This is our bi-weekly newsletter of opportunities and information for artists. Become a member of VANS 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 #584
December 11, 2024

INDEX:

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

VANS Matters

On behalf of the eight federations that comprise the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia (including VANS), we warmly invite you to our 2024 Holiday Gathering! Join us as we celebrate the culture, artistry, and heritage of Nova Scotia with an evening filled with festive cheer on Thursday, December 12, drop in between 4 pm – 7 pm at the CFNS Offices, 1113 Marginal Road, Downtown Halifax (Garrison Building). Enjoy light snacks, drinks, live music, a holiday photobooth, and more as we come together to toast the holiday season and the vibrant cultural community we share.

This will be the last newsletter before the holidays. The VANS office will be closed from Friday, December 20, 2024 to Sunday, January 5, 2025. We’ll be back to work Monday, January 6, 2025 and the next newsletter should be later that week. Happy Holidays from the team at VANS: Therese, Andrea, Carri, and Fikayo.

Previously posted:

THANK YOU for being a VANS member in 2024! As the end of the year approaches, remember to renew your VANS membership before it expires on December 31! If you selected an automatically renewing membership when you joined or renewed last year, then automatically charged your 2025 membership fees on December 1, 2024. 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 out of auto-renew. VANS also has membership bursaries. 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. Need more info or renewal options? Email communicate@visualarts.ns.ca. If you want to know more about what VANS was up to in 2024, you can read more here.

Re/collections is a free, community group installation that invites the public to experience an interactive exhibition that charts and catalogs Visual Arts Nova Scotia’s forty-eight years of cultural impact across Mi’kma’ki. Taking place at the Corridor Gallery, located within the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia (1113 Marginal Rd, Halifax, NS B3H 4P7), Visual Arts Nova Scotia’s installation, Re/collections, provides the public with an abbreviated timeline of the cultural and artistic contributions fostered by the organization. Tactile and interactive by design, the installation features an array of media (artworks, articles, photographs, exhibition paraphernalia, and other haptic objects of interest) beginning with the inaugural Fall 1976 edition of the magazine, Visual Arts News. Access labels will provide viewers with legible descriptions of selected works. The exhibition is was part of Nocturne Art at Night festival but is still up in the VANS Corridor Gallery. Re/collections is organized by Dan Edmonds, Visual Arts Nova Scotia’s Archiving and Documentation Intern.

Visual Arts Nova Scotia is pleased to officially announce the participants of this year’s Mentorship Program. After receiving many great applications, the program will be supporting four dedicated emerging artists in Nova Scotia. Solmaz Asheri, Elise Campbell, Jools Annie (Julia Hutt), and Adam McNamara and have been individually paired with established artists and mentors François Gaudet, Barbara Lounder, Jessica Winton, and Andrew Maize.

You can now purchase VANS limited-edition merch! The black cotton tote bag ($25) and iridescent stickers ($5/each) are sold individually or as a bundle of all three VANS merch items ($30). The merch was designed by VANS member and artist AGLENNCO and produced by Copy Shop Books. You can buy them at the VANS office or in our online shop (and we’ll mail them to you). We are selling VANS merch as a fundraiser so get yours today and show your support! Click here for more info and to purchase: https://visualarts.ns.ca/shop-category/vans-merch/.

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.

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.

A subscription to Visual Arts News makes the perfect gift for the art-lover in your life and costs just $24. 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

Calling professional Canadian visual artists! The Sobey Art Foundation is working with a national group of artists to explore new ways to support contemporary Canadian artists. A Future for Artists survey, created in partnership with Shoreline Collaboratives, aims to gain a better understanding of the working conditions and needs of professional artists. Complete the survey and be entered to win one of five $500 cash prizes! Your opinion is important. Take the survey today: www.afutureforartists.ca. This survey closes on December 16. 

Creative Pictou County is seeking submissions for four curated group exhibitions at the deCoste Culture Hub in Pictou in 2025. The exhibitions are “Open theme” (February 3 – March 15), “Textiles” (April 28 – June 7), “Colour” (July 21 – August 30), and “10×10” (October 14 – November 22). The hanging system at the deCoste Culture Hub uses suspended wire and hooks. Paintings and prints must be framed and frames must have wire on the back. For non-frameable works (such as textiles) Creative Pictou County will work with the chosen artist(s) to showcase the work. Creative Pictou County will take a 20% commission on any works sold. Sold work may be picked up once the exhibition is completed. If you have any questions, please email Carissa@creativepictoucounty.com. Each exhibition has their own deadline to apply, but the first deadline is December 19.

