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 #588
February 19, 2025

INDEX:

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


VANS Matters

It’s time for the spring round of the Peer Application Review Groups! Visual Arts Nova Scotia is facilitating this free, six-week peer-review process to help current members strengthen their upcoming proposals. Artists will get and give feedback by email on applications from two peers, matched based on the type of application that is being made. If you’re writing a grant or residency application or an exhibition proposal, join a Peer Application Review Group to have your writing looked over by other VANS members writing similar applications. Participants will be given two rough draft deadlines and will be expected to send edits back to their peers the following week. Since it is all done by email, you can participate from anywhere and connect with other artists across the province. Previous participants have had their projects funded/ approved so it is definitely a worthwhile process! Deadline: February 24.

VANS will be offering online and in-person workshops for our Spring Workshop Series in April and May and we’d love to get your feedback about which professional development workshops we should offer, where, and when. Let us know what you would like to see VANS offer by completing the Spring 2025 Workshop Survey, here: https://forms.gle/skoT3c5Tcy4E2mP78. Then we would really appreciate it if you’d share this survey with artists and groups in your network. The survey takes less than four minutes to complete and helps us build programming based on the needs expressed by artists across the province. We want to offer professional development workshops that will be beneficial to you. Please complete the survey by February 24.

Previously posted:

Visual Arts Nova Scotia is pleased to announce a new workshop series –  Getting it Together: Taxes and Financial Literacy for CreativesThis new three-part workshop series is designed to help artists get more comfortable, organized and empowered when it comes to their finances and taxes. Led by Sally Wolchyn-Raab, Co-Director of Eyelevel Artist-run Centre, Getting it Together has two online workshops jam-packed with great info and a final do-our-taxes-together in-person workshop. Workshop #1 is Tax basics for artists, Workshop #2 is Financial management for creative freelancers, and the in-person Workshop #3 is a Tax filing prep group! The workshops in this series are only $40 each for VANS members ($50 for non-members) or you can bundle all three for just $100 ($130 for Non-members). For more info and to register, visit the Workshops page of the VANS website: visualarts.ns.ca/program/workshops-webinars/.

Did you know that Canadians now have until February 28 to make a donation that is eligible for a 2024 tax receipt? Help VANS support artists and communities by making a donation in the category that feels right for you: VANS’ area of greatest needs, Membership Bursary, VANS Artist Emergency Fund, and the PAINTS Program. We appreciate your support (in any amount, in any way) and all donations over $20 receive a tax receipt.

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 bursariesIf 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 a free and downloadable PODCAST RESOURCE GUIDE as a follow-up to the HEAR TELL PODCAST TRAINING PROGRAM. It contains all kinds of free and helpful information for artists, creatives and anyone interested in starting their own podcast project. Feel free to share this link with anyone who might be interested: https://visualarts.ns.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Hear-Tell-Resource-Guide.pdf. What’s included in the HEAR TELL digital publication? Almost everything! See below for an overview:
Part 1: Podcast Production The Nuts and Bolts
Part 2: Podcast Publishing & Discoverability
Part 3: Podcast Marketing & Promotion
Part 4: Monetization & Other Ways to Fund Your Podcast
Part 5: Helpful Links & Resources for Arts Podcasting

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

Are you ready to ignite the power of collaboration to confront the climate crisis? The Crossing Boundaries Symposium  invites visionaries from the arts, sciences, and engineering to step forward with bold ideas that challenge conventions, spark creativity, and drive climate action. This is no ordinary conference—it’s a space where data meets design, where oceanographers and biologists exchange insights with installation artists and performance makers, and where your expertise can fuel a Canadian movement toward environmental resilience.  Whether you’re an artist finding inspiration in ecosystems or a scientist eager to translate your research into impactful narratives, this symposium is for you. Join them in Ottawa (May 3 – 4) for two dynamic days of dialogue, discovery, and collective problem-solving. Together, they’ll explore how multidisciplinary approaches combined with the intrinsic value of the natural world and nature-based solutions can deepen public engagement and inspire meaningful change. They are looking to bring together artists, scientists, engineers and practitioners working in teams or alone at the intersection of the arts and sciences, including those engaged in areas of biology with non-human subjects, meteorology, oceanography, and environmental sciences. Please submit an abstract to speak at the Crossing Boundaries Symposium—Mobilizing STEAM to Tackle Climate Change. Selected artists will receive renumeration as per CARFAC fee schedule, and a letter of invitation to support travel grant. Deadline: February 28 by 23:59 EST.

The Turret Arts Space will launch a letter writing campaign on February 20th to garner attention and support for the renovation of 1588 Barrington Street, Halifax. They’re gearing up for their pitch for the Halifax Regional Municipality’s Community Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee on March 20th, 2025. They need you to show your support for bringing the arts back to downtown Halifax. Stay alert on the official opening of the letter campaign by joining the letter writing crew and following along on their socials:Facebook: Turret Arts Space, Instagram: turretarts.space, BluySky: turretarts.bsky.social. Learn more about the Turret Arts Space; the history of the building and the goals for the future by visiting their website: https://www.turretartsspace.ca/.

Previously posted:

Le Conseil des arts de la Baie (Le CAB) presents And Now for Something Completely Differenta members’ exhibition featuring new, experimental, and playful works. The exhibition runs from January 18 to February 27, 2025, at the Galerie Père-Léger-Comeau, Bernardin-J-Comeau Building, Sainte-Anne’s University, Highway 1, Church Point, NS, B0W1M0. Free admission. Gallery hours: Weekdays 9 am to 4:30 pm. For more information visit: www.lecab.ca

Music Nova Scotia announces exciting opportunity for youth 18 and under to join their community for free!  The Youth Membership program is designed to help young music enthusiasts, creators, and industry hopefuls access resources, events, and connections in Nova Scotia’s vibrant music scene—all at no cost. Here’s how youth can sign up or renew their membership: Visit Music NS membership page at https://musicnovascotia.ca/join-mns/, Select the membership type (e.g., “Individual”), Check the box indicating they are under 19, then Enter the code YOUTH25P during the registration process to activate the free membership.

United Way Halifax is pleased to announce that ED Academy, a training program successfully launched by United Way PEI and SRL Solutions in 2022, is launching across all three Maritime provinces (NB, NS, and PEI)! This professional development program is designed to equip new executive directors with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead successful non-profit organizations. The 12-month program with both virtual and in-person training focuses on developing confident, capable leaders who can navigate the complexities of nonprofit management with assurance and strategic clarity. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of organizational vision and governance, strategy, strategic planning, revenue generation, and how to run their day-to-day operations. Starting in April 2025, ED Academy offers a low-cost investment at only $1000 for the full program. With locations in all three Maritime provinces, the program includes monthly in-person full-day training sessions, monthly coaching and study hall, self-directed learning in an online classroom and much more. Deadline: February 21.

