This is our bi-weekly newsletter of opportunities and information for artists. Become a member of VANS online and we’ll email this newsletter to you. Click on items in the index at the top of the page to visit different sections of the VANS Newsletter. Learn more about each opportunity by clicking on the colourful links to visit their website.

Want to submit something for the next newsletter? Check out the VANS Promotion Guide for details on what we need and then send us an email with your event/ program/ opportunity info. Something missing? Let us know!

VANS Newsletter #567
April 17, 2024

INDEX:

VANS Matters
Announcements
Awards and Funding
Education
Employment
Events
Residencies
Submissions
Nova Scotia Exhibition Listings

VANS Matters

VANS is seeking 4 – 6 creative individuals engaged with the arts in Nova Scotia to stand for election to our Board of Directors and support our new Strategic Plan. Help us build a future where a career as an artist is accessible, sustainable, and recognized as an integral part of our communities across Nova Scotia. We encourage and welcome applications from everyone, however, we are very interested in filling experiential gaps on our Board of Directors. At this time, we have identified a need for individuals who have policy, and/or fundraising experience, and we are also prioritizing increased representation from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of the Global Majority, Disabled, self-taught, and folk artists. VANS Board members are based throughout the province and 30% of whom will be designated from outside Halifax Regional Municipality. Board member terms are a two year commitment. Directors may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms for a total commitment of four years max. To increase access to Board participation, VANS provides volunteer board and committee members reimbursements of meal allowances and childcare costs to encourage participation in virtual meetings. Apply using our Board Nomination Form: https://forms.gle/FmdUW1gC1gM2xyLj9. Deadline:  April 30, 2024. 11:59pm AT.

Two more online workshops are coming up in the Spring Workshop Series and you can register today. Next is Online Marketing for Artists with Stacey Cornelius (Wednesday, April 17, 7 – 9pm) covering websites, email lists, social media, and online selling. The final workshop in the series is the much-requested Contracts & Copyright Basics with Sydney Lancaster (Wednesday, April 24, 7 – 9 pm)! Workshops are $40 for VANS Members and you can register online or send a cheque or e-transfer. Want the workshop content but can’t make it that day? All registered participants are sent a link to a recording of the workshop that they can access for two weeks afterward.

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If you want to renew your VANS membership for 2024 but find the membership fee out of reach right now, consider applying for a Membership Bursary. Membership Bursaries provide artists in need of financial support with a VANS membership (which runs from January 1 – December 31). There’s no deadline to apply and applications are confidential. Recipients of the bursary will receive a .pdf of Visual Arts News magazine instead of the print-mailed version, but other than that the bursary membership has the same benefits as any other VANS membership.

Renew your VANS membership! If you selected an automatically renewing membership when you joined or renewed last time, then it automatically charged your 2024 membership fees on December 1, 2023. If you haven’t purchased an auto-renewing membership, you can renew your membership online here or by sending a cheque along with a Membership Form to VANS, 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax, NS, B3H 4P7.  You can also send an e-transfer to communicate@visualarts.ns.ca – just make sure you also send an email with your contact info so we can update our records. Not sure if you signed up for an automatically renewing membership? Log in to the VANS website then, in the Membership Details section of your account, you can adjust your membership type and opt in or out of auto-renew. VANS also has membership bursaries. We understand that membership fees can be prohibitive for some artists, so we have fully funded 2024 memberships. If you joined or renewed since October your membership will not expire until December 31, 2024.

Visual Arts Nova Scotia is pleased to officially announce the participants of this year’s Mentorship Program. After receiving some great applications, the program will be supporting four dedicated emerging artists in Nova Scotia. Barbara Brown Conrod, Kordeena Clayton, Kristi Farrier, and Pam Juarez and have been individually paired with established artists and mentors Susan Tooke, Duane Jones, Onni Nordman, and Eryn Foster. Learn more about this year’s participants here.

Did you know that VANS has an Artist Emergency Fund? VANS established the Artist Emergency Fund to assist artists in financial need arising from severe illness, an accident resulting in inability to work or help with studio replacement in case of a disaster, such as fire, where there is no insurance. VANS Members are able to apply for short-term assistance, up to $500/month for three months maximum. The fund has been used in recent years to help member artists who have been injured in a car accident, had a surgery that prevented them from working, who were ineligible for benefits but could not work during the pandemic, whose studio was damaged by natural disasters, and more. The fund is supported in part by donations from VANS members – and we are so grateful for their generosity! If you would like to make a donation to the Artist Emergency Fund you can do so anytime here.

So happy together! We’re glad to say goodbye to our stand-alone PAINTS (Professional Artists In The Schools) website and integrate it with the VANS website. You’ll find everything you need to become a PAINTS artist, for teachers to request workshops for their schools, or even just check out the fun, engaging workshops that are offered through PAINTS. https://visualarts.ns.ca/paints. So great to be together under one umbrella. For questions about PAINTS, reach out to Andrea Ritchie, PAINTS Co-ordinator at paints@visualarts.ns.ca.

A subscription to Visual Arts News makes the perfect gift for the art-lover in your life and costs just $22. Two times a year, your gift recipients will be reminded of your generosity and good taste when you give them a year-long subscription to Visual Arts News, the magazine that is an ongoing conversation inspired by the artistic vision of artists and writers pushing the boundaries of art and culture in Atlantic Canada. Order, here: https://visualartsnews.ca/subscribe/

Without the generosity of its many supporters, VANS could not offer such a wide range of programs and services. Last year over 30% of our total expenses were fees paid out directly to artists in Atlantic Canada and with more donations, more artists can be paid! Here are some examples of how your donation could support an artist at VANS:

• $50 supports a membership bursary
• $240 supports a three-hour PAINTS project
• $500 supports one month of Artist Emergency Funding

Donate $20 or more to receive a charitable tax receipt. Donate before December 31 to include it in your tax deductions.

At VANS, we love sharing events and news from Nova Scotian arts organizations, galleries, and our members on social media or in our biweekly newsletter. When it comes to asking for people, organizations, or media outlets to share your project or event, we find there’s a way to do it to maximize your chance of getting promoted. Check out our new Guide to Getting Your Project/ Event Promoted Digitally! Learn the things that VANS needs you to provide in order to share your event (and what NOT to do)!

