Members Announced for New Arts and Culture Partnership Council

TOURISM/CULTURE--Members Announced for New Arts and Culture Partnership Council

The first members of the new Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council were announced today, March 26, by Tourism and Culture Minister Rodney MacDonald.

The council will have 15 representatives, 13 from the arts and culture community and two from government.

"These volunteers are very active in their communities and in developing and promoting the benefits of a healthy arts and culture sector," said Mr. MacDonald. "They bring a wide range of experience and an enthusiasm to work as a partner with government for the benefit our artists, filmmakers, musicians, writers and others."

The partnership council will consult with the sector and make recommendations to the minister on planning, design, and delivery of arts and culture programs in Nova Scotia.

The new members are:

• From the Cape Breton region: Donald Ferguson, Glace Bay; Joella Foulds, Southside Boularderie; Paul Gallant, Cheticamp.

• From the northern Nova Scotia region: Ted Cavanagh, Centre Burlington; Wayne MacGillivary, Pictou; Ken Schwartz, Canning; Donna Wellard, Truro.

From the metro Halifax region: Michael Ardenne, Seabright; Jenni Blackmore, Seaforth; John Wesley-Chisholm, Halifax; Terry Kelly, Halifax; Laura MacNutt, Dartmouth.

• From the southern region: Timothy Gillespie, Shelburne.

• From the Nova Scotia Government: Dianne Coish, executive director of the culture division, Department of Tourism and Culture; Frances Martin, executive director of the corporate affairs division, Department of Tourism and Culture.

The selection committee included:
Actor and theatre director Eva Moore, chair of the Culture Sector Team; Dale MacLennan, arts volunteer and Culture Sector Team member; Tiiu Poder, educator with St. Francis Xavier University Enterprise Development Centre; Paula Davis of Island Quilt Market in Port Hawkesbury; and Dianne Coish, executive director, culture division, Department of Tourism and Culture.

Thirty-five applications were received from individuals across the province. Future recommendations for membership will be forwarded by a selection committee set up by the new partnership council.

"The selection committee has respected the recommendation that all regions of the province be represented on the new council," said Mr. MacDonald. "I look forward to working with this new partnership council which will have an important role in shaping the province's arts and culture sector."

Arrangements are now being made to schedule the partnership council's first meeting.

Following is brief biographical information on members of the Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council.

From the Cape Breton region:

• Donald Ferguson, Glace Bay Manager of the Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay, Mr. Ferguson has extensive experience in arts and culture and was a member of the Culture Sector Team that prepared the report of recommendations on the new partnership council.

• Joella Foulds, Southside Boularderie Co-owner and president of Rave Entertainment in Sydney, Ms. Foulds has extensive experience in broadcasting and events management, including Celtic Colours and the East Coast Music Awards.

• Paul Gallant, Cheticamp Executive director of Le Conseil des arts de Cheticamp, Mr. Gallant has extensive experience in Acadian arts and culture.

From the northern Nova Scotia region:

• Ted Cavanagh, Centre Burlington A professor at Dalhousie School of Architecture, Mr. Cavanagh's work has been displayed in many art galleries across Canada.

• Wayne MacGillivary, Pictou Chair of the deCoste Entertainment Centre in Pictou, Mr. MacGillivary is co-founder of the Hector Festival.

• Ken Schwartz, Canning Artistic director of Two Planks and a Passion Theatre, a published playwright and a journalist, Mr. Schwartz was a member of the former Nova Scotia Arts Council.

• Donna Wellard, Truro Campaign manager for St. F. X. University in Antigonish, Ms. Wellard is a former actress and has extensive international experience in theatre management.

From the metro Halifax region:

• Michael Ardenne, Seabright President of Ardenne International Inc., Artist and Event Management, Mr. Ardenne has a background as an artist, arts administrator and entrepreneur. He is a former chair of the Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia and was a member of the Culture Sector Team that prepared the report of recommendations on the new partnership council.

• Jenni Blackmore, Seaforth With a background as a professional writer and artist, Ms. Blackmore is also co-ordinator of the ArtsSmarts program that introduces artists into school programs as a learning tool and as an inspiration for future artists.

• John Wesley-Chisholm, Halifax President and senior producer of Arcadia Entertainment Inc., Mr. Wesley-Chisholm has extensive experience in film, music and publishing and has Juno, Genie, Atlantic Film Festival and ECMA awards and nominations to his credit.

• Terry Kelly, Halifax Multiple award winning singer, songwriter and entertainer, Mr. Kelly also has extensive experience in public speaking and is an accomplished athlete.

• Laura MacNutt, Dartmouth A corporate art director in film and television production, Ms. MacNutt has a background in fine arts, commerce, architecture, planning and visual communications.

From the southern region:

• Timothy Gillespie, Shelburne Owner of the Waterfront Gallery in historic Shelburne, Mr. Gillespie is a former actor, former chair of the Shelburne County Arts Council, and a current board member of the Osprey Arts Centre.

From the Nova Scotia Government:

• Dianne Coish is executive director of the culture division, Department of Tourism and Culture.

• Frances Martin is executive director of the corporate affairs division, Department of Tourism and Culture.