Parrsboro Creative is working on some winter programming, which they hope will inspire the creative community. From February to May they will have a creative theme for each month. February will be Fibre Arts, March will be Photography and Writing, April will be Clay and Wood and May will be Painting. Each month will start with an exhibition in the Creative Works Gallery relating to the month’s theme. Artists from Cumberland County and the Parrsboro Shore are invited to show their work. There will be an opening event on the first Sunday of each month from 2 to 4pm and the gallery will be open from 10 to 12 during Art Café, and from 12 to 4pm Friday and Saturday, by volunteer assistance. If you would like to exhibit your work for any of these months, please contact the program committee, at creativeworksgallery@gmail.com An exhibition contract and exhibition instructions will be sent to you.

Cuts and Paste Gallery has moved to 5511 Cunard Street in Halifax! Hours have changed and so has the resource center. Wednesday to Friday, 5-8pm and Saturday 2-8pm. The resource center is now available for $10 per person, $15 if a coffee or beverage such as water is added and $20 for the addition of a snack. A soft opening is scheduled for January 18 from 2-8pm. Please join them in the new space, which now doubles as the home of Canadian collage! Events are back up and running and as always, the best place to find out about these events is their website, www.cutsandpastegallery.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Indigenous Arts: Resources for imagining, thinking, and working toward decolonization. Hill Strategies offers perspectives on Indigenous arts on the territory known as Canada, including information about Indigenous arts and ways of being that might be useful in imagining, thinking, and working toward decolonization. The summaries provide only very brief synopses of complex and insightful reports. Of note, some of the reports below tend to highlight the situation of contemporary Indigenous performing arts more than traditional performing arts, a distinction that is important in the Indigenous performing arts community. Looking at Indigenous Performing Arts on the Territory Known as Canada.

The Artwork Archive team has been on a mission to find the best art opportunities, grants, and calls-for-entry for the upcoming year. There are still many opportunities on the horizon for artists if you know where to look. That’s why they make it as easy as possible for artists to find the right opportunity for them—all in the same place and updated regularly throughout the year as new opportunities become available. There you will find a list of the top international open calls, residencies, fellowships, and awards that will benefit artists during the upcoming year! The complete list is broken down into six categories: grants, residencies & fellowships, calls-for-entry, and opportunity sites.

Read about some emerging ideas on Arts Governance. Mass Culture has released the Future of Arts Work Report, which focuses on Boards of Directors and their related governance models in Canadian not-for-profit sector arts organizations.

Hill Strategies has compiled some info on precarity in the arts. The Canadian arts sector has been one of the hardest hit industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is particularly troubling in a sector in which precarity was already widespread. The health and well-being of artists (financial, physical, mental) and the viability of many arts organizations are at risk. The precarious state of artists and arts workers is shown both by decreased employment levels and high stress levels. As noted in an analysis by CAPACOA, “one in four arts, entertainment and recreation workers lost their job in 2020, compared to 2019. That’s 114,400 artists, technicians, marketing staff, arts administrators and other cultural workers who could no longer earn a living out of their profession.” The 25% decrease in employment levels (including self-employment) was higher than any other industry in 2020. In comparison, the decrease was 23% in accommodation and food services. The National Arts and Culture Impact Survey, conducted in November of 2020, surveyed 1,273 artists and arts workers about a range of issues, including their perceptions of recent stress or burnout. Most respondents (62%) indicated that stress or burnout was an obstacle that they faced over the previous three months. Stress or burnout was even higher among artists and arts workers who are hard of hearing, D/deaf, and/or have a disability (65%), BIPOC artists and arts workers (68%), artists and arts workers who are primary caregivers of a child, a senior, or someone at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Read the Hill Strategies report  entitled Deaf and Disability Arts Practices in Canada: Summary. Based on interviews and focus group sessions with 85 artists and cultural workers, as well as a literature review, this report provides an overview of the artistic practices of “Deaf artists and artists with disabilities, … and related findings concerning accessibility, equity, self-determination, and support”. The report is intended to “foster the development of culturally equitable practices” in the arts sector, assist arts organizations in their development, and aid the practices of Deaf and disabled artists. The report, led by a team predominantly made up of Deaf and disabled people, uses “Deaf and disabled” to describe “people who are Deaf or disabled, have an impairment, are hard-of-hearing, are late-deafened, have Usher’s syndrome, are ‘mad’, are neurodiverse, are neuro-atypical, have a cognitive disability, have an intellectual disability, or live with a mental illness or mental health issues, etc.”

The Art Canada Institute’s latest book is Maud Lewis: Life & Work by Ray Cronin, the first and only online art book to celebrate one of Canada’s most beloved painters, a national icon who is credited with transforming the history of Nova Scotia Folk Art. Maud Lewis: Life & Work joins ACI’s Canadian Online Book Project. Like all 48 books published in the series, it is available free of charge, in both French and English. It makes Lewis’s art accessible to audiences around the world.

Are you pursuing or considering a career in the creative industry? Local retired artists/ entrepreneurs are available to offer free advice and knowledge exchange through the Mentoring Plus Strategy Program. Mentors can guide and positively influence your career path. You can learn valuable knowledge from a retired person’s expertise, wisdom, and past experiences. Local seasoned artists are paired with budding artists… painters, sculptors, musicians, writers, designers, actors. Let’s face it… artists almost never really ‘retire’! They remain passionate about what they do and they have the experience to share with you. They may share a cup of coffee with you to hear your wish list or participate in a group mentoring. Mentoring Plus is a partnership with the Town of New Glasgow & Dalhousie University – Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development.

The Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference / (ARCA), in partnership with the Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA), is proud to launch What Is an Artist-Run Centre?, a didactic video in seven parts created to assist managers in small, not-for-profit arts organizations as they seek new revenue streams from private and corporate sources. The video, written and directed by former ARCA director Anne Bertrand, aims to provide non-initiated publics, donors, sponsors, and students with an introduction to artist-run culture: its origins, purpose, operations, users, and services.

Maritime Art List has changed to Maritime Art Info. Artist Isobel Hamilton has created a fantastic new service and the site is ready to go! This website has been created to be a listings website for the Maritime provinces. If you’re interested in finding out about art events, gallery shows, classes and workshops, calls for artists and more check out their listings page. You can also subscribe to the daily email which will send you any new listings on the site. If you have any kind of art news, event, sale etc. they would love to have you share it on the site! Register as a member (it’s free) and you will be able to post your own listings. You can find it at www.maritimeartinfo.com. Special thanks to Janice Guinan who kept Maritime Art List full of all the latest art info since 2011!

The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery is putting together a database of artists from all backgrounds that work with glass, ceramics and/or clay for research purposes. All collected information will remain confidential. Interested artists are encouraged to visit the following link: https://forms.gle/cnxk3rob6yZp19uS8 or email Cheyenne Mapplebeck at cheyenne.mapplebeck@gmail.com with any questions.