ART RECESS is a new collection of short, accessible workshops that can be delivered online at times that work for teachers in the school year, or for parents and other caregivers in the summertime!  VANS’ commissioned 9 artists to create ART RECESS workshops and videos available for free to educators, students and parents. Part of the PAINTS  (Professional Artists In the Schools) Program, these workshops are made to be quick (15 – 20 minutes) and use materials that most people would have around the house. Check out all the ART RECESS videos on the VANS’ YouTube channel today!

VANS has launched a Facebook Group! This group welcomes any visual artists living in Nova Scotia. This community space can be used for exchanging opportunities, resources or news with one another. Click here to join, and invite your friends so they don’t miss out on this information hub.

We are now including an Artist Page (formerly known as an E-studio) with EVERY membership! Artists say this is one of our most valuable membership benefits, and with everyone on board it will be THE destination to find Nova Scotian artists online. The Artist Pages provide a page on our website where artists can post up to six images, an artist statement, selected biography, and contact information. It can provide an increased online presence for artists or provide an online presence for artists without a website. As members renew their membership they will get a login and be prompted to create their Artist Page. We’ve created a template to follow (that will appear when you click on Create My Artist Page in My Account) so it’s never been this easy. If you already have an Artist Page, you can still edit it, as usual. We are just a phone call away if you need help with a step.

VANS Members can now access the Arts & Entertainment health plan. ACTRA Fraternal Benefit Society (AFBS) is a Member-owned, not-for-profit, federally incorporated insurance company and financial institution operating since 1975. AFBS has proudly underwritten the Arts & Entertainment Plan® since 2011. They offer multiple types of plans and you’re eligible if: you are a VANS Member; you are a professional in the arts, living in Canada; you have a valid Provincial Health Card; and you’re under 71 years of age. See their website for details on their plans, coverage and get a free quote.

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Announcements

The Ice House Gallery in Tatamagouche is currently accepting applications for the 2025 season. The gallery focuses on showcasing local, Nova Scotian and Canadian artists. Their shows are thought-provoking, educational, and will look to expand the community’s exposure to visual art. Group exhibitions are welcome. Artists will be notified within six to eight weeks from the submission of your application. For any further information, please feel free to contact thegraceartscentre.manager@gmail.com.  Please complete the online submission form here.

Ocean Kin, an evocative multi-disciplinary shadow show, by artist Jeighk Koyote set to premiere at The Bus Stop Theatre in Halifax on May 18 – 19, 2024. Watch the show teaser here. Ocean Kin is a poetic shadow show contemplating our relationship to body and self inspired by the ecology of the sea otter. Three performers animate plexi-glass puppets, 3D sculptural props and projected illustrations behind a screen using flashlights and an overhead projector. This mechanically complex and visually rich performance carries a loose narrative through words and an ethereal soundscape created by Halifax musician, Layia. Inviting the audience to surrender to their inner quiet, Ocean Kin is an emotive performance that is both aching and hopeful. All tickets are pay-what-you-can, and can be purchased here or at jeighkkoyote.com

Art Lab in Parrsboro is moving into year eleven providing the larger Maritime community an opportunity to work with some great artists in Nova Scotia. Their faculty includes, Tom Forrestall, Wayne Boucher, Holly Carr, Susan Paterson, Joy Laking, Bill Rogers, Jennifer Marlow, Monika Wright and Janet Doble. They have another exciting season coming up so check out their course calendar starting with Abstraction and Reality in Acrylic with Sandi Komst (June 7, 8, 9);  Jumpstart Your Creativity with Monika Wright (June 14, 15, 16); Drawing Conclusions with Tom and William Forrestall (July 5, 6, 7); An Abstract Retreat with Wayne Boucher (July 12, 13, 14, 15), and more!

All Ross Creek camps are taught by professional artists and provide a marriage between wonderful creative arts exploration and traditional summer camp fun and memories.   In other words, a summer full of creative fun! Kids will have a great time on our 178 acres of field and forest, led by our fabulous counselors. Whether searching for the Creekster, creating a masterpiece or making new friends, their camps have something for every kid!  Kids can come as day students, or for the full experience, as overnight campers. See the schedule here, and for info about bursaries and financial assistance please email: admin@artscentre.ca. Dates are July 8-August 30 for ages 4.5-18.

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Nova Scotia based Caribou Loft Art Prints is a growing e-commerce retailer specializing in large format giclée art prints with a Canadian influence. They’re currently seeking up-and-coming Canadian artists, painters, photographers and digital creators to partner with them in an endeavour to bring Canadian inspired art to the home decor market. Artists represented at the loft will remain full copyright holders of their work, receive a 30% commission on sales and rentals, and receive a 10% discount at their print lab. They’re also waiving all fees associated with the digital scanning of any artwork under contract with the loft where applicable. All styles are encouraged to submit. Please be sure to tell them about yourself and include links to your work. They’re also happy to answer any questions you may have. Visit www.caribouloft.art or e-mail your submissions directly to: submissions@caribouloft.art.

Halifax Regional Municipality is seeking new peer evaluators of the Municipality’s Grants to Professional Arts Organizations funding program and Public Art selection juries. Eligible applicants will be added to a standing roster of prospective jurors. Members will be selected from this roster annually and invited to perform assessments of applications to the Grant Program and Public Art selection juries. This is a paid opportunity. Individuals selected for a public art jury are provided with a fee in accordance with CARFAC’s Professional Jury Rate. For more information or for help with your application, contact Lindsay Cory, Community Developer – Public Art via email at Lindsay.cory@halifax.ca or phone at 902-456-8384.