Previously posted:

There is a large space available for rent on Kempt Road in Halifax that could be used as a shared communal artists space. The owner doesn’t have much time to run it, and seeks someone with a bit of ambition and vision interested in managing the space who could take it over. It would be a great opportunity for someone to get a studio space for free for themselves, provide super affordable studio spaces for the community and make a bit of a profit for themselves. You could rent out space for a low price and give you the freedom to augment your needs, find renters to fill the space, manage and run the space how you would like, make reasonable modifications to the space, have a private office/studio to work from and rent another area or rent out the entire space. It is a shared spaces that can be divided and separated or left open with one big open space and two separate lockable studios connected to it (30×30 windows, 15×15 no windows, and 10×10 windows), keypad entry with 24-hour access, chairs and dividers, desks included, bathrooms/sinks in the building, Wifi included. Rental cost is $1600 Per month (everything included). Contact Brandon Tolliver at brantoll7@gmail.com or 902-452-4654.

Eltuek Arts Centre will have two private studio spaces open up for December 1, as well as a handful of hot desks in the Open Studio. These spaces are open to visual artists of all mediums and writers. They are affordable, inspiring, and accessible. Artists have 24/7-hour access to their space as well as a wonderful ecosystem of artists currently working in the building. If you know of an artist or writer who may be interested, please feel free to direct them to their general contact at eltuek@newdawn.ca.

Parrsboro Creative is looking for volunteers to help with Winter Programming. Ideas are floating around for courses, artist’s talks and other fun events in the new year, if you would like to help with the creativity and the planning please reach out parrsborocreative@gmail.com.

Attention nonprofit professionals: NSCC is pleased to announce that their Nonprofit Leadership graduate certificate program will be moving to both full-time and part-time delivery in September of 2025. Additionally, the program’s entrance requirements have been updated to include industry experience as a pathway into the program via NSCC’s PLAR policy. In anticipation of these important changes, they are looking to gather some feedback from our nonprofit industry stakeholders to support the continuous improvement of this program, while raising awareness of this pathway for professional development in the sector. Take a few minutes to complete this short survey to give them feedback on industry trends and program curriculum.

Hallie Watson’s exhibition Farm Walk: Large Works will take place November 1 – December 19 at the Saint John Art Centre in Saint John, NB and you are invited!

Eyelevel’s 50/50/50 Archive Fundraiser. For their 50th anniversary, Eyelevel is celebrating all the artists they we have worked with over the last 50 years! The boxes come in a cardboard container branded with a 50/50/50 sticker. Each box contains 25 items from Eyelevel’s archives, each box is different, and full of surprises from the past and present. Everything on the bookstore website can be shipped right to your door, bought in person, or arranged for curbside pickup. Eyelevel bookstore hours are in person 12-5 pm, Wednesday to Friday, and online 24/7. The boxes are limited edition with only 50 available and they will only be selling them until December 13, 2024. Purchase a 50/50/50 box through their bookstore here!

The NSCAD Jewellery Design & Metalsmithing department is conducting a research study titled, Jewellery Making, Manufacturing and Marketing in Atlantic Canada, aimed at gaining deeper insights into the practices, challenges, and innovations within our regional jewellery industry. The study is initiated by Professor Sims’ JEMM (Jewellery: Engaged Making & Manufacturing) research lab. Respondents should be over the age of 18 years and should have professional experience (emerging or established) within jewellery related industries, whether as an artist, maker, manufacturer, supplier, educator, service-provider, promoter, entrepreneur, business or retailer etc. The survey will take approximately 30-50 minutes to complete. Participation is entirely voluntary and will remain confidential to the extent of one’s choosing. The insights gathered will be used for academic purposes, aiming to enhance understanding and potentially drive positive changes within the industry. In appreciation of participants’ time and effort, they are offering a chance to win a $50 gift card from Yu Yo Craft Supply and Tea House a local Nova Scotia (and online) jewellery supply store (5 prizes in total will be awarded).

