Changes Help Art Gallery Plan for Future

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia will be able to make more efficient decisions about operations and pursue new fundraising opportunities to strengthen its role as the region's leading fine art institution.

Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leonard Preyra introduced changes to legislation today, Nov. 13, to eliminate the need to seek cabinet approval for operational decisions by the gallery's board and clear the way for an independent foundation to oversee fundraising for gallery special projects.

"The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is crucial to the arts landscape in our region and we want it to continue as a leader in promoting art appreciation and education," said Mr. Preyra. "A strong gallery promotes opportunities for Nova Scotia's visual artists and puts arts and culture at the heart of a vibrant community that makes life better for Nova Scotia's families.

"We want to support the gallery's board as they plan for the future. We're committed to growth in our creative economy, and the changes introduced today underline that the gallery's board and the government want the gallery to remain a leader in arts programming."

The gallery will now be able to make decisions in a more business-like way which will allow it to play a stronger role to strengthen the arts in Nova Scotia.

"The board of governors of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is delighted to see these important changes to the gallery's governance structure," said board chair Mark Bursey. "These amendments will aid the gallery in its mission of engaging people with art and permit change that will position us to build on our strong foundation as Nova Scotia's art museum."

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia oversees the province's art collection, advances public access to the collection and provides opportunities for Nova Scotians to increase their knowledge of fine art.

FOR BROADCAST:

The province is amending the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Act

to allow the board of the gallery to make operational decisions

without needing cabinet approval.

The act is also being changed to allow an independent

foundation to be created to raise funds for special projects at

the gallery.

Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leonard Preyra

says the gallery is crucial to the province's arts community and

the changes will support the board in planning for a bright

future.