ArtSeen is a digital venue that showcases contemporary art programming, creators and practices from a variety of artist-run and community arts organisations. In spring of 2020 ARTSPLACE, located in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, was awarded funding through the Canada Council Digital Strategy Fund to develop capacity to run hybrid (digital and in-person) programming and to develop a strategy to amplify its programming impact. After a period of consultation with various stakeholders, it was decided creating a website designed as a digital venue would best serve our shared initiatives. ArtSeen first went live in Fall 2022 and officially launched December 2023. The project continues to recruit partners to work collaboratively, broaden contemporary art audiences and amplify the work of artist-run and community-led initiatives and the artists they present. Would your gallery or organisation like to be an ArtSeen collaborator?
ArtSeen is managed and maintained by ARTSPLACE. They are always looking to add to our community of contributing partners. If your organisation is interested in learning more about how to join ArtSeen, please contact admin@arcac.ca.

NSCAD University is pleased to announce that Erinn Beth Langille is the next Director of the Anna Leonowens Gallery Systems, effective December 16, 2023. Erinn Beth Langille (she/her) is an award-winning writer and arts administrator. She holds a BA in Political Science from Dalhousie, a BFA (Interdisciplinary) and a BA (Art History) from NSCAD University, an MA from the University of Essex in Modern Art and Theory, and her MFA in Fiction from the University of New Orleans. Previous to the Directorship of the Anna Leonowens Gallery Systems, Langille has been leading the Creative Entrepreneurship Lab at NSCAD.

Therapeutic Arts Practitioner Gerard McNeil MEd, BEd (VAS), BFA,TAPC is excited to offer a new therapeutic arts service. This service is designed for those who want new ways to explore personal growth, stress reduction and overall mental wellness. To facilitate these therapeutic services a range of media from drawing to digital imaging will be utilized with a focus on personal development and wellness for individuals and community wellness for organizations and groups. McNeil is offering Personal Development and Wellness sessions (including Creative Wellness Through the Lens, and Creative Wellness One–to–One) as well as Community Wellness (Creative Wellness Through Connections). For more information about this therapeutic arts service, you can check out the website www.gerardmcneil.com/creative-wellness.html, contact Gerard by phone at 902-456-0861 or by e-mail at gmcneiltap@gmail.com.

Do you like to sketch?  Want to share your passion for urban sketching with other like minded artists?  Why not join the Urban Sketchers Halifax Facebook group.  Here you can share your urban sketches with other members and you will have the opportunity to attend a weekly sketchout.  Each week, they meet at a different location and sketch that location on-site in your medium of choice.  You are not obligated to attend each week, but the opportunity is there.  They are a very friendly, helpful group that love to share their passion for urban sketching.  They would love to have you join.  No fees of any kind.

CARFAC National is pleased to announce some great new benefits for BIPOC artist members. Earlier this year, CARFAC partnered with CultureBrew.Art on the development of a new Visual Artist Module of their digital platform. The module will help BIPOC artists connect with curators, galleries, museums, and other engagers, and connect with other artists. The Visual Artist Module is now live, and CARFAC members can join for free! They are also inviting BIPOC artists to participate in a working project with Imprimo and Partial Gallery. Imprimo helps artists share the stories behind their work online, and Partial Gallery is a digital marketplace for emerging and BIPOC artists to sell or rent their work. The hope is that these partnerships will provide BIPOC artists with better opportunities to sell their work, and they are seeking BIPOC artists willing to join Imprimo and Partial Gallery with a one-year free subscription. If you are interested in participating, please fill in this form.

NSCAD Welcomes Six New Faculty Members as part of the 2023 Cohort Hire. NSCAD is pleased to introduce the new faculty members who joined our community this summer: Associate Professor Jordan Bennett, Associate Professor Lucie Chan (MFA 2021), Assistant Professor Leesa Hamilton, Assistant Professor Anton Lee, Assistant Professor Huschang Pourian and Assistant Professor Vajdon Sohaili.

Plein air painting/sketching immerses you in your surroundings. Artists often find their outdoor work is more spontaneous and vibrant than studio work. To succeed you need simply need to be persistent, and patient. Painting with others builds camaraderie and self-confidence. We recommend you join in group critiques. They are educational and act as social contact. Several plein air groups exist in Nova Scotia. Of those listed here, the groups meet weekly, rain or shine. You decide whether to come or not. No event is canceled or rescheduled due to weather. PAAHRM and PAAAV (Plein Air Artists HRM and Plein Air Artists Annapolis Valley) meet Thursdays with an optional date on a weekend. Some prefer weekdays. Some prefer weekends. Some like to go twice to each paint-out site. There are no fees involved with any of these groups. All artistic levels are accepted.

Nova Scotia has announced the 2023-24 Provincial Budget Arts & Culture Highlights. This year’s budget includes:

• $3.065 million increase to operating grant programs in the Culture and Heritage Development Division.
• $1.4 million increase to Arts Nova Scotia’s operating grants programs. This is a doubling of the existing operating grant budget.
• $650,000 increase to the Community Museum Assistance Program.
• $2.64 million increase in funding to locally managed museums and the Bluenose II.
• A one-time $14 million increase to the Nova Scotia Film and Television Incentive Fund budget. This brings the total investment in film and television production to $39 million.
• The CCTH budget for 23/24 is $170 million.

You can find their CCTH business plan here, which will be their guide for the next year. Now that the budget has been tabled, the budget debate will begin with Estimates, and you can follow the process here. If you have immediate questions, please contact CHD operating programs and Community Museum Assistance, Susan Jeffries, susan.jeffries@novascotia.ca. Arts Nova Scotia operating program, Briony Carros: briony.carros@novascotia.ca. For general CCTH budget questions, Chris Shore: christopher.shore@novascotia.ca.

AFCOOP is proud to begin streaming 50 selected works from their nearly 50 years of helping members and the greater community make great films! There is so much work in the basements and closets of Atlantic filmmakers that is in danger of being lost to time. The AFCOOP Archives seeks to address this imminent loss by providing digital storage and an online streaming portal for the preservation and dissemination of AFCOOP members’ and community films.

Artists in Canada has a fixed pension plan for visual artists. Started in 2016. This Pension Plan is for all Canadian Artists (Visual Artists, Musicians, Writers, Performance, Graphic, Web development and Film Artists). Commercial, Public Art Galleries and Art Resource businesses and their staff are also eligible.

