The Visual Arts Nova Scotia (VANS) office is staffed by an Executive Director, Programming Coordinator, and the PAINTS Coordinator.
VANS Personnel
Therese Cruz – Executive Director
Therese is a community engager, artist and a mother. An immigrant from the Philippines, she moved to Toronto, Ontario to pursue her studies in jewellery arts, then relocated to Shelburne, Nova Scotia in 2017 with her family. Her interests take her to explore the culinary arts, as well as painting, rug hooking and tapestry weaving. She is a member/volunteer in multiple organizations. Her motivation to be part of VANS is to be in arts administration that creates multiple avenues for local artists to gain exposure and be able to advocate and promote on their behalf. For issues concerning advocacy for the arts, volunteering, and fundraising, she can be emailed directly at director@visualarts.ns.ca.
Carri MacKay – Programming Coordinator
Carri has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from NSCAD, a Bachelor of Education specializing in Visual Art from MSVU, and a Master of Museum Studies specializing in Public Programming from the University of Toronto. Previously, she taught art and ceramics for a number of years in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) and has worked in arts admin for university art centres, and public and commercial art galleries. In addition to being the Programming Coordinator at VANS, Carri works as a tutor at the NSCAD Writing Centre where she helps students improve their written work. She also enjoys hanging out and making art with her toddler. For issues concerning your membership, workshops, programs, or joining VANS, she can be emailed at communicate@visualarts.ns.ca.
Andrea Ritchie – Professional Artists in the Schools (PAINTS) Coordinator
Andrea was born & lives in Kjipuktuk (Halifax). She has worked as an administrator with organizations including The Irondale Ensemble Project, AFCOOP, The Halifax Jazz Festival, suddenlyLISTEN Music, ANSM and Word On The Street. Since 2006, Andrea has been the Coordinator of PAINTS, a province-wide artist in the schools program of Visual Arts Nova Scotia. As a costume designer, she has worked with theatre and performance companies, including Ship’s Company Theatre, One Light Theatre, Zuppa Theatre, Hear Here Productions, Theatre New Brunswick, Neptune Theatre, Keep Good Company Theatre, the Sense Archive and The Irondale Ensemble Project. All of Andrea’s work involves making and holding space for creation, for connection, for nourishing community. For information about PAINTS or VANS in Residence, email paints@visualarts.ns.ca.
Fikayo Kayode – Social Media and Community Outreach Coordinator
Fikayo is a creative, poet and writer. She enjoys mixing art mediums and storytelling through visuals. With a background in Political Science and Philosophy, she is passionate about community engagement and bringing people together to create, share processes, advocate and learn. Through her podcast and community, she shares her life experience and fulfills this passion. Other work she does includes health and community-related research for a breast cancer project with the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University, modelling, freelance writing and creative direction. Fikayo brings this experience and commitment to her work with VANS and member artists/ other creatives in the community. She generally works Monday – Thursday and can be reached at social@visualarts.ns.ca for social media collaborations and ideas, community events and initiatives and ways VANS may be able to work with artists. When not working or resting, you can find Fikayo at a café, planning or performing at open mics in the city, creating visual content or recording for her podcast.
Contact
Visual Arts Nova Scotia
1113 Marginal Road
Halifax, NS B3H 4P7
phone: 902-423-4694
toll free: 866-225-8267
vans@visualarts.ns.ca
Regular office hours: The VANS office is open by appointment Monday to Thursday so please email to make an appointment before you come. Staff often work from home, so the best way to reach us is by email. We are closed Fridays and most holidays.
Accessibility: The VANS office exterior entrance (facing the NSCAD Port Campus on the harbour side of Marginal Road) is on level ground and is wheelchair accessible. Our doors are not automatic, however staff are visible from the entryway and available to assist visitors. There is also another office entrance in the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia (CFNS) building. The door to the CFNS, where VANS in located, has an accessible button to push for automatic entry during business hours.
Also in the CFNS are two all-gender washrooms, one of which is accessible, located on the main floor. The CFNS Boardroom, where VANS workshops may be located, is up one flight of stairs. If you have concerns about accessibility, including for a workshop, please get in touch as there may be the option to relocate workshops to our accessible, level common area.
VANS strives to be scent-free and encourages our visitors to do the same.
We are pet-friendly.
Parking is complimentary on weekdays after 6 pm and on weekends for workshops. The #29 bus takes you closest to VANS (it stops near Terminal Rd and Lower Water St), and the #90 and #7B stop a short walk away.