The Canadian government has passed Bill S-202 which will create Canada’s first parliamentary visual artist laureate (like the poet laureate). The visual artist laureate position will be a two-year term, with a mandate to promote, foster, develop and bring awareness to the visual arts in Canada. The visual arts laureate will produce art or “cause to be produced artistic creations at the request of the Speaker, especially for use in Parliament on occasions of state,” as well as sponsor artistic events, including exhibitions, and give advice on the collection and acquisitions for the Library of Parliament. Details are still being finalized, but the position will be open to all Canadians and the primary official language will alternate.  Applications for the new position will be made to the Library of Parliament. The Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons will select the parliamentary visual artist laureate from three names submitted in confidence by a committee that includes the Parliamentary Librarian of Canada, the director of the National Gallery of Canada, the commissioner of Official Languages for Canada, the chairperson of the Canada Council for the Arts and the president of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts or designates.

Hal-Con will be launching a scholarship for Visual or Performing Arts, with preference given to those with a vested interest in the genres of Sci-Fi or Fantasy. They are partnering with the Nova Scotia Talent Trust to establish this opportunity for emerging artists. Founded in 1944, the Talent Trust is a registered charity that provides scholarships to aspiring Nova Scotian artists studying music, dance, film, theatre, literary arts, and visual arts. Hal-Con is going to match your donations to DOUBLE the impact! Donate to Hal-Con Scholarship Fund today.

2B Theatre has arts space for rent at the former Video Difference Building on Quinpool Road in Halifax. The Criterion Room with Rehearsal Support Space has been in full swing this season with 2 productions rehearsing that opened at the Bus Stop Theatre, and 1 full production workshop, in addition to many smaller/shorter rehearsal bookings in between. They have several options for meeting spaces… and are working to develop more options to host folks for co-working  / part time office or meeting space. If you are interested please get in touch! Please send an email to bookings@2btheatre.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Register for Ceramic Bust Sculpting with Fenn Martin at The Arts House in Antigonish. During this 5 week class, participants will create one 1/2 or 3/4 size bust of a person of your choice. Whether you’re new to clay or not, this class will deepen your 3-dimentional figurative skills and hone your understanding of the properties and of clay. Includes 10 kg of clay and all necessary tools, no experience necessary. The class is on Thursdays, 2 – 5pm January 16 – February 13. Cost is $260.

Registration is now open for Winter/Spring Workshops at the Lunenburg School of the Arts! Head over to their website to check out the fantastic programs lead by talented artist-instructors. From after-school art to advanced ceramics, one day or multi-week workshops, there is sure to be something for everyone!

Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design invited artists to the upcoming Train the Trainers workshop. Join them on December 14th from 10AM-3:30PM with Lynda Lou MacIntyre where you’ll learn how to communicate your unique artistic skills to others. You’ll learn the principles of adult education and how to facilitate a training program. Lynda Lou has worked as an art teacher for the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education, has taught countless art workshops, has been a mentor for many students and currently teaches jewellery making here at the Centre. Email tammy@capebretoncraft.com for all the details and to register!

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NSCAD Extended Studies is offering lots of online classes this winter so you can learn from anywhere in the province. Check out their Winter Online Classes, including Introductory Drawing, Draw II: Beyond the Basics, Introductory Acrylic Painting, Introductory Watercolour Painting,The Fundamentals of Figure Drawing, AutoBiographical Comics, Watercolour Painting: Birds of a Feather, Watercolour Painting: Shells and Crustaceans, Web Design, and Introduction to Design: Visual communication. You can check out all their classes and register here.

Looking to get your creative juices flowing? Take a workshop this fall at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft! Their workshops foster collective creativity, encourage individual expression, and promote innovation. They are offering Felting Snowman Ornament – December 14.

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.

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 

CKDU 88.1 FM celebrates 40 years on-air February 1, 2025, and are looking for a t-shirt design to release as a limited series for their 40th anniversary! CKDU is Kjipuktuk’s only campus-community radio station broadcasting from Dalhousie University 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Designs should include: station name and dial “CKDU 88.1 FM”, years on air (since 1985) “40 years on air”, location “Kjipuktuk Mi’kma’ki”, and no more than 3 print colours (+ t-shirt colour as negative space). Any style or imagery welcome. Ideas for imagery inspiration include radio, vintage, record/tape players, microphones, headphones, locally known structures/landscapes– but please be your creative selves! The selected designer will receive $200 for the use of their design. For more information about CKDU, check out their website. Submit designs via email to operations@ckdu.ca. Deadline: January 5

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is hiring a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Located in downtown Oshawa, ON, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) is the largest public art gallery in the rapidly growing Durham Region which has a population of more than 750 thousand. As an artist-centered and community-oriented public art gallery, the RMG brings people from diverse backgrounds together to engage with art that inspires new perspectives, generates meaningful conversations, and creates a sense of belonging. This is an exciting opportunity to lead an artist-centred and creative organization, possessing an important collection of Canadian abstract and contemporary art. The CEO will utilize their passion for visual arts and embrace the Gallery’s approach to sharing compelling cultural stories through art. With a renewed strategic plan in place, the CEO will advance the RMG’s vision, mission and strategic priorities as they oversee Gallery operations. The base salary range for this role is between $125,000 to $130,000, commensurate with experience. In addition, the RMG offers comprehensive health and dental benefits, matching RRSP contributions, and a hybrid work policy. Deadline: December 12.