ART= WORK T-Shirts Available! VANL-CARFAC is excited to be re-launching the ART=WORK campaign in partnership with the Mary MacDonald Foundation. This joint fundraiser will support visual artists, curators, and art workers living in Newfoundland and Labrador through programs and awards distributed by their organizations. The T-shirts are $20 each and come in sizes include, XS (ladies S), S, M, L, XL, 2XL.

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Awards and Funding

The Department of Canadian Heritage is presenting the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP). The CDAP can help get your business online, give your e-commerce presence a boost or help digitalize your business’s operations. The program offers two grants: The Grow your Business Online grant helps small businesses take advantage of e-commerce opportunities and The Boost Your Business Technology grant helps small and medium-sized businesses adopt new digital technologies. Please contact digital-adoption@ised-isde.gc.ca with any questions you may have regarding the program.

Tourism Nova Scotia is offering the Tourism Digital Assistance Program for Communities which will provide up to $15,000 in services from a qualified digital expert to help communities bridge the digital gap and improve their online marketing and services to attract visitors and encourage spending. The pilot program expands on the successful Tourism Digital Assistance Program for businesses and will also be delivered in partnership with Digital Nova Scotia.

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Education

Course/ workshop registration is open at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design for members and non-members! They are offering courses in jewellery, crochet, macrame, quilting, pottery, watercolour, stained glass, and much more. To see the full list of courses available, please visit capebretoncraft.com/learn/courses/. For more information or to register, email tammy@capebretoncraft.com.

Get your films to look their best at AFCOOP’s Colour Grading & Correction workshop! In this workshop, instructor Brendon Wilson will give an overview of the typical DaVinci Resolve colour workflow, taking participants through each step of the colouring process. From ingest and conform to final delivery, Brendon will discuss working with different types of footage, film looks, and techniques, while exploring the possibilities DaVinci Resolve offers filmmakers. Brendon is a freelance video editor and colourist based in Halifax. With close to ten years of post-production experience in commercial, documentary, music video and narrative work, Brendon continues to be captivated by compelling storytelling and powerful imagery. He works alongside production companies, ad agencies, and filmmakers to create and deliver high-quality content for broadcast and web distribution. The workshop is Wednesday, May 1 — 6–9pm at the AFCOOP Office (1800 Argyle St, Suite 303, Halifax).

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Registration is open for the VANS Spring Workshop Series! This spring we are offering online workshops in March and April on the topics that you requested most in our workshop survey. The series starts with a workshop on Artist Residencies (how to find, apply and prepare for them) with Eryn Foster, How to Give a Great Artist Talk with Lux Gow-Habrich, Online Marketing for Artists (websites, email lists, social media, and online selling) with Stacey Cornelius, and another new workshop on one of our most requested topics – Contract and Copyright Basics with Sydney Lancaster, who has worked with CARFAC National and Copyright Visual Arts. Check out the full workshop descriptions and instructor bios, and register here: https://visualarts.ns.ca/program/workshops-webinars/.

Dartmouth Visual Arts Society is pleased to present four upcoming workshops: April 27 – Bill Rogers will present a workshop ‘Putting Figures in Paintings’. Bill will be working with in acrylics but all mediums are welcome. May 25 – Terry Greencorn will present a workshop using mixed media. She will demonstrate in watercolour but all mediums are welcome. These workshops will be held at the Findlay Centre on Elliot Street in Dartmouth from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please bring your painting supplies, a lunch, and a table cover. The cost of each workshop is $50 for DVAS members and $70 for non-members. Fees may be paid by cheque, sent to DVAS, 65 Driftwood Cres, Dartmouth, N.S., B2V 1S6 or in person at Studio Group on Thursday mornings 9:30- 11:30, or by e-transfer to treasurer@dartmouthvisualarts.ca. Register for workshops by emailing workshopregis@dartmouthvisualarts.ca. Workshop spaces are limited so register early. Confirm your registration before paying, to ensure there is space available.

Elephant Grass Printmakers Society announced their Learn to Love Printmaking Workshop series is coming to Annapolis Royal in March and April. Even if you are a complete novice or have some experience with printmaking, these workshops are for you. The first workshop is Learn to Love Linocut with Basma Kavanagh where you’ll learn the basics of this versatile and accessible printmaking medium (March 16 & 17), followed by Learn to Love the Basics of Letterpress With Katie Prescott of Woodshed Press which is an introduction to letterpress printing combining vintage metal or wood type (April 7), and Learn to Love Simple Etching with Bonnie Baker where you’ll explore economical ways of making small etchings using recycled containers (April 28). All workshops are held at Elephant Grass Printmakers studio, 240 St. George Street 2nd floor, Annapolis Royal. Pre-registration and payment in advance is required. You can register through their website. For more details contact elephantgrassprintmakers@gmail.com.

Art Lab in Parrsboro’s 2024 Course Calendar looks great! Check out some of their courses starting with Abstraction and Reality in Acrylic with Sandi Komst (June 7, 8, 9);  Jumpstart Your Creativity with Monika Wright (June 14, 15, 16); Drawing Conclusions with Tom and William Forrestall (July 5, 6, 7); An Abstract Retreat with Wayne Boucher (July 12, 13, 14, 15), and more!

CFAT will be hosting an electronic synthesizer building workshop in April! The aim of this workshop will be to teach participants the basics of analog circuit design through the process of building a small analog synthesizer that each participant will be able to keep at the end! You will learn fundamentals of operational amplifiers, designing your own circuits, and super easy circuit prototyping methods. Participants will need some experience with soldering (there is enough time to get better at it before the workshop but the pcb is fairly complex with many parts, we wont be able to walk people through soldering if they have no experience) and have at least a basic understanding of electronic components (know the difference between resistors, capacitors, ics, etc). The cost for the base workshop is $30. If the participant would like nicer hardware (knobs) on their Drumpet they can pay 60 for the more expensive knobs. The workshop will take place over a couple days on a weekend in April. If you want to participate or have any other questions email jesse@cfat.ca.

Summer registration is now open! Lunenburg School of the Arts offers workshops led by professional art educators and working artists. Their small and intimate class sizes allow students to work closely with instructors and each other, fostering self-expression in a supportive atmosphere. They offer courses in a wide variety of mediums, our programs encourage exploration, discovery and development of skills and ideas. With its historic townscape and a working waterfront, the Town of Lunenburg is their campus.

