector in Nova Scotia," said Mr. Gallant.

The event, which drew close to 200 members from the province's arts and culture community, featured a panel presentation and discussion by officials in the fields of health, education, justice, community development and tourism. Ron Stewart, Hal Theriault, Eric Favaro, Chris Bryant and Ron MacInnis all talked about the role of arts and culture in their respective sectors.

The event also included a keynote address by Antoine Landry, mayor of Caraquet, N.B. Mr. Landry spoke about the importance of investing in cultural development and how, with the right focus and investment, Caraquet was transformed from a single-industry town to a cultural capital of Canada.

The Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council was established in 2003. In consultation with the arts and culture sector, it provides advice and recommendations to guide the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage regarding ongoing investment in Nova Scotia's artists, cultural industries and cultural activities. More specific information about these new awards, including criteria, deadlines and more, will soon be available on the website.