Funding Awarded for Arts and Culture Organizations Impacted By COVID-19

COVID-19 restrictions that have been keeping people safe and healthy have also prevented many arts and culture activities from taking place. To help organizations adapt and maintain their operations through this difficult time, the province is awarding $2.1 million in one-time grants.

“This funding will help arts and culture organizations continue to operate, produce work and tell the stories of who we are as Nova Scotians,” said Suzanne Lohnes-Croft, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage. “These organizations make an important economic and social contribution to communities across our province. They show up for us, and this is a moment when we need to show up for them.”

Eighty-nine organizations will benefit from the provincial investment, including the Acadia Cinema Cooperative, which will receive $19,715 to continue to operate the historic Acadia Cinema building in Wolfville. Its facilities, which include the Al Whittle Theatre, Studio-Z and Jack’s Gallery, play an important role in encouraging, supporting and sustaining Nova Scotia’s cultural community in the Annapolis Valley and beyond.

A complete list of the grant recipients is available here:
https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-in-our-future

Quote:

“This investment from the province is vital to the ongoing financial health and viability of the historic Acadia Cinema building. Having lost a large percentage of our rental income this past year, and facing an unclear future, these funds will assist us as we plan for and work towards a new vision for the cultural and community hub that this building represents. These funds are helping us to bridge the gap until we can welcome full audiences back into our theatre and once again be the cultural hub for lovers of film, music and theatre in our community and beyond.”

– Mary Harwell, theatre manager, Acadia Cinema's Al Whittle Theatre

Quick Facts:

• the COVID-19 Emergency Support Program for Arts and Culture Organizations was announced in November as a one-time, application-based program to help organizations who either receive Communities, Culture and Heritage operating funding or who regularly receive project funding from the department
• during the pandemic, the department has also offered other programs to support arts and culture organizations, including a digital stream through the Creative Industries Fund and a COVID-19 Response Grant through Arts Nova Scotia
• in Nova Scotia, the culture sector is valued at $929 million and provides more than 13,000 jobs

Additional Resources:

Communities, Culture and Heritage: https://cch.novascotia.ca/

Nova Scotia Culture Action Plan: https://novascotia.ca/culture/