Whether you’re into photography, graphic design, illustration, fine art, textiles, ceramics, printmaking or beyond, NSCAD Extended Studies offers a multitude of classes for the dabbler and the dedicated. Looking to try something new? Their Introductory classes are designed for beginners or those who want more practice and guidance in art mediums! Check out their youth offerings for evenings and weekends! Or, if you’re looking to advance your career or creative skills, they have classes to help you get to the next step.

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Employment 

Creative Pictou County is seeking an Arts Event Coordinator for the summer of 2024. The key role of the Summer Arts Event Coordinator is to support summer program initiatives and events. The chosen candidate will be asked to attend events in Pictou County and help promote Creative Pictou County as an organization as well as their new membership program. Examples of events would be attending a summer festival and having a creative activity for participants to engage with and therefore learn more about Creative Pictou County. The Summer Arts Event Coordinator will support artists as they create their profiles for the new online directory by collecting their biographies and taking photographs of their work. These photographs may also be used in the Art Kiosk Project at the Museum of Industry. This position is funded through Canada Summer Jobs for youth under 30, enrolment in a post secondary institution is not a requirement. The salary is $15.20/ hour, 30 hours a week. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to carissa@creativepictoucounty.com. Deadline: April 30.

Join the Cape Breton Centre for Craft team! They are currently hiring summer students for the positions of Day Camp Coordinator in Sydney, and Cultural Tourism Retail Assistant in Port Hawkesbury. Interested applicants should submit their resume, cover letter and two to cassie@capebretoncraft.com. Those selected for an interview will be contacted. For the full job descriptions visit capebretoncraft.com. $17 per hour/ 35 hrs. per week. Deadline: April 22, 4 pm. 

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Ross Creek in Canning is hiring Program Coordinator. Do you have a Visual Arts practice? Do you want to combine that knowledge with opportunities to make the world a better place through arts and culture for all ages and levels of practice? You will lead a fabulous team in collaboration with the ED to design and implement exhibitions, programs and projects which serve both the local and regional community and artists from around the world. They collaborate on gallery exhibits, community days, arts camps, residencies and more. You will help see the centre into a new and sustainable era of programming that helps people understand and be change-makers. Salary: $36,500-$39,000 to start depending on experience. Benefits: Co-pay health & dental package, creative renewal (time to focus on your art practise or other projects), staff discount on Centre programs for immediate family, etc. Deadline: ASAP.

Artshine in Dartmouth is hiring part-time English and French Speaking Art Instructors! When applying for this position, please send a video of yourself to apply@artshine.ca telling a bit about yourself and why you feel you can help Artshine achieve its mission (MP4/MOV files or a direct link should be included in your email). Join their team and let your art shine as an instructor of our enriching and educational mobile art classes. Spark students’ creativity, confidence and love for art, while teaching our rich curriculum and having fun! Artshine is an innovative mobile art social enterprise devoted to creating a community where participation in the arts is available to people of all levels of income, ability or life circumstance. Part-time work (2-10 hours per week or more based on your availability): a great fit for stay-at-home parents, university students, part-time teachers, and artists. Curriculum and training in the ‘Artshine way’ are provided. $20 – $30 per hour for instructing time, $17 – $19 per hour for prep.

Are you a press-ready pro? Breakhouse in Halifax is looking to add to their roster of freelance Graphic Artists. They need someone with a minimum 5 years work experience with exceptional attention to detail in graphics, layout and typography, mad multi-tasking abilities and strong communication and organizational skills. Working with the Art Director, the Graphic Artist will be responsible for following brand guidelines to prepare a wide range of creative assets while ensuring consistent quality and correct file specification for print production. This is a freelance position, but flexibility is needed on occasion to work in the office alongside the Art Director. Please send your resume and portfolio to jobs@breakhouse.ca. Applicants of interest will be notified and maybe required to demonstrate their skills with a creative test.

A list of presenters/galleries that pay the CARFAC/RAAV Minimum Fee for artist exhibitions was compiled by CARFAC Maritimes to guide the membership in their search for paying venues. You will find public galleries, galleries in other establishments, artist cooperatives and artist run centres. They will update the list on a regular basis. Should you find any information missing or incorrect, kindly let them know at anna.rail@carfacmaritimes.org  with the pertinent information and they will make the necessary changes immediately. Here is the link to the list:  http://www.carfacmaritimes.org/en/exhibition-opportunities-maritimes/

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Events

To mark the closure of Meagan Musseau’s 2024 residency at CBU, the Art Gallery is pleased to present a selection of the artist’s past and current work. Presence features video capture of Meagan’s land-based performance art, braiding and basketry – using both traditional and non-traditional materials – in a Gallery space that has been transformed into a working, artist’s studio. They invite visitors to come and meet the artist as she engages in her practice on site. Presence runs from April 2 – June 7 and the Artist Talk is April 22 at 6:30 pm.

Would you be interested to join a free monthly one-hour online exchange hosted by the Art for Social Change Network (ASCN)?  The exchanges take place every second Wednesday of the month at 10 am PST(2pm). Here are the upcoming topics: Partnerships (May 8), Sharing current projects – what are you working on now? (June 12), Adapting to changing communities – accessibility, fees, gentrification (July 10), Promotion (August 14), Training and training resources (September 11), Advocacy and engaging the general public (October 9), and others suggested by participants. The monthly zoom link is:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84093920831?pwd=dVFLYjRjbUMwU0podXpWZnB3MkpnUT09. Meeting ID: 840 9392 0831. Passcode: 527590.

Women in Film and Television Atlantic /WIFT-AT’s 14th annual Making Waves conference is April 19 and 20 at the Prince George Hotel in Halifax. Once again, they’re presenting a stellar lineup of panels and professional development sessions.  Here are a few notable events – Creating Chaos: The Creative Course for Developing a Digital Series (April 19, 1:30 pm–4:30 pm), Business Affairs: Building Blocks for Producers (April 19, 9 am–noon), Film Strategy 101 (April 19, 9 am –noon). For the full Making Waves lineup, click here.