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Ross Creek Centre for the Arts in Canning looking for the perfect person to be their Director of Programming, and they can’t wait to find that person who loves the Valley and the arts and want to make this their home. Their ideal candidate has or has had a strong visual arts practise with a love of alternative forms of education and collaboration. Start date is negotiable, but ASAP! Ross Creek is also looking to hire next season’s cohort earlier so they have more time with them to get ready for the bigger camp seasons. They will be focussing on Post Secondary students so if you think camp life, the theatre, or admin might be an amazing way to spend your summer, apply now!

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

Inverness County Centre for the Arts would like to invite you to join them for a festive evening of drinks, live entertainment, and a silent auction as they plan the closing of their 2024 season. This fundraiser for their 2025 programming will be the perfect opportunity to find some great last minute gifts for your loved ones. The party will take place on December 14th at 7 pm at the ICCA, 16080 Highway 19 in Inverness. Live entertainment will highlight the local talents of Claverhouse, and Abbey Mullendore with Steve Luxton. Tickets are $30, and available at invernessarts.com/all-upcoming-events.

Coastal Pigments Ornament Decorating Event is being hosted at The Dart Gallery in Dartmouth. Join us on Saturday, December 14th, 12 – 3pm as Coastal Pigments invites people of all ages to celebrate the holiday season with a special day of creativity and fun. Whether you’re young or young at heart, this event is the perfect way to get festive, make memories, and create personalized holiday keepsakes with your friends, family, or kids. Decorate wooden laser-cut ornaments using an array of paints, glitters, ribbons, and festive adornments to design something uniquely yours. This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy quality time with loved ones—without worrying about cleanup afterward!

Parrsboro Creative presents Sip and Sketch, every Sunday afternoon between 2 – 4pm at the Two Islands Brewery in Parrsboro. Bring pens, pencils, markers, or your favourite sketching medium and paper. Let your imagination roam, or sketch the pub scene while chatting and sipping a refreshing beverage with fellow artists. Open to all. 

What lies beyond the sea شو في خلف البحر؟ Art sale and fundraiser for the ASP is on Sunday, December 15, 12 – 6 PM at the Khyber in Halifax. What lies beyond the sea شو في خلف البحر؟ is a photography exhibit and print sale featuring award winning photographers from the MENA region. The artists featured tell stories from our sea, reflecting on their culture and the way they celebrate life. All proceeds will support independent journalists working in Lebanon. This is a one day only event, you don’t want to miss it. Follow @lebdiasporaatlantic for event updates and artist features.

It’s Craft Show season! Check out 2024 Holiday Craft and Artisan Markets in Nova Scotia and the Farmers’ Market Holiday Events. Support local artists!

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Halifax Vendor Market is Sunday, December 15 at the Light House Arts Centre, 11 am – 5 pm. At the heart of this unique event lies a passionate mission – to celebrate and empower small businesses of all kinds. 70+ Vendors! Free Entry! Handcrafted Art, Crafts, Food, Vintage, Family & Fun.

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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 in Canning offers 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 an 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.

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

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 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

ACADIA UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY, WOLFVILLE: Beyond La Llorona: Women & Resistance in Oaxacan Printmaking, curated by Dr. Laurie Dalton, September 12 – January 31.

ANNA LEONOWENS GALLERY (NSCAD), HALIFAX: Galleries 1, 2 & 3: KNOCK KNOCK, MFA Group Exhibition, December 3 – 14.

ARGYLE FINE ART, HALIFAX: STICK EM’ UP 2024, Group show, November 29 – December 13.

ART GALLERY OF NOVA SCOTIA, HALIFAX: 2023 Nova Scotia Art Bank Purchases Exhibition, ongoing. Léopold L. Foulem: Reshaping Function, ongoing. 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. Recent Acquisitions: Carol Wainio, ongoing. Three Dimensions, Jennifer Marman & Daniel Borins, until January 26, 2025.