NSCAD University announced the launch of the TD Financial Literacy Program for Creative Entrepreneurs. The program, funded through a donation of $150,000 from TD Bank Group, will be operated from the newly established Creative Entrepreneurship Lab (CEL) at NSCAD University. The TD Financial Literacy Program for Creative Entrepreneurs will be accessible to NSCAD students, alumni and other makers in the province. Local TD team members will be participating as mentors and in other roles within the Creative Entrepreneurship Lab. NSCAD will be receiving at total gift of $150,000 over three years from TD. This program will complement experiences NSCAD students can access through internships and practicum placements. It also dovetails with the new Anna Leonowens Certificate in Gallery and Studio Management that launched in February 2021 and the Creativity and Innovation Certificate that will be delivered in partnership with Dalhousie Executive Education this spring. The program aspires to build a more diverse and vibrant economy in Nova Scotia while contributing to the cultural fabric of our province. For more information visit https://nscad.ca/creative-entrepreneurship-lab/.

Futurpreneur has launched a new Black Entrepreneurship Startup Program, funded by RBC with additional loan financing provided by BDC. BESP provides: $5,000-$60,000 in startup loan financing, up to two years of 1-1 expert mentorship, access to resources including interactive Business Plan & Cash Flow Templates, networking opportunities, and the opportunity to apply for up to $40,000 in follow-on financing. In addition to meeting general eligibility requirements, participants must self-identify as Black, be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and be age 18-39. Sign up to get connected with a Futurpreneur Business Development Team Member.

Catch the creative news with @you.got.this.gigs on Instagram! A new page dedicated to connecting creatives to encouragement, opportunities, work and each other across Canada! With the growth of creative work online, they want to share the chances to connect and collaborate with businesses and creative freelancers across the country. We also want to encourage new creatives that they GOT THIS!; it’s hard to grow your talents without constantly being on the hunt for work. You are more artistic than you think, and we are here to be your weekly affirmation.

Artwork Archive makes it easy to not only track the expenses related to your art business like marketing expenses and studio rent but they also just added a feature to easily track the individual production costs of each artwork. This means that you can now get a closer look at understanding the true cost of each painting, sculpture or installation so that you know how much to price and what artworks are most profitable for your business.

If you haven’t read them yet, have a look at the CHRC’s two reports: Dealing with Harassment in Cultural Workplaces and Selecting and Teaching Immersive-Technology-for-Artistic-Applications. These reports deal respectively with the subjects of workplace misconduct and Augmented/Virtual Reality as an artistic medium.

VANS has a free and downloadable PODCAST RESOURCE GUIDE as a follow-up to the HEAR TELL PODCAST TRAINING PROGRAM. It contains all kinds of free and helpful information for artists, creatives and anyone interested in starting their own podcast project. Feel free to share this link with anyone who might be interested:
https://visualarts.ns.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Hear-Tell-Resource-Guide.pdf
What’s included in the HEAR TELL digital publication? Almost everything! See below for an overview:
Part 1: Podcast Production The Nuts and Bolts
Part 2: Podcast Publishing & Discoverability
Part 3: Podcast Marketing & Promotion
Part 4: Monetization & Other Ways to Fund Your Podcast
Part 5: Helpful Links & Resources for Arts Podcasting
You can download a copy and share this link on social media as we hope to share this resource guide as well.

The Cobequid Cultural Society in collaboration with the Cobequid Radio Society (CIOE 97.5 FM) is developing a database of artists of all forms. The Cobequid Cultural Society is a community-based, non-profit, registered charitable organization that acknowledges the importance of the arts. With their strong base of member organizations and volunteers, Cobequid Cultural Society along with the Radio Society will work to introduce hundreds of community members and visitors to the work of local and visiting artists, including visual artists, actors, writers, dancers, and musicians. As well as provide appearance and performance opportunities now and in the future when the Cobequid Cultural Centre of the Arts is launched. If you are interested in being apart of their community, please get in touch! Enter your information in this link.

Searching for a new residency? Maybe you are looking for more international opportunities? Artist Everest Pipkin has compiled a very useful Google doc, entitled The Big Artist Opportunities List, with tons of information on residencies, grants, and more. There is a focus on US opportunities, but there are enough options that you might find something new and unexpected that’s right for you. You can also submit new opportunities to be added.  Check it out here.

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 Hnatyshyn Foundation is pleased to launch the call for nominations for the 2025 William and Meredith Saunderson Prizes for Emerging Artists! The Saunderson Prizes consist of three awards of $10,000 dollars each for young emerging Canadian visual artists whose practices show potential and who are deemed to have the determination and talent to contribute to the legacy of art in Canada. Previous laureates include Séamus Gallagher (2024), Lan “Florence” Yee (2023), Esmaa Mohamoud (2018), Audie Murray (2018), Tau Lewis (2017), Bridget Moser (2015), and many other exceptional artists who have gone on to enjoy illustrious careers and continue to exhibit their work nationally and internationally. Representatives of public and private galleries, fine arts training institutions, and artist-run-centres, are invited to submit a nomination. An institution may only nominate one candidate per year. Candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada; Aged 35 years or less as of December 31 of the current year; and Emerging professional artists, which we define as having approximately 3 to 7 years of professional practice. Deadline: April 14.

The Nova Scotia Talent Trust Scholarship Program funds emerging artists. An emerging artist is one who is not yet established in their discipline and is enrolled in a private study program, mentorship, or at an institution. Their program is intended for applicants whose primary goal is to become an established artist. They are now accepting scholarship applications for Spring/Summer studies taking place from May 1 – August 31. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 and there is no age limit to apply. All emerging artists in any discipline including dance, film, theatre, literary arts, visual arts, circus arts, performing arts, design or music are eligible to apply. Deadline: March 1, 5pm AST.

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The intent of the Salt Spring National Art Prize is to encourage artists whose practice demonstrates originality, quality, integrity, and creativity. Applications for SSNAP are open now! Open to artists from across the country, SSNAP is your opportunity to showcase your creativity, connect with an inspiring community, and gain national recognition. SSNAP is open to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 18 and older. Offering $52,000 in awards, SSNAP is one of Canada’s largest celebrations of contemporary art. Deadline: May 31, 8pm PDT.

Applications to the Joseph Plaskett Postgraduate Award in Painting are now open. The Plaskett Award Recipient will receive $65,000 to live, create artwork and/or travel outside of Canada for one year. For some examples of projects and experiences from past Recipients of the Plaskett and Petry Awards, please refer to the Testimonials page on the Joe Plaskett Foundation website. In addition, the Plaskett Award Recipient will have their works showcased at the Joe Plaskett Foundation booth at Art Toronto (October 23 – 26, 2025), worth an additional value of approximately $10,000. To meet the criteria of eligibility for the Plaskett Award, the candidate has to be:a Canadian citizen; a visual artist in the field of painting; an MFA student; and willing to live, travel, and create artwork abroad for a minimum of one year. The Joe Plaskett Foundation is very flexible regarding when the stay abroad will take place. Recipients may choose to take a leave of absence from their university, or they may defer the award for a year. Deadline: May 4.

