News release

National Artist Program for 2005 Canada Games

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

TOURISM, CULTURE AND HERITAGE--National Artist Program for 2005 Canada Games


Four young Nova Scotians will take part in a national artist residency program during the 2005 Canada Games in Regina in August.

The National Artist Program will bring together 52 young artists and creative athletes from across Canada to take part in a collaborative residency program during the Games. Creative athletes represent a sport that recognizes artistic merit, such as diving, synchronized swimming, extreme sports, gymnastics, etc.

"This will be an exciting opportunity for emerging artists and creative athletes in Nova Scotia," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "The National Artist Program will enhance their appreciation of the pursuit of excellence through sport and cultural activity."

The program represents a variety of artistic disciplines including literary, visual and performing arts, traditional cultural and folk practices, and circus arts. The primary objective is to create artistic works inspired by and representative of the spirit of the Canada Games. Ten professional Saskatchewan artists will mentor the participants and challenge them to use the games as the inspiration for their art.

Participants will work together to find parallels between the athlete and the artist, such as the physical body, passion and the drive for excellence. The slogan for the 2005 Games, No Limits, will provide participants with a good starting point for their artistic works.

Nova Scotia will use a peer assessment process to select three artists and one creative athlete -- between the ages of 17 and 23

  • to represent the province at the Games.

The Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage is accepting applications for the program. The application deadline is Jan. 30, 2005. More information is available on the department's website, www.gov.ns.ca/dtc/culture , or by calling 902-424-2812.

In addition to the four National Artist Program participants, Team Nova Scotia will have a maximum of 357 athletes, 65 coaches and managers, and 18 mission staff in Regina for the Games, Aug. 6-20, 2005.