Listed below are galleries and groups that are current VANS members. Please contact your association if you do not see them listed here. This list is updated as memberships are renewed so check back regularly for updates.

If you are a member of one of these groups you can save 10% on your individual, student, senior or household VANS membership using your organization’s discount code at the checkout. Not sure of the discount code? Contact the gallery or group or contact VANS.

Annapolis Region Community Arts Council (ARCAC) has developed a province-wide and national reputation for being able to generate interesting activities and opportunities within the community. Their membership currently comprises over 150 individuals and families who believe that involvement in the arts makes life both rewarding and fun. They run a year round schedule of workshops, classes, concerts, “coffee house” evenings, readings, slide shows, talks and special events. Through their Scholarship Fund, they assist students of all ages who wish to pursue art-related courses of study.

Art4Happiness is a social enterprise providing free & subsidised art workshops & exhibitions.

Art Lab Studios and Gallery is a co-operative studio gallery in Parrsboro with artists working in a variety of styles and media including paint, ink, clay, stone, photography, fabric, and more. Everyone is welcome to watch artists at work, purchase original pieces, take a workshop, or simply grab an art book from the library, put up your feet and chill with a cuppa.

ATLANTIS: The Association of Artist-Run Centres from the Atlantic was incorporated in 2005 to support and promote the activities of artist-run centres in Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design (the Centre), a non-profit charitable organization, is an integral and leading force in the educational, promotional and economic development of the craft sector on Cape Breton Island with a membership of over 300 individuals and organizations throughout Cape Breton Island, the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw people of Unama’ki.

Chester Art Centre’s mission is to stretch imaginations, awaken curiosity, and energize the inner artist, by inspiring, fostering and sharing the thrill of creative self-expression. Throughout the year they offer classes and workshops taught by working professional artists in diverse mediums. They exhibit the work of local, national and international artists and present the annual Donald Curley Art Lecture Series. Programs are designed to encourage adults, youth and children to learn new skills, take risks and have fun.

Established in 1968, le Conseil des arts de la Baie (CAB) is a non-profit association with a mandate to promote and develop the arts in Clare, Nova Scotia. Le CAB, in collaboration with Atelier La Manivelle and Galerie Le Trécarré, supports the promotion of works in all disciplines through exhibitions, exchanges, workshops, conferences and artist residencies.

Dalhousie University Art Gallery is a public art gallery, an academic support unit within the educational and research context of Dalhousie University, and a cultural resource for the whole community.

Eltuek Arts Centre/Ta’n etl-mawita’mk is an arts centre and creative hub operated by New Dawn Enterprises in Sydney. They are a non-profit cultural organization that offers affordable and accessible work space for artists, host exhibitions and programming, event rental spaces for the community, and feature the Better Bite Cafe and Community Kitchen, as well as several anchor tenants. They convene an Elders Advisory Committee comprised of Elders from the Island’s five Mi’kmaw communities. The Elders Advisory Committee works to ensure that the building and its programming are safe, welcoming, and relevant to Mi’kmaw artists and community members. They also convene an Advisory Committee that consists of artists, tenants, and members of the creative community across Unama’ki/Cape Breton. They strongly believe in all the benefits of the arts to communities — their ability to transform places, give people hope, give people a new way to see themselves and the world, start conversations, connect, challenge, bring joy. Eltuek Arts Centre is artist-led and artist-focused.

Eyelevel is a not-for-profit charitable artist-run centre dedicated to the presentation, development and promotion of contemporary art. Through a range of programming initiatives such as exhibitions, performances, and special projects, Eyelevel has established itself as a supportive environment that fosters the research and development of innovative artistic practices. They have provided a forum for the discussion and presentation of contemporary visual art in Halifax for more than 40 years.

Hammer and Sky Studios, a not-for-profit artist space, is located on Brier Island, an island at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. They offer two week residencies to artists from all backgrounds and at any stage of their career. The residency is suitable for visual artists, performers, writers and musicians. The facilities include a restored heritage church with a common studio, space for workshops and exhibitions. Also on site are 2 private studios and a vintage printing press.

Located in the charming town of Wolfville in Nova Scotia’s bountiful Annapolis Valley, Harvest Gallery features a wonderfully diverse collection of art and fine craft by Nova Scoita artists and artisans. Curator, Lynda Macdonald has been representing the best of the region since 2004.

Patti Durkee opened Hubert and Belle’s Art and Decor in 2015 in beautiful Port Maitland, Nova Scotia. They’re proud to offer the highest quality, most unique merchandise on the market today. From their family to yours, they put lots of love and careful attention in each item.