Hal-Con Sci-Fi and Fantasy Association and the Nova Scotia Talent Trust will be launching the Hal-Con Scholarship for Visual or Performing Arts in 2025. Hal-Con is dedicated to uniting members of the sci-fi & fantasy community by organizing Atlantic Canada’s largest annual convention, along with a variety of year-round events aimed at fostering connections and enhancing the community. The Hal-Con Scholarship, valued at $1,000, will be awarded annually to an emerging artist or student in the fields of creative arts or gaming development, with preference given to those demonstrating an interest in the Sci-Fi and Fantasy genres.  The scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving NSTT applicant selected by the independent Scholarship Selection Committee, which is made up of professional artists across multiple disciplines. The first Hal-Con Scholarship will be awarded in 2025, and applications will be open to all eligible NSTT applicants studying in relevant fields starting in January 2025.

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

Poppy Balser, a painter and judge at the Parsboro International Plein Air Festival, is giving a 3 day course in painting plein air with watercolour June 23 – 25  in Parrsboro. Painting outdoors in watercolour can be an extremely rewarding practice. It is also intensely frustrating at times. Poppy will share how she sets herself up to make the experience of painting outside as successful as possible. She’ll walk you through her process of choosing a scene and identifying the elements of the landscape she wants to include in her painting.  She will show how she simplifies the scene to make a convincing, compelling painting. In the case of truly inclement weather, class will be held indoors.  Students should come prepared for painting in chilly weather. Poppy will begin each session with a quick demonstration on location.  She will adapt her demonstration to the unique challenges presented by the day and the painting location. Students will then have the opportunity to work at their easels with Poppy circulating to offer problem-solving advice and encouragement. Join Poppy and eleven other artists keen to learn new skills and approaches in the quest to become better, more confidant plein air artists. The cost is $300.

Visual Arts Nova Scotia is pleased to announce a new workshop series –  Getting it Together: Taxes and Financial Literacy for CreativesThis new three-part workshop series is designed to help artists get more comfortable, organized and empowered when it comes to their finances and taxes. Led by Sally Wolchyn-Raab, Co-Director of Eyelevel Artist-run Centre, Getting it Together has two online workshops jam-packed with great info and a final do-our-taxes-together in-person workshop. Workshop #1 is Tax basics for artists, Workshop #2 is Financial management for creative freelancers, and the in-person Workshop #3 is a Tax filing prep group! The workshops in this series are only $40 each for VANS members ($50 for non-members) or you can bundle all three for just $100 ($130 for Non-members). For more info and to register, visit the Workshops page of the VANS website: visualarts.ns.ca/program/workshops-webinars/.

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Register for Intellectual Property and artificial intelligence: What artists need to know, an information session from l’AAAPNB with presenters André Gallant and Christian Clavette. Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to learn about artificial intelligence and copyright. This is your chance to ask experts your questions. The webinar is offered in French and in English, so sign up for the one that works for you – Thursday February 20, 10 am AST (9 am EST) – English / Wednesday February 19, 10 am AST (9 am EST) – French.

The Federation Retreat is the largest educational and social event of the year, hosted by the Federation of Canadian Artists. The 2025 Summer Retreat will take place June 22 – 27 in beautiful Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Based at Acadia University, you’ll experience some of the most breathtaking plein air painting locations the east coast have to offer. In the company of their Master Instructors you’ll spend your days creating, painting and developing your skills, while painting en plein air. In the evenings, you’ll have the opportunity to join your peers for a variety of fun social events or take the time to relax and explore your surroundings. ​The retreat is $2,900 and includes 4 days of instruction with the chance to paint with each Master Instructor, all evening social activities,3 meals and all snacks daily – for the duration of your stay, 5 nights accommodation, and 1 goodie bag per artist registrant. ​A 50% deposit of $1,450 is due at time of registration with the balance due by March 16th, 2025.

AFCOOP’s FILM 5 Trainee Program is a hands-on training program for aspiring technical crew. Paralleling the Creative Team component, the trainee program provides participants with high-quality classroom training, practical on-set instruction and networking opportunities. To become a trainee crew member, you must take the required workshops for your desired position, pay the application fee (which includes the mandatory Set Etiquette Course), come to the Trainee/Team Meet and Greet and submit a resume, cover letter and application form. On the FILM 5 sets, trainees work under key crew-members from the local film industry. Keys are industry professionals responsible for running their departments, and for providing guidance and leadership to the trainees. Trainees leave the production having networked with industry crew, with practical experience and resume references. This year, each FILM 5 production is required to have a minimum of seven trainees on set. FILM 5 productions will take place from approximately late March to late April.

Sign up for one of the Adult Weekend Retreats at Ross Creek Centre for the Arts in Canning. Break away from your day-to-day for a weekend intensive in a beautiful rural setting. Add a new medium to your creative toolkit or fine-tune your skills under the mentorship of one of our extraordinary artist faculty members. These unique programs offer time and space to retreat, reconnect, and re-energise, all while you develop hands-on artistic abilities. You can choose to stay for the entire weekend in comfortable overnight accommodations with all fantastic fresh meals included. There is also an option to only attend the daytime workshop sessions with the group. They will provide all materials. Upcoming workshops include Directing: A Creative Collaboration with Ken Schwartz (February 21 – 23), and Visual Creativity with Luke Fair (February 28 – March 2).

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!

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 

Chester Art Centre is in search of an enthusiastic Art Centre Coordinator to lead their programs, exhibitions, and events! If you love the arts and community engagement, this is your chance to shine. Chester Art Centre is dedicated to fostering artistic excellence and enriching cultural experiences in their community. The Centre serves as a platform for both emerging and established artists to showcase their work and inspire creativity through diverse exhibitions, workshops, and events.The position is full-time (40 hours/week) and they are looking for a someone with strong leadership and organizational skills; experience in arts management, fundraising, and marketing; proficiency in office management and social media; flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed; and a passion for fostering community engagement through the arts. Note: no salary has been posted for this job so contact gordon@chesterartcentre.ca for the salary range. Deadline: February 21.

The Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick (AAAPNB) is hiring a Communications Assistant. AAAPNB is an arts service organization that brings together professional artists. Its mission is to promote and defend the rights and interests of artists and to have their contribution to the development of society recognized. Under the authority of the AAAPNB General Management and the supervision of the Communications Manager and the Executive Director, the Communications Assistant will be responsible for organizing and executing communications for the Association and its projects, both for members and partners, the media and the public. The position is full-time for 52 weeks, starting at the end of March/beginning of April 2025. Location: Moncton, NB, and occasional travel within the province. Salary scale: $46,000 per year at 35 hours/week, depending on the combination of training and experience. Benefits and perks: Individual or family drug and dental insurance plan, six weeks of paid vacation (including two during the holiday season and 4 more that can be combined). Deadline: March 2.