Previously posted:

The 12th Annual L’Arche Art Show and Sale is at the Halifax Forum Maritime Room from Friday, April 26th through Sunday, April 28th. This event is a fundraiser for L’Arche Halifax in an effort to make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities. Purchase affordable paintings, prints, and artisanal crafts by local artists of all levels and support the vibrant L’Arche Halifax house that is an integral part of the North End Halifax community. Admission is free and all funds raised support L’Arche Halifax; dedicated to celebrating and making known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities revealed through mutually transformative relationships. The opening reception is Friday, April 26 from 7 – 9 pm and the event continues Saturday, April 27, 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, April 28, 10 am to 3 pm. Open to all!

CARFAC Maritimes is offering a unique opportunity for you to connect with CARFAC Maritimes members and other artists and exchange valuable information. Whether you have questions regarding copyright protection, making donations, responding to a Call to Artists, or applying for gallery representation, this is the perfect platform to seek answers! You will also get a chance to engage with other artists virtually on Sunday, April 21, 1:30 – 2:30. Email them to register.

You can register now for Temporal Anchorings, a three-day Media Arts Gathering in Kjipuktuk (Halifax, Nova Scotia) in June 2024! This event will bring together arts administrators from media arts organizations across the country to discuss important issues of sustainability and resilience by looking back at the past and forward to the future while grounding ourselves in the present. The 2024 Media Arts Gathering is meant to be a space for all arts workers from media arts organizations located in so-called Canada to connect with each other, and to foster a sense of solidarity and community. The goal of the gathering is to be a site for advancing arts practices in the media arts sector, nurturing professional development, collaboration, and exchange. The Temporal Anchorings conference features a 3-day program of round-table discussions and panels with Q+A periods, as well as a community dinner hosted by CFAT. For any questions, please contact Marilyne Parent at info@imaa.ca.

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Residencies

A Position on Retreat focuses on creating experiences of connection to the natural world, personal well-being, and self-actualization to cultivate creative expression and flow. They aim to create experiences between the natural world of Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island and the curated groups of artists that reorient us to the collective goals of peace, acceptance, and wholeness. The program welcomes all media of artistic expression, including painting, drawing, digital photography, video, film, 3D animation, AI, creative coding, game development, XR, emerging digital practices, web3, creative and academic writing, and more. They aim to balance digital/emerging practices with traditional practices. Residents can select whether they would like individual/self-directed time or if they would like to participate in skill and conceptual development. They also offer thematic residencies throughout the year. Two-week residencies cost $1300. There is no deadline to apply.

Studio H Canada International Artist Residency and the Northern Women Arts Collaborative are excited to announce a new textile residency in honour of artist, activist, and social worker Irene Borins Ash (1952-2020). Irene was passionate about weaving and art in all its forms. She gifted the studio her Leclerc Tapestry Loom and to honour her memory and her art, we are now offering a partially funded, one-month intensive textile residency. This residency is open to proposals of experimental to traditional and hybrid approaches to weaving. Textile artists interested in tapestry weaving using the Leclerc Loom (Tissart model pre-1990), are invited to apply for this special residency to undertake new work and research in Metchosin, BC Canada – the unceded territories of the Sci’anew First Nation. The selected artist may choose a one-month period for the residency, but some months may be more relevant in the local community. The selected artist is welcome to propose a longer period for the residency which may not be fully funded. $1,500 CAD stipend. January 2024-April 2024.

Studio H Canada art residency and exchange is hosted in Metchosin, a rural municipality of Victoria, BC. Artists from around the world and Canada, in all disciplines and media, are invited to engage in collaborative projects or to develop new work on their own in this creative and inspiring setting. The vision of the Studio H Canada Art Residency program is to create meaningful, collaborative connections between artists from around the world and Canada, in all media and walks of life, that will result in new art, opportunities, friendships, and supportive circles of creativity. Artists can create, exhibit, do public presentations and workshops, research, and network. Fees for the art residency average $40 – $60 per day. There is no deadline to apply.

The Ross Creek Centre for the Arts offers both self directed and project based residencies to professional artists working in one or more of the following media: visual art, writing, theatre, dance, film, music, performance art, photography, fibre arts and video. Their residencies provide a spectacular rural environment free from distraction. Each season offers a unique and changing landscape guaranteed to inspire artists of all disciplines. Apply individually or as a collaborative team looking to make some creative explorations in a safe and welcoming space. Ongoing submissions are welcome.

Apply to be a self-directed Artist-in-Residence at the Caetani Cultural Centre (a historic heritage house) in the small town of Vernon, BC. The residency is open to emerging and established artists and writers in most mediums: installation, earthworks, sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, digital media, printmaking, etc. Fees range from $10 – $35 per day, depending on the room, studio and season. There is a minimum two week stay. Applications for Caetani Cultural Centre’s Self-Directed Artist-in-Residence Program are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Looking for artist residencies? Res Artis: Worldwide Network of Arts Residencies is a 26 year old network of arts residency operators from around the globe. Their easy to navigate website has tons of listing of open calls from organizations around the world, or you can search their list of residencies by location, disciplines, fees, and more. They also link all the residency descriptions back to the individual arts organizations websites.

Artscape Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island offers self directed residencies. Focus on your work in a distraction-free environment! They offer a range of comfortable accommodations for your self-directed residency. All of the studios feature high ceilings and large windows that get lots of natural light; the bedrooms are modest yet cozy, appointed with a single bed, side table, lamp and blackout curtain. Linens are provided. Their Winter season runs from October 1 to April 30, and the Summer season runs from May 1 to September 30. Different rates apply. Availability can be limited during peak season (May to September) so they encourage prospective guests to book well in advance to secure preferred dates. Visual Arts Studios range in size from 250 to 750 square feet. The studios feature large wall surfaces, work tables with lamps, and a comfort area with chairs and a coffee table.