The Lunenburg Art Gallery Society is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit community gallery with around 150 members each year. They welcome artists at every level of skill and experience, and provide the opportunity to participate in monthly themed exhibitions. A launching pad for emerging artists and a gathering space for established professionals for over 50 years, LAGS is also the official home of The Earl Bailly Collection.

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.

Manual Training Collective is a group of artists work in a clean and congenial environment in practices that include: painting, drawing, video, sculpture, multi-media, jewelry, design, textiles, and installation. The Collective has been in operation for over eleven years, and is located in downtown Halifax.

Maritime Painted Saltbox Fine Art Gallery features the work of artists Tom Alway and Peter Blais. Fine Art, Folk Art and one-of-a-kind furniture pieces on two floors in a unique barn setting by the river in Petite Riviere.

The Northumberland Arts Council’s The Fraser promotes arts, crafts and cultural activities in the North Shore area and helps preserve and present this area’s heritage. The Fraser is located in Tatamagouche in the Northumberland Shore region.

NSCAD University (The Anna). Established in 1968, the Anna Leonowens Gallery is a public exhibition space within the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University. With three locations, two storefront premises in Granville mall in historic downtown Halifax and the Port Loggia on Halifax’s waterfront, the Anna has hosted over 4400 exhibitions and projects to date in its 50-year history. The Gallery mounts over 125 exhibitions and over 50 events a year, consistently attracting more than 20,000 visitors annually.

Peer Gallery is an artists co-operative gallery formed January, 2002. The Peer Gallery of Contemporary Art is truly worth a special trip to Lunenburg, and Nova Scotia’s South shore.

Since its launch in 2011, the Peggy’s Cove Area Art Society (formerly known as the Peggy’s Cove Area Festival of the Arts Society) has grown quickly from a dream into a full-fledged not-for-profit society of artists. Its mission is to bring together a community of artists to foster growth and development; and provide opportunities to share our work, knowledge, ideas, and passions.

Picture Perfect Tours‘ mission is to make you a better photographer! They inspire Maritime staycations by teaching you how to create the stunning travel images you’ve always hoped for. Their local photo guides will showcase their professional secrets to composing perfect postcards and Instagrammable hits.

St Francis Xavier University Art Gallery in Antigonish features exhibitions that support Nova Scotia artists, art organizations, and galleries. Although the StFX Art Gallery operates on a very modest budget as provided by the university, it still manages to be quite active. To date, it hosts approximately twelve exhibitions each year and attracts nearly 10,000 visitors annually.

Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery was the first purpose-built university art gallery in Halifax. The gallery focuses on contemporary art, featuring emerging and established artists active on the regional, national and international levels.

7Arts is a volunteer run community art space located in Greenwood, Nova Scotia. They engage the local community by providing an inclusive, welcoming, accessible, and creative space. Their mission is to teach, support and promote the Arts and art education in Greenwood and surrounding area. Their vision is to advance the public’s appreciation and understanding of the Arts in the Greenwood and Kingston area. Their goal is to establish partnerships with community, government, and social groups to ensure every person has access to the healing power of creativity.

The Turret Arts Space Society is a not-for-profit started by representatives from Khyber Arts Society, Friends of the Khyber, and Neptune Theatre, along with a broad range of artists and community professionals who are dedicated to restoring the Khyber Building in Halifax. Their mission is to create collaborative multidisciplinary space that nurtures creativity, encourages experimentation and supports the development of artists and new artistic expression.

ViewPoint Gallery is an artist-run co-operative dedicated to inspiring, engaging, educating and promoting the art of photography.

Wonder’neath Art Society, located in North End Halifax, brings professional artists and local residents together in dynamic arts exploration through programs, education, artist studios and outreach.

The Yarmouth Art Society was founded in the 1950’s with the stated mission to bring together visual artists and persons interested in the visual arts to exchange information and ideas; promote art in the community by regular exhibitions, workshops, programs and special events open to the public; and encourage children’s art by any appropriate means. The Yarmouth Art Society is an organization open to all who are interested in the visual arts. They support art activities and workshops.

CFNS PENSION & HEALTH PLANS AVAILABLE TO FULL TIME STAFF OF VANS GROUP OR GALLERY MEMBERS. VANS is pleased to offer the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia (CFNS) Pension & Health Plans are now available for current Gallery and Group VANS members who have paid staff (not individuals nor individual artists). There is a $250 affiliate member fee payable to CFNS that covers the costs of plan administration. Please click here for more information.