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Are you an artisan with a Victorian-based practice? Sherbrooke Village, Nova Scotia’s largest living history museum, is seeking people that have a passion for sharing their skills and knowledge to help keep heritage arts and traditional trades alive through practice, demonstrations and teaching. They value authenticity and historical accuracy with particular interest in Mi’kmaw and rare Maritime crafts.  As a 19th century settlement, Sherbrooke Village includes historic spaces for blacksmithing, woodworking, weaving, pottery, letterpress, costume design and heritage building trades. The museum site contains other spaces that can be adapted for other types of trade and craft practices. If you haven’t demonstrated or shared your skills before, their team can support you to develop or expand your skill set to include teaching, communication and engagement skills. No enquiry is too small, whether it be about the types of opportunities and working relationships they seek to develop, the equipment they have for use, about what it takes to become a heritage artisan. Many of their advertised positions are full-Time, seasonal and pay $21.01 per hour at 35 hrs per week, plus 4% vacation pay and 2% in lieu of benefits.

The Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts is searching for a visionary and ambitious Executive Director. Located in Halifax, NS, the Conservatory has inspired generations of students for over 130 years. This full-time leadership role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the Conservatory’s vision while honoring its rich history. As Executive Director, you will: lead a talented team of faculty and staff; spearhead initiatives to foster diversity, inclusion, and community engagement; oversee fundraising and manage resources for growth and building preservation; collaborate with arts organizations and expand their impact in Atlantic Canada. You should have a Degree in arts, business, or management (or equivalent experience); proven leadership in arts, education, or non-profits (5+ years); expertise in fundraising, project management, and community building; and a passion for the performing arts. The salary is $80,000–$90,000.

The Dr Kingston Memorial Community Health Centre calls for workshop instructors. They are a community hub in L’Ardoise, Nova Scotia focused on improving  the health of our community in all aspects. In addition to their medical clinic, we also host programming to foster mental, social, and community health. They are seeking workshops to take place in April or May. Our theme is waste reduction! The more we take care of our belongings, the less we throw away! If you know how to repair, maintain, or improve everyday items, they welcome your proposal. How to apply: Contact Josie Robinson (PR manager) with a brief description of your workshop, and your venue needs.  Contact details: cepr.dkmchc@gmail.com or (902) 587-2800 Deadline: February 28.

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

Voices from Down Home: Dialogues on Community Connections in Black Canadian Art is on February 27 at 6 – 8pm. You can attend at in-person at Paul O’Regan Hall at the Halifax Central Library in Halifax or attend the livestream event upstairs at ARTSPLACE, 396 St. George St, in Annapolis Royal. This thought-provoking panel discussion features artists from Down Home, an exhibition at the Dalhousie Art Gallery curated by Fabiyino Germain-Bajowa. Through their unique works, these artists share layered stories that illuminate the strength and vibrancy of African Nova Scotian and Black Canadian life and identity. Drawing on their distinct cultural backgrounds and personal experiences, the artists will engage in a conversation exploring themes of diverse representation and cultural continuity through art and creative expression. Presenters include artists Chantal Gibson, Kayza DeGraff-Ford, Rebecca Fisk, Preston Pavlis, and Vanessa Thomas. Free admission – Donations welcome. ASL interpretation will be provided. Register to attend in Halifax, RSVP to attend the livestream in Annapolis Royal.

The 2025 Disability Atlantic Arts Symposium will bring together disability-identified artists and arts workers from across Atlantic Canada for a three-day event from March 21st to 23rd, 2025. DAAS includes The JRG Cabaret which will feature artists of various disciplines showcasing their work. The host venue will once again be The Bus Stop Theatre Co-op in Kjipuktuk (Halifax, NS). DAAS aims to provide accessible and equitable professional development opportunities to artists with disabilities.

The 9th edition of the Halifax Black Film Festival will be held from February 27 to March 4, 2025. Presented by TD in collaboration with Global News, the Halifax Black Film Festival (HBFF) celebrates African Heritage Month. This Festival is dedicated to giving unique voices in cinema the opportunity to present audiences with new ways of looking at the world. HBFF is a dynamic, refreshing and audacious Festival whose ambition is to encourage the development of the independent film industry and to promote more films on the reality of Black people from around the globe. The Halifax Black Film Festival is glad to celebrate diversity within the black communities through films that matter. Films illuminate, entertain and invite audiences to see the world from another person’s experience. When connecting black films with viewers all colours and ethnic origins we recognize the differences that make us unique and celebrate the shared values that bring us together. Coming together through art allows members of all cultural communities to better understand one another. Check out their lineup and get your pass today!

You’re invited to the exhibition opening party of OH BABY, featuring brand new work by Séamus Gallagher. If you can make it, please RSVP to agns.ca/rsvp. They really look forward to celebrating this work with you! The exhibition opens February 21, 6 -9pm at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax.

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The opening of the Flax Ecologies, an exhibition featuring artwork by 15 artists working to transform fibre flax into new materials and craft objects, is at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design in Sydney on January 31, 4 – 6 pm. The exhibition is in partnership with the Flaxmobile Project and NSCAD University. The artists featured are Andreea Murgu, Anita Cazzola, Frances Dorsey, Gabriel Soligo, Heidi Friesen, Juliana Naccarato, Kamila Orbegoso and Caora Mckenna, Katelan Lahey, Kit Holden-Ada, Kristi Farrier, Larissa Korol, Laura Hambleton, Tamara Winsor, Wiebke Schroeder, and Samantha Read. Flax Ecologies delves into the intricate relationships between plants, land, and human communities, underscoring the vital role of ecology in fostering sustainable futures. It runs from January 27 – March 22.

MSVU Art Gallery, in collaboration with the Owens Art Gallery, is pleased to present Dawn MacNutt: Timeless Forms, a comprehensive retrospective exhibition celebrating Nova Scotia artist Dawn MacNutt, opening on January 18th, at 1 pm. This exhibition will showcase MacNutt’s unique approach to weaving, which she transforms into large-scale figurative sculptures that explore themes of human fragility. Accompanying the exhibition is a catalogue featuring essays by the artist herself. Join them in honouring an artist whose work profoundly reflects the complexities of the human experience. The exhibition, curated by Melanie Colosimo and Emily Falvey, is on at MSVU Art Gallery in Halifax January 18 – April 12, 2025.

Saturday, February 8, from 1–4 pm Creative Pictou County presents Art Forward 2025, as they celebrate an exciting new chapter. The new studio space, located in the deCoste Culture Hub (99 Water Street), will offer the community a unique opportunity to explore inspiring art practices led by local artists. It will also provide artists with a creative space to develop new works. At this event, Creative Pictou County will also be launching their Vision 2025 fundraising campaign, inviting the community to support the growth of arts and culture in Pictou County. Schedule of events: 1:30-2:00pm – Remarks,  2:15pm-3pm – Anne Caissie – Weaving demo, 3:15pm-4pm – Elisa Rutledge – Painting demo.

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.