The Ou Gallery Residency in the Cowichan Valley, BC. The Ou, located on Vancouver Island, was an old boatbuilding workshop that is converted into a gallery and studio space. The goal with the residency program is to bring international creativity & perspectives to our Gallery & Workshop, and bring artists of all different cultures here to share their art & ideas with the community on their little Island. The Ou welcomes 2D & 3D artists, printers, writers, poets, performers – makers who need time away to focus on a series, or who would like to teach workshops & gain experience. They’re open to hosting events & interesting, challenging, ideas. Artists here for 2 weeks + are eligible to present an exhibition of their work. In addition to your suite with your private bedroom, you will have access to the Hall for studio space. The amount of space provided will depend on your project goals, but you can always feel free to setup an easel. The cost for 1 week is $1,000, 2 weeks $1,650, and 4 weeks $3,250. Prices are in CAD. They recommend a minimum 2 week stay. Deadline: ongoing.

The 360 Xochi Quetzal Artist and Writer’s Residency Program is located in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico on the shores of the largest lake in the country where the perfect year-round climate and stunning lake and mountain views have long established the region as an international artist mecca. They now offer four live/work spaces. Residents will be inspired by the natural beauty, history and culture of this special part of central Mexico. They offer a personal residency that can be applied for throughout the year.

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Submissions

Inverness County Centre for the Arts is accepting submissions to the Cabinet Gallery, a small but vibrant space in the foyer of their building that they want to use to showcase Cape Breton/Nova Scotia based artwork. They are seeking submissions for as soon as June and beyond to activate this new space.  If you have an idea or interest in putting work in the space, let them know.  Submitting is simple. Send an email to info@invernessarts.com with your idea, a small diagram or visual aid (if applicable) and your contact info. The exhibits will be displayed between 4 – 6 weeks at a time. Information about the Cabinet Gallery exterior measurements are 55 ½” width  x 86” height, interior measurements are  53 ½” width x 80 ¾” height with a depth of 15 ½”.  Artists must return the space to the condition it was in when they began their project. ICCA will provide the necessary tools/materials (touch up paint etc) to return it to its original condition, any major or large alteration to the space is at the expense of the artist. ICCA will offer an honorarium to the artist(s) exhibiting their work.

Inkwell Modern Handmade Boutique in Halifax is seeking to consign handmade products for their retail and online stores! Do you have work you’d like to see featured at Inkwell? Or maybe you know a maker who produces great handmade items? The talent of the local and international maker community is infinite. They believe representation matters and those who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Disabled and any minority groups are encouraged to apply. Know a maker who might be interested in working with Inkwell? They look forward to seeing what you’ve been making!

The J. Franklin Wright Gallery in Port Hawkesbury welcomes submissions from visual artists at all stages of their career for their 2022 season. Submissions must include; CV, Biography – 100 words max, Project Proposal – 500 words max (please note in your proposal whether there are any special requirements), 5- 10 images relevant to your project (Image list – artist’s name, title of work, medium, dimensions and date). Please see their page for more information and floor plan of the gallery. There are no hanging fees; however, a 25% commission from sales arranged directly between the artist and the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre is charged. Please forward submissions to: ryansharon2012@gmail.com. There is no deadline for submissions.

The CSARN Mentoring Program. CSARN (the Canadian Senior Artists Resource Network) offers emerging and transitioning professional artists the guidance of a mentor with a lifetime of talent and experience to share. Their award-winning mentors have inspired and empowered and they want to empower the next generation of artists so that they also can change the world. There is no cost to our program. In fact, mentors for their time and cover mentees’ expenses. Mentors and mentees must be professional artists. If you are not sure you qualify, read the Canadian Artist Code. For more information see their website. 

The Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo is looking to build a database of artists who work with glass, clay, and ceramics. This database would be for research purposes with the intention of finding artists to potentially work with in the future- whether that is through exhibition opportunities or otherwise. Interested artists are encouraged to visit the following link: https://forms.gle/cnxk3rob6yZp19uS8 or contact Cheyenne Mapplebeck directly at Cheyenne.mapplebeck@gmail.com.

C Magazine is seeking to expand their pool of writers. Do you want to write for C Magazine? If yes, enter yourself in their Writer Directory. The purpose of this directory is to allow writers at all experience levels to express interest in working with C Magazine, and to tell them a bit about themselves, without pitching a specific piece. By completing this form, you are consenting to the possibility that you could be contacted by C’s editorial team for an assignment at any time. They pay all contributors a minimum of 35 cents/word (CAD).  If you’d like to pitch something specific, please visit the submissions page to read about C Magazine’s sections, style, and submission guidelines.

Artwork Archive just published their Complete Guide to Artist Grants and Opportunities. They’ve compiled a list of artist grants, residencies, and calls-for-entry in the upcoming year and although some of them are US specific, there are several international opportunities as well. You can download a free copy of the guide and start submitting your applications!

The Craig Gallery in Dartmouth is seeking proposal submissions! The Craig is particularly interested in exhibiting a wide cross-section of diverse, emerging artists throughout the region. Artists displaying diversity in practice and three dimensional works are currently of particular interest. They are now accepting proposals for sculptural work, unique installations, and performance pieces for display in the Case Galleries. Submissions may be sent at any time, the Craig Gallery Advisory Committee meets quarterly to review all proposals.

The Teichert Gallery at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is currently accepting submissions. New works are juried biweekly by their volunteer accessions committee who meet every other Monday. The deadline for submission is every other Sunday before 3pm. Artists may submit up to five works at a time. Please have your works titled (title should be written on the back of the work along with your name) and attach or email your biography, CV, or both. You will need to determine the sale price for you work. The gallery’s commission rate is 35%. If you are unsure about pricing your work they encourage you to browse around the gallery and look at comparable works. Works may be dropped off anytime during gallery hours, no need to set up an appointment. For more information see their submission guidelines.

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Nova Scotia Exhibition Listings

ANNA LEONOWENS GALLERY (NSCAD UNIVERSITY), HALIFAX: Gallery 1: “it looked like your BioSuit”, Melanie Barnett; Gallery 2: everyone you know, Fanny Desroches; Gallery 3: Of the Flesh, Photography group exhibition, April 16 – 27.

ARGYLE FINE ART, HALIFAX: I’d Rather Be Home in my Sweatpants, Group exhibition, April 12 – May 3.

