News release

Information Meetings to Review Culture

Tourism and Culture (Aug. 1999 - Dec. 2003)

TOURISM/CULTURE--Information Meetings to Review Culture Programs

Organizations working to develop and enhance Nova Scotia's cultural life are encouraged to attend a series of information sessions being organized by Nova Scotia's Department of Tourism and Culture.

The department's Culture Division is holding the evening sessions between Feb. 13 and March 7 to share information on programs that support the culture sector.

"We're encouraging all those involved in the culture sector to attend one of these sessions and learn about the department's new approach to programming," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture. "Already, our programs are working to strengthen cultural activities throughout Nova Scotia and to help increase the province's cultural exports."

The information sessions will focus on the Culture Division's new approach to programming, application processes and deadlines. The department is also encouraging input into a new regional and provincial advisory structure that will ensure that all regions of the province have a say in setting community cultural priorities.

The department's new approach to programming is based on four aspects of culture -- activities (such as workshops and festivals), organizations, industries and facilities -- with a separate program for youth. Staff have worked to clarify the application process and the criteria on which decisions are made.

"In revamping our programs, we wanted to ensure that they were as open as possible and for applications to be assessed on a fair and competitive basis," said Mr. MacDonald. "We've been successful in opening the doors to proposals we had not been able to consider before. This is an exciting and significant development not only for the department, but also for Nova Scotia's cultural life."

In Shelburne, the information session will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Coyle House, 24 Dock St. The Shelburne County Arts Council will host the session.

Other information sessions will be held in the following communities from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.:

  • Digby: Heritage Centre, 1 Prince William St., Feb. 14. Host: Digby and Area Arts Council

  • Mahone Bay: Mahone Bay Centre, 45 School St., Feb. 20. Host: Mahone Bay Centre

  • Wolfville: Wolfville Public Library, Front St., Feb. 21. Host: Alliance of Kings Artists

  • Antigonish: Bauer Theatre, St. FX University, Feb. 27. Host: Guysborough Antigonish Pictou Arts and Culture Council

  • Baddeck: Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site Auditorium, Feb. 28. Host: artsCape Breton

  • Amherst: Dominion Public Building, 98 Victoria St., March 6. Host: Tantramar Theatre Society

  • Dartmouth: Alderney Landing, March 7. Host: Department of Tourism and Culture

For more information, organizations can contact Peter Guildford, manager, Community Programs at 902-424-4179 or by e-mail, at [email protected] . They can also visit the Culture Division's page on the government Web site, at www.gov.ns.ca/dtc/culture.html .

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