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Residencies

Call for Applications: Kluane National Park Artist Residency. The Kluane National Park Artist Residency provides an opportunity for established visual artists to pursue work that brings together science and art through connection with the spectacular landscape of Kluane National Park and Reserve in the southwest Yukon. With the support of the Yukon Arts Centre, Parks Canada and the Arctic Institute of North America’s (AINA) Kluane Lake Research Station (KLRS), artists are given valuable time to retreat, reflect, and focus on their work with access to researchers and scientists. The residency is the perfect setting to explore the interplay between science, conservation, and art, and give artists a chance to share and connect with people from all over the world. This residency is open to Canadian applicants. Two artists, one Northern Artist and one Artist from Canada, will be selected for 2026. There are two separate 2-week residencies between late June to August of 2026. A $3000 CAD honorarium from the Yukon Arts Centre, accommodations and meals for two weeks in a cabin at the Kluane Lake Research Station will be provided. Artists are responsible for their own transportation to and from the residency. A vehicle is strongly recommended during the residency. Deadline: March 14, 5pm Yukon Time.

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The Lunenburg School of the Arts Artist-in-Residence program provides a space for emerging artists, including recent graduates, to enable them to develop and enhance their practice in their chosen medium. The program will host two artists each year (one in each of two terms) and each term will be followed by an artist talk & exhibition of completed works. The Fall Term is September 3 – November 26, 2025 (12 weeks) and the application deadline is March 31, 2025. The Winter Term is February 4 – May 27, 2026 (16 weeks) and the application deadline is August 29. The Artist-in-Residence will have 24-hour access to an independent studio space at the Lunenburg School of the Arts located in the heart of Lunenburg and will receive a stipend of $500 (CDN) per month and is responsible for their own material costs and sourcing. This program is a studio only residency; the Artist-in-Residence is responsible for their own living and travel arrangements and expenses. A public exhibition of the work completed here by the Artist-in-Residence will be held at the end of the term at the School, together with a reception hosted by the School. Next deadline: March 31.

Harbourfront Centre in Toronto has opened their 2025 residency applications. Their Craft and Design Studio is the only career-oriented program and facility available in Canada offering an artist-in-residency in contemporary craft and design. Functioning as a training centre and incubator the Studio relies on a self-directed learning ethos, all with the goal of championing emerging Canadian artists.The Studio is open to post-graduates (or individuals with equivalency training) who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of either Textiles, Glass, Ceramics, or Metal/Jewellery. Offering a creative community, professional development, mentorship and more, our goal is to empower the next generation of talent in craft and design. You can apply for Full-Time Residency or Summer Residency. Deadline: March 14, 5pm EST.

The Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society has partnered with the Icelandic National League of North America (INLNA) to launch a new artist residency award in the name of Stephansson, an esteemed Icelandic poet. Supported by the INLNA, six weeks of time in the Buttermaker’s House Artist Residency will be made available for 1-3 eligible artists. Artists with Icelandic heritage or artists of any heritage working on projects relating to Iceland may apply. Emerging and established artists are encouraged to apply. The Buttermaker’s House is a fully restored historic farm house in Markerville, Alberta originally built in 1913 including bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and work space. Deadline: March 1.

Stay, create, and inspire: Immerse yourself in the artistic legacy of the Caetani Centre in Vernon, BC. Whether you’re an emerging talent or an established artist, the Caetani Centre invites you to retreat to this serene yet vibrant environment—where art, history and community converge. On a 1.3-acre property that blends seclusion with access to all the amenities you need, you’ll find yourself surrounded by natural beauty and creative energy. The Centre fosters a collaborative atmosphere, with other resident artists, visiting creatives, and studio artists to connect with and learn from. Caetani Centre provides flexible residency options tailored to your creative needs, ranging from 3-day intensive bursts to immersive 3-month experiences. Longer stays may be available by negotiation, space permitting. Open to artists of all disciplines—from visual artists, writers, and musicians to curators, cultural researchers, and digital or performing artists—the Caetani Centre welcomes applications from both Canadian and international artists eager to explore, experiment, and grow. Application Deadline: Ongoing, based on availability.

Thirdspace: Emerging Artist Summer Intensive Program, a new residency opportunity at OCAD University calls for applications. OCAD University in Toronto is now accepting applicants for a new summer artist residency running in June 2025. Guided by an established Toronto-based, internationally recognized artist-in-residence, this program will bring together a dynamic group of interdisciplinary emerging artists, including those in the early stages of their careers and those embarking on new directions in their creative practices. Throughout the program, participants will have the opportunity to deepen and expand their work within a thematic framework. This immersive program includes a month of open studio access, mentorship from an established artist, use of OCAD U’s specialized facilities, and a final group exhibition showcasing the innovative work developed throughout the program. This intensive program (June 2 – June 27, 2025) is open to visual artists and designers who are in the final stages of formal post-secondary education or training, or who have gained equivalent experience through independent practice, cultural or traditional knowledge, and have received recognition from their peers. Including: current undergraduate or graduate students, recent graduates, practicing artists in the early stages of their career, and practicing artists exploring new directions in their practices. The cost is CAD $4,600.00 + applicable taxes ($7,450 + applicable taxes with accommodation). Transportation and meals are not included. Early Bird Deadline: February 14 (save $200). Final Application Deadline: May 13.

The Banff Centre in Alberta is offering a Comics and Graphic Novels residency. This is a two-week, self-directed residency that considers how creatives use this unique media as a place for personal narrative, memoir, and exploration. The residency provides writers with the time and space to delve deep into their creative project away from the constraints of everyday life, take advantage of an artistic community of peers, and consult with experienced faculty. Residency faculty and guests specializing in comics, illustration, publishing, and writing include Matt Madden, Bishakh Som, Tom Hart, and professional guest Michel Vrana (Black Eye Books). Participants can take part in individual mentoring sessions with faculty as well as group sessions to discuss their work and project. All participants will have individual accommodation and a small private studio where they can focus, reconnect, and re-energize their writing practice. The program is designed to cater to experienced writers, graphic novelists/cartoonists, writer/illustrators, or writer and illustrator pairings looking to explore the future of visual and literary techniques and focus on works in progress. Program Dates: October 6 – 17, 2025. Deadline: May 21.

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. Residency fees for the Winter session start at $550.

Are you interested in relocating to Cape Breton-Unama’ki to start or grow your contemporary craft business? The Customs House Artisan Incubator might be the opportunity you’re looking for.  In partnership, the Centre and the Town of Port Hawkesbury offer long-term 24hr access studio rentals (1 year minimum) that cushion participants from the risks of starting a craft business as a part of a thriving creative community. Fully equipped studios (textiles, ceramics, metals/jewellery & undetermined), combined with business and technique guidance, mentorship, sales, and marketing opportunities can help support your dream from the start-up stage all the way to a full-time craft business reality. The program is specifically designed to help you develop your practice into a sustainable business. Deadline: Open until full.

The Parcelles Studio Residency in Seaforth, NS provides a week far from urban noises and daily routines, where you can rest and focus on your creative projects. Artists from all genders, ages, disciplines and experiences are welcome. Their main goal is to offer a space  —  an entire habitat for yourself — where you can rest and allow your creativity to bloom during your self-directed residency. Located a few meters from a secluded beach, between lake and ocean, the cabin used to be a fishing shack that they have renovated into a cozy semi-off-grid house. Pick one week from May to June and November to December for $850/7 nights. This is an exclusive opportunity for a single artist, based on their intention of making creative retreats accessible. Additional guest + $350. There is no deadline to apply.