ART GALLERY OF NOVA SCOTIA, HALIFAX: Realism’s Reach, various artists, ongoing. Miss Chief’s Wet Dream, Kent Monkman, ongoing. Ta’n a’sikatikl sipu’l | Confluence, various artists, ongoing. The Shape of Cities, ongoing. Maud Lewis, ongoing. Nova Scotia Spotlight: Nelson White, until July 19, 2024. Recent Acquisitions: Carol Wainio, ongoing. The Very Mention Of Home, Deanne Fitzpatrick, ongoing. Folk/ Funk, ongoing.

ART 1274 HOLLIS, HALIFAX: Denise Uebele, April.                 

ARTSPLACE, ANNAPOLIS ROYAL: The B-Sides, Wayne Boucher, Geoff Butler, Brandt Eisner, Ken Flett, Jennifer Goddard, Ron Hayes, Deb Kuzyk, Ray Mackie, B Mosher, Lorna Mulligan, Sarah Reesor, Monique Silver, and Courtney Turner, April 13 – May 25. Broken Windows, John Eaton, March 30 – April 20. Canopy, Gregory Muszkie, April 2 – 26. A Beer Tent for Girls, Ali Nickerson, April 2 – 26. Opening: April 13, 12 – 2pm.

BUS STOP THEATRE, HALIFAX: Ocean Kin, Jeighk Koyote, May 18 – 19.

CAPE BRETON CENTRE FOR CRAFT & DESIGN, SYDNEY: Ground Rules: What the Spruce Trees Saw but Didn’t Say, April 29 – June 16.Opening reception: May 9, 5 – 7:30pm.

CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY, SYDNEY: The Beauty of It All, Joseph Reid & Marina Sudworth, March 8 – May 24. presence, Meagan Musseau, Cape Breton University Artist in Residence, April 2 – June 7. Artist Talk: April 22, 6:30 pm.

CENTRE FOR ART TAPES, HALIFAX: 36th Annual CFAT Media Art Scholarship Exhibition, Mamie Bell, Ufuk Ali Gueray, Sean Maheux Galway, Zyanya Juarez Arellano, Andrew Deveaux, April 12 – 26.

CHASE GALLERY (NS ARCHIVES), HALIFAX: The Contemporary Art Society’s 49th Annual Juried Exhibition & Sale, May 2 – 31. Opening reception: May 4, 1 – 3pm.

THE CRAIG GALLERY, DARTMOUTH: Main and Case Galleries: The Space Between Us, Andrew Quon, April 2 – 28.

CUTS AND PASTE GALLERY, HALIFAX: Deep Cuts, Rhonda Barrett, April 11 – May 9.

DALHOUSIE ART GALLERY, HALIFAX: Alan Syliboy: The Journey So Far, May 9 – August 11.

ELTUEK ARTS CENTRE, SYDNEY: Hybrid Mind, Onni Nordman and Morgan Hanam, April 10 – June 7.

14 BELLS ART GALLERY, HALIFAX: Water and Light, RJ Marchand, April 25 – May 17.

HARVEST GALLERY, WOLFVILLE: PRESS, Printmakers Show, May 4 – 31.  Opening reception: May 4, 2 – 4 pm.

HERMES, HALIFAX: Book Club, Group Show, March 23 – April 21.

ICE HOUSE GALLERY, TATAMAGOUCHE: Descriptions of Landscape, Lorna Mulligan, March 16 – April 28. The Colours of Nova Scotia, Judith Orr, Paul Edmond, and Steve Townsend, May 4 – June 23.

J. FRANKLIN WRIGHT GALLERY, PORT HAWKESBURY: Canada’s Nature: A Call of the Wild, Michael Gerhartz, opened March 28.

KATZMAN ART PROJECTS, HALIFAX: I was a wave when I crashed, Marcel Kerkhoff, April 5 – May 4.

LUNENBURG ART GALLERY, LUNENBURG: Still Life With Yellow, members’ exhibition, April 5 – 27.

MARY E. BLACK GALLERY, HALIFAX: you made me remember, shawn o’hagan, March 14 – May 5.

MSVU ART GALLERY, HALIFAX: Specimen, Susan Low-Beer, February 17 – May 4. Sarah Maloney’s Pleasure Ground: A Feminist Take on the Natural World, organized by Art Windsor-Essex. Curated by Jennifer Matotek and Laura Ritchie, March 9 – June 1.

PEER GALLERY, LUNENBURG: Zalman Amit, Douglas Boutilier, Joan Bruneau, Jacqueline Cohen, Anke Holm, Susan Hudson, Barbara McLean, Carol Morrow, David Pember, Michael Peters, Craig Rubadoux, Heather Sayeau, Anne Tweed, Tom Ward and Sally Warren, ongoing.

ROSS CREEK CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, CANNING: in the garden, Ian Funke-McKay and Bree Hyland, April 28 – June 16.

STFX UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY, ANTIGONISH: 2024 StFX Art Department Student Showcase exhibition, opened April 5.

SMU ART GALLERY, HALIFAX: Third Elbow, Mitchell Wiebe, April 23 – July 7. Opening reception: April 22, 6 – 9pm.

TREATY SPACE GALLERY (NSCAD PORT CAMPUS), HALIFAX: Living Languages Mural, Dr. Joshua Schwab-Cartas – Facilitator, April 4 – 29.

LE TRÉCARRÉ, CLARE: Popolo Press : 23 ans d’art dans la rue, Kiva Stimac, April 13 – June 14.

VIEWPOINT GALLERY, BEDFORD: GUILDED, The Photographic Guild of Nova Scotia, April 4 –  28.

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Visual Arts Nova Scotia makes every effort to provide information which is relevant and as complete, up-to-date and accurate as possible. However, neither Visual Arts Nova Scotia (nor any of its employees) can be held responsible to users of the information or any other person for any errors or omissions, or for any losses, costs or claims which arise as a result of relying on such information or advice. The publication of information does not imply an endorsement.

To have your notice or current Nova Scotia exhibition included, please complete this form. All Gallery and Group members of Visual Arts Nova Scotia, will be linked to their individual web pages for exhibition listings, VANS does not include links for other exhibition listings.

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