Artists, Province Celebrate Progress in Arts and Culture

Artists in Nova Scotia are receiving more recognition and support, and contributing more than ever to growth in the creative economy, thanks to actions on the five-point plan for arts and culture.

Leonard Preyra, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage, was joined at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia today, Feb. 27, by Arts Nova Scotia chair, Candace Stevenson, and Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council chair, Ron Bourgeois, to celebrate the second anniversary of the province's Five-Point Plan on Arts and Culture.

The plan was introduced in February 2011, with action under way on all fronts, including:

• Establishing Arts Nova Scotia (ANS), an independent body to oversee funding support for artists
• Forming the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council (CNSLC) from the Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council to advise government on arts and culture policy and lead the development of a provincial cultural strategy
• Passing the Status of the Artist legislation to support the development of Nova Scotian artists
• Developing a communications strategy for arts and culture, including new websites for both ANS and CNSLC
• Creating an interdepartmental committee to co-ordinate the province's efforts to support and fund arts and culture development

"Arts and Culture is a key driver of the creative economy that is shaping the future here at home and around the world," said Mr. Preyra. "I'm confident that our work on the five-point plan has helped to further develop this sector and will strategically position this province to reap the benefits of the creative economy for all Nova Scotians."

The province's arts and culture sector is estimated to have an economic impact of almost $1.2 billion dollars in Nova Scotia with 28,000 jobs directly or indirectly related to culture activities.

"The Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council took a leading role in helping the province move its five-point plan from conception to reality," said Mr. Bourgeois. "Our 15 members have volunteered their time in support of building a stronger arts and culture sector in Nova Scotia and it is with great pleasure that we help celebrate the plan's two-year anniversary."

Ms. Stevenson also introduced the first director of Arts Nova Scotia, Christopher Shore. In this new role, Mr. Shore will oversee the management of approximately $2.7 million in funding to professional artists and artistic organizations in Nova Scotia.

"We are extremely pleased and eager to begin working with Mr. Shore," said Ms. Stevenson. "He has more than seventeen years' experience leading and managing a number of cultural organizations in Nova Scotia and as a working artist, Christopher has a unique understanding of the challenges facing artists."

For more information on Arts Nova Scotia visit novascotia.ca/cch/learning/boards/artsns/.