The Hammer and Sky Artist Residency on Brier Island, NS was founded in 2020 by Jane Zdansky and John Schwinghamer. The two week residencies are open 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 are set on 6 acres of pastoral land that include a restored heritage church with a common studio, space for workshops and exhibitions. The church also has a large vintage printing press that is accessible to experienced printmakers. The residency is available in two week intervals so be applying, contact them for availability. Residencies start on Sunday afternoon and finish 2 weeks later on Saturday morning and the cost is $500 per week (companions are $250 per week – without studio access / $375 per week with studio access), two week minimum stay. Discounted rates are available in the off season depending on length of stay. See their website for application details.

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

The Craig Gallery at Alderney Landing in Dartmouth is announcing a call for submissions for the 2026 exhibition season in the Main Gallery. Emerging and established artists from all disciplines are encouraged to apply for one of six month-long exhibition slots available in the upcoming year.  This opportunity marks a shift from The Craig Gallery’s previous rolling deadline format to a designated annual submission deadline. The Craig seeks to present and facilitate the widest possible range of art practices and to reflect excellence and cultural diversity through all aspects of its programs. The gallery operates on a commission based model instead of paying artist fees. This means that the gallery works hard to promote the exhibitions and sell works. The gallery takes a 35% commission fee on works sold. In addition to hosting curated exhibitions, the gallery collaborates with local artists and organizations to provide educational programming, workshops, and community events that celebrate artistic expression and cultural exchange. The gallery is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive space for all. Deadline: March 15.

SNAP Gallery is a non-profit Artist-run centre for printmaking located in amiskwacîwâskahikan, in Treaty Six Territory (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). SNAP is seeking proposals from Artists, Curators, and Collectives for gallery exhibitions during the 2026/27 exhibition seasons. Local, national, and international Artists at all stages of their career are encouraged to apply.  SNAP programs public exhibition spaces comprising 1,070 square feet with street facing exhibition windows and a total linear running wall space of over 150ft. SNAP’s mandate is to support artistic practice in printmaking specifically, encouraging all contemporary and traditional approaches to the medium. Experimental approaches and those that challenge our expectations of the medium are welcomed and can include video, performance, animation, installation, sound, multiples for distribution, etc. SNAP is dedicated to supporting Indigenous and Black Artists, Artists of Colour, as well as Disabled and 2SLGBTQIA+ Artists. Discussion, resource sharing, and a shared awareness regarding systemic and organizational barriers to full and equal participation in arts and culture is an active and ongoing part of the review and selection process. Deadline: February 28. 

This Town Is Small (TTIS) in Charlottetown, PEI is looking for visual and interdisciplinary artists, groups, and curators from Atlantic Canada who are interested in contributing to their programming for the 2025-2026 season. Submitting a profile to TTIS is a way to introduce your artistic and/or curatorial practice, share ideas you want to explore, and highlight the unique perspectives you bring to your work. They will collaborate directly with selected artists and curators to realize their projects, provide support for creative development, and identify opportunities for artistic growth and meaningful engagement.  TTIS welcomes submissions of artist profiles from artists of all disciplines and at all stages of artistic development from emerging to established. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year for programming including exhibitions, events, workshops, development opportunities, and more. The committee will prioritize artistic merit, alignment with TTIS’s mission and values, and project impact (their potential to enrich both the artist’s practice and the local community). For the 2025-26 season, they plan to program two solo or small group (2–4 artists) exhibitions, two group exhibitions, projects in rural spaces, and up to five workshops in addition to special projects, performances, parties, and more. This Town Is Small pays fees that follow CARFAC’s current fee schedule under Category 1. Rolling deadline. 

Previously posted:

The Berwick Mural Society is has put out a call for proposals. This project is an opportunity for artists to follow their individual inspiration and showcase their most personal work. Whatever direction you wish to go — bold, beautiful, profound, thought-provoking — this is your chance to enjoy complete freedom of subject and style. The site is an expansive wall allowing large-scale work with great visibility on Berwick’s main commercial street. The Budget is $14,000 inclusive of HST and the location is 182 Commercial St, Berwick NS (south wall of Bargain Harley’s facing the Irving gas station). It is a two-storey, white metal exterior wall measuring approx. 17′ x 25′. Your design should incorporate as much of this wall as possible. Deadline: March 31.

Saltscapes Spring Expo exhibitor registration is open. Saltscapes events allow consumers to step into the pages of Saltscapes magazine and deliver a unique East Coast experience with interactive demonstrations, food & beverage sampling, local musical and cultural entertainment, and much more. Generating new business opportunities and making cash registers ring for retail, culinary and travel exhibitors while bringing economic benefits to our region is our highest priority. Book now to reserve your booth space for May 2025. For more information, please contact lsampson@saltscapes.com, 902 464 7258 ext 1803 or visit their website at www.saltscapesexpo.com.

Nocturne is currently seeking artists to participate in 2025 programming through the development of temporary public artworks that will be exhibited during their signature night-time art experience taking place on Saturday, October 18, from 6PM – Midnight. Nocturne’s 2025 Festival Curator, Marite Kuus selected the theme Ground. Artists are invited to explore physical, social, cultural and political aspects of the ground beneath us. Gardeners, mycologists, walkers, archeologists and geologists, roadworkers, settlers; we all have a different relationship with this space which we interact with daily, and encourage applicants to consider the multitude of possible meanings of this theme. Deadline: April 7, 11:59 PM (AST).

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.

The Bus Stop Theatre Coop in Halifax calls for submissions from visual artists. This application is open to visual artists of all levels. Priority will be given to applicants who are BIPOC, from the disability community, and BSTC members. They invite you to self identity if you feel comfortable doing so. They have 2 slots available for 2025: January 4 – March 31, and June 23 – September 23. Upon completing your application, please email or share with lara@busstoptheatre.coop a portfolio of your work (minimum 5 images). Please include if the images are of past work, or are what you plan to display in the gallery. Applications without images will not be considered. Please contact us if this is an issue. Deadlines for applications are as follows: January 2: Deadline for Jan-Mar slot, April 30: Deadline for Jun-Sep slot.

Calling all artists, collectors and art enthusiasts. Join us in June for the wonderful experience that is the 9th Annual Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival (PIPAF). Where coastlines, waterfalls, fishing boats, historic buildings, old things and big skies abound. Register now. Deadline: March 1.

Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF), Canada’s leading contemporary outdoor & online art fair, calls for submissions. Their Call For Artists opened on December 1 for the 64th Annual Art Fair in July 2025, which will take place both in-person and online.  Many artists have considered TOAF a jumping-off point for their careers, and an invaluable experience for marketing, selling and sharing their work with the public. TOAF is Canada’s best-attended art fair, with a diverse community of 170,000+ art lovers who come back year-after-year to discover high-quality art and connect directly with artists. Our visitors spend over 2 million dollars on art during the in-person Fair, and our online Fair has quickly become an international digital hub for discovering TOAF’s artists. Within 4 years of its launch, there is an established network of visitors and collectors from Canada and beyond who have purchased over 2,000 artworks online.  Artists can choose how to participate: In-person Fair at Nathan Phillips Square + Online Fair, or exclusively online at TOAF.ca. Through their newly implemented Travel Bursary Program, out of province artists are eligible to apply for a Travel Award of up to $1,500 to support the costs associated with participating at the in-person Fair at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. Deadline: March 7, 2025.

The Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival is accepting submissions. They are committed to showcasing bold, boundary-pushing independent cinema. They look for films from new and unique voices that experiment with genre, structure or form. Since its inception, HIFF has showcased the Atlantic region’s most innovative works alongside the films of acclaimed visiting artists. Selected films will screen at the 19th annual Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival, taking place May 28–31, 2025, at the Bus Stop Theatre. Send your latest work in the following categories: Atlantic Canadian Shorts, Canadian Shorts, and Canadian Features. Deadlines: January 10 (Early-bird Deadline), February 14 (Regular Deadline) and March 14 (Late Deadline). 

Printed Matter is actively soliciting artists’ books, zines, and print ephemera that engage with ideas of decolonization, resistance, and interconnected solidarity around the world. Accepted submissions will be distributed online and in-store. This is an open, rolling call. Like their general submission policy, there is no deadline for submissionsBrowse their table, Decolonization, Resistance & Solidarity to view a selection of titles that speak to these themes. Learn more about our submission guidelines and how to submit here. https://www.printedmatter.org/opencall. Questions can be directed to info@printedmatter.org.

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 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: Annual Acadia Art Exhibition, February 12 – April 3.

ANNA LEONOWENS GALLERY (NSCAD), HALIFAX: Gallery 1: A Wish For What We’ve Lost, E M Archbold; Gallery 2A: Growth and Grace, Goldwyn Vinella and Marit Kershaw; Gallery 2B: Night Sweats, Deirdre Sokolowska; Gallery 3: NEVER AGAIN BUT KNOWING ME AGAIN AND AGAIN FOREVER ALWAYS, Jack Kelly, February 18 – 22. Gallery 1: Scary Yarn, Liam MacAloney; Gallery 2: Net Works, Katherine Rae Diemert; Gallery 3: To be a flamingo, Arjun Lal, February 25 – March 8.

ARGYLE FINE ART, HALIFAX: PRE-SHRUNK, until February 25.

ART GALLERY OF NOVA SCOTIA, HALIFAX: 2023 Nova Scotia Art Bank Purchases Exhibition, ongoing. Léopold L. Foulem: Reshaping Function, ongoing. Maud Lewis, ongoing. Three Dimensions, Jennifer Marman & Daniel Borins, until January 26, 2025. Nova Scotia Spotlight: Alex Livingston, until November 9, 2025. Touched by the Tears of A Butterfly, Mike MacDonald, until March 30, 2025. OH BABY, Séamus Gallagher, opens February 21, 6 – 9pm.

ARTSPLACE, ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, Main Gallery: Fishers, Curtis Botham, February 15 – March 29. Chapel Gallery: Karst Landscape: A Journey Through Home, Lufei Pan, February 15 – March 29. Library Gallery: Alternatives, Karen Phillips-Curran, February 15 – 22. Mym Gallery: Small is Beautiful, Ted Lind, February 15 – March 29.

CAPE BRETON CENTRE FOR CRAFT & DESIGN, SYDNEY: Flax Ecologies, group exhibition with the Flaxmobile Project, January 27 – March 22.

CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY, SYDNEY: Kina’masultinej, Dannerri Anne Marie Gould, Rosalee Doucette-MacNeil, Jocelyn Marshall and Neve Stevens, until February 21.

CENTRE FOR ART TAPES, HALIFAX: Virtual Shiva, Kahani Ploessl, February 3 – 21.

CHESTER ART CENTRE, CHESTER: LOVE BOAT, Amanda Rhodenizer, March 8 – 30. Opening reception: March 30, 5 – 7pm.

THE CRAIG GALLERY, DARTMOUTH: In This Economy, Luke Fair and Takashi Hilferink, January 28 – February 23. Main Gallery: Exploring Fractals in Maritime Art, Gillian Lazanik. Case Gallery: Empty Bowls — Sacred Spaces, Lynn Reierson, LiLynn Wan, Lynn Rotin’s group show, February 25 – March 30.

CREATIVE WORKS GALLERY, PARRSBORO: Fibre Arts Exhibition, Karen Alger, Morgan Leigh Callison, Linda DeVries, Janet Doble, Laura McKenize, and Isidora Speilman, until February 28.

DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY, HALIFAX: Down Home: Portraits of Resilience, Curated by Fabiyino Germain-Bajowa; Oluseye: by Faith and Grit, Curated by Pamela Edmonds, February 6 –  April 27.

DECOSTE CULTURE HUB GALLERY, PICTIOU: Ebb and Flow, February 3 – March 15.

HERMES, HALIFAX: Scrim(s), Angela Henderson & Robert Bean, February 16 – March 16. Artist’s Presentation: March 1, 1pm.

KATZMAN ART PROJECTS, HALIFAX: Shimmering// A Collaboration With IOTA Studios, Amy Malbeuf, Carrie Allison, Jerry Evans, Jordan Bennett, José Andrés Mora, Ruth Marsh, and Séamus Gallagher, February 14 – March 8.

MSVU ART GALLERY, HALIFAX: Timeless Forms, Dawn MacNutt, January 18 – April 12. Artist Talk: March 8, 1pm.

GALERIE PÈRE-LÉGER-COMEAU, POINTE-DE-L’ÉGLISE:  Et maintenant, quelque chose d’absolument différent, Conseil des arts de la Baie members, January 18 – February 27.

ROSS CREEK CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, CANNING: it is as if, Andrew Maize, until April 13. Performance w/ Andrew MacKelvie and Creative Music Workshop: February 23, 1 – 4pm.

ST FX UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY, ANTIGONISHof a feather (in memory of Gay Hansen),Thaddeus Holownia and Karen Stentaford, Curated by Emily Falvey, February 6 – March 29.

SMU ART GALLERY, HALIFAX: BACKBEAT, co-curated by Pam Corell and Adam Myatt, January 27 – March 16.

THE SUNROOM (HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY), HALIFAX: Faces of the Diaspora, Daramfon Morgan, January 12  – February 22.

TIDES CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY, KENTVILLE: Ruth Curry, opened February 7.

TREATY SPACE GALLERY (NSCAD), HALIFAXMetu’na’q: Costumes for a Storm, Xavier Taylor, April Maloney, Ida Simon, Vera Marr, Emerald Paul, Richard Taylor and Leesa Hamilton, February 18 – 21. Project of Heart, Jