Province to Consult Arts and Culture Community

The province is seeking advice and opinions from the arts and culture sector on government's role in supporting and fostering artistic and cultural activity.

The Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage has hired Horizons Community Development Associates Inc. of Wolfville to conduct the consultation.

"Arts and culture contribute to vibrant communities and strengthen our economy, making life better for Nova Scotia families," said Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.

"With this consultation, government is taking the first step toward keeping its commitment to address governance and funding for the arts and culture sector. I encourage everyone in the sector to help us determine principles that will guide the public's investment into arts and culture and help grow the creative economy."

The consultation process will allow the creative community to share their views through a series of public sessions, an online, mail or fax survey and one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders who represent a cross-section of the sector.

The public meetings will take place:

• Monday, Sept. 27, Wolfville, Acadia University, Clark Commons, 1:30 p.m to 4 p.m.
• Monday, Sept. 27, Yarmouth, Yarmouth Room, Grand Hotel, 417 Main Street, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 28, Halifax, Cavalier Room, Citadel Halifax Hotel, 1960 Brunswick Street, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 28, Dartmouth, Hawthorne/Sullivan Rooms, Holiday Inn Harbourview, 101 Wyse Road, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 29, Tantallon, Multipurpose Room, St. Margaret's Bay Centre, 12 Westwood Blvd., 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 29, French Session - via video conference, participate from any of the Universite Sainte-Anne campuses, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 30, Truro, MacDonald AB, Best Western Glengarry, 150 Willow St., 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 4, Antigonish, Conference Room A&B, Charles V. Keating Millennium Centre, St. Francis Xavier University, 1100 Convocation Blvd., 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 5, Membertou, Kluscap C, Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, 50 Maillard St., 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Wednesday Oct. 6, Liverpool, Lions Hall, 128 Gorham St., 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Information regarding the online, mail and fax surveys is available at www.gov.ns.ca/tch/culture-consultation.asp .

"We are looking forward to hearing from a broad range of stakeholders in the arts and culture sector who represent the diversity of Nova Scotia. Genuine leadership is only possible when all points of view are considered," said Mr. Paris.

Participants will have until Tuesday, Oct. 12 to complete the online, mail and fax surveys. A summary report will be made public after the consultation process.