ART LAB, PARRSBORO: Art Lab Artists, November 23 – December 14.

ARTSPLACE, ANNAPOLIS ROYAL: Main Gallery: All That We Are, Roxane Fiore, November 2 – December 20. Library Gallery: Open the Sky Doors, Cortney Cassidy, November 16 – December 20. Breathing Space, Stephanie Kossmann; Shift, Grace Butland, November 30 – December 20.

THE BLUE BUILDING GALLERY, HALIFAX:  I Turn Babies, Michael Fernandes,  November 30 – February 15. Opening reception: November 30, 6pm.

CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY, SYDNEY: ‘Kina’masultinej’, Dannerri Anne Marie Gould, Rosalee Doucette-MacNeil, Jocelyn Marshall and Neve Stevens, until February 21;  Wheels Without Borders: Eagar Brothers’ Auto Rickshaw, ongoing.

CHESTER ART CENTRE, CHESTER: People’s Portrait Prize, January 9 – 25. Closing reception and award gala: January 25, 6pm.

THE CRAIG GALLERY, DARTMOUTH: Main and Case Gallery: Mechanical Moments – A Collection of Kinetic Art, Chris Little (LoHiFi), November 26  – December 29.

DALHOUSIE ART GALLERY, HALIFAX: 69th Annual Student, Staff, Faculty and Alumni Exhibition, November 29 – December 22.

DESBRISAY MUSEUM, BRIDGEWATER: The Warrior In Me, until December 31. Working Boats, Bridgewater Photo Club, until January 31.

HERMES, HALIFAX: Forget About the Art, Let’s Party! 2006 Time Capsule Revival Exhibition, December 7 – 29.

ICE HOUSE GALLERY, TATAMAGOUCHE: Nova Scotia Potters Guild Retrospective, November 2 – December 15.

KATZMAN ART PROJECTS, HALIFAX: Recommended for Mature Audiences, Jessica Korderas, December 13 – January 14.

THE KHYBER, HALIFAX: Shame(less), Shame(less), Shame(less), Nina Acosta Bello and Verónica Gutiérrez, until December 14.

KING’S THEATRE, ANNAPOLIS ROYAL: Yolanda Goulet Marsolais, November 20 – December 30.

LUNENBURG ART GALLERY, LUNENBURG: Alex Joyce-Johnson, December 13 – 15.

LUNENBURG SCHOOL OF THE ARTS, LUNENBURG: Tom Forrestall Tribute, December.

MARY E. BLACK GALLERY, HALIFAX: Neriage Work, Isako Suzuki, November 7 – January 5.

MSVU ART GALLERY, HALIFAX: Annual Mount Community Show, December 4 – 19. Timeless Forms, Dawn MacNutt, January 18 – April 12.

PEER GALLERY, LUNENBURG: Peer Gallery Members Artists exhibit together throughout the season. 2024/5 members are: Zalman Amit, Diana Baldwin, Teresa Bergen, Douglas Boutilier, Joan Bruneau, Steve Farmer, Susan Hudson, Barbara McLean, Carol Morrow, Michael Peters, Craig Rubadoux, Anne Tweed, Heather Sayeau, Allyson Simmie, Tom Ward and Sally Warren.

GALERIE PÈRE-LÉGER-COMEAU, POINTE-DE-L’ÉGLISE:  Et maintenant, quelque chose d’absolument différent, Conseil des arts de la Baie members, December 14 – February 27.

ROSS CREEK CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, CANNING: Flax Ecologies Exhibition, Jennifer Green’s Flaxmobile Project, November 12 – December 15.

ST FX UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY, ANTIGONISH: Len and Cub, curated by Meredith J. Batt and Dusty Green, January 9 – February 1.

SMU ART GALLERY, HALIFAX: The NEW Secret Adventures of Thesis Sahib & Friends, James Kirkpatrick, Steve Ruthe, October 5 – December 15.

THE SUNROOM (HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY), HALIFAX: Bloom, Alice Jennex, November 17 – December 28.

TIDES CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY, KENTVILLE: Jennifer Goddard, December 4 – 23.

TREATY SPACE GALLERY (NSCAD), HALIFAX: Kindle & Kindred, Gabriel Maclean, December 3 – 13.

VIEWPOINT GALLERY, BEDFORD: Annual Cards and Minis Sale, December 5 – 22.

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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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