Fifty years in the making.

Visual Arts Nova Scotia (VANS) started working for artists in 1976. For the past 50 years, we’ve been growing and evolving alongside the artists of this part of Miꞌkmaꞌki.

We continue to create and run programs that support individual artists at all stages of their careers.  Galleries and organizations large and small benefit from being part of our network. Visual Arts News, started out as a newsletter and has grown into a vibrant magazine with critical reviews and features on art and artists in the whole Atlantic Region.

We advocate for art and artists and continue to strive to make the most impact we can on a shoestring budget with a small and dedicated staff, our Board and volunteers.

VANS believes in a future where a career as an artist is accessible, sustainable, and recognized as an integral part of our communities. And we need your help to move toward that vision, now more than ever.

With our $50 for 50 campaign will aim to fill the $23 000 gap left by the cuts to our provincial operating support. We need to stabilize our funding to keep providing the programs our members have come to rely on, and this campaign is a great way for you to help.

Click here to donate now.

You can also give a gift subscription to Visual Arts News. Click here to do that!

And remember, membership renewal time is coming up soon. If you aren’t already signed up for auto renewal, you can click here to renew now.

VANS Values

Equity: Prioritize diverse perspectives and work to dismantle oppressive systems and barriers that exclude equity-deserving artists. Use an intersectional approach to prioritize and uplift underrepresented communities in the visual arts.

Sustainability: Work proactively, responsively, and transparently, while respectfully acknowledging the limitations of our resources, to build a sustainable future for artists. Approach challenges with both optimism and pragmatism, prioritizing consistent effort over urgency.

Connection: Create opportunities for artists to connect with and support each other. Lead with generosity while facilitating opportunities for artists to pursue their careers. Champion artists’ unique contributions to society, offering perspectives to connect us with each other and the world around us.