Transition Committee for Arts Nova Scotia Announced

NOTE: Biographies for committee members follow this release.

The province continues to make support for arts and culture a priority by selecting a four-member committee to help establish Arts Nova Scotia, an independent body to oversee funding that will go directly to artists.

The committee was announced today, May 17, by Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage David Wilson.

"Once again we're ensuring the arts and culture community has a strong voice in determining the province's priorities for supporting creative excellence," said Mr. Wilson. "I'm looking forward to receiving input from the transition committee as we move toward establishing Arts Nova Scotia."

Committee members will recommend terms of reference to set out Arts Nova Scotia's purpose, role and responsibilities and to recommend criteria for appointments to the body. The province intends to create Arts Nova Scotia this fall.

MLA Pam Birdsall, ministerial assistant for the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage and a founding member of the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council, will chair the committee and is joined by:

• Paul Caskey, artistic director with Live Art Dance Productions.
• Leah Hamilton, of Genesis Consulting, an arts consulting company.
• Christopher Shore, executive director of Theatre Nova Scotia.

"Improving the quality of resources available to our artists and arts organizations is a key step in assuring Nova Scotian artists remain a vital part of our society," said Paul Caskey of Live Art Dance Productions. "I look forward to contributing to the development of a strong Arts Nova Scotia."

"I want to thank the committee members for volunteering their time for this important project," said Mr. Wilson. "They bring a broad range of experience in arts and culture and that will be invaluable for shaping the framework for Arts Nova Scotia."

Arts Nova Scotia is part of a five-point plan to strengthen the arts and culture sector announced by the province in February. The plan was based on extensive consultations with the public and members of the sector carried out in fall 2010.

Biographies of transition committee members:

• Pam Birdsall is an MLA and ministerial assistant for the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage. She is a founding member, past vice-president and former chair of the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council. Deeply involved with the arts community, Ms. Birdsall has been the co-owner of Birdsall-Worthington Pottery in Mahone Bay where she has been a long-time resident. She is a recipient of the Women of Excellence Award from the Halifax Progress Club.

• Paul Caskey is artistic director of Live Art Dance Productions and has a long history of involvement with Canada's professional dance community. He has been a dancer, choreographer, lighting designer and artistic director in a career that has spanned the country. Mr. Caskey has created original dance productions and served as co-artistic director of Studio 303.

• Leah Hamilton is a consultant with Genesis Consulting of Halifax, a firm that specializes in projects in the arts field. Ms. Hamilton's work has included planning and organizational development in the arts and culture, heritage and tourism fields. She was a member of the former Provincial Arts Council from 1999-2002. Her involvement with the arts and culture sector has included serving as treasurer for Eastern Front Theatre, a past member of the executive for Theatre Nova Scotia and currently as a member of the Nova Scotia Masterworks Awards Foundation.

• Christopher Shore is executive director of Theatre Nova Scotia, whose career has spanned radio, stage, film and television. A successful actor, he has appeared on stage with Neptune Theatre, Tarragon Theatre, the National Arts Centre and Eastern Front Theatre and in the films Sea Wolf, October 1970 and Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion. Mr. Shore has written for the stage, radio programs and a children's animated television series. His play, Liar, won a best new play award at the 2001 Robert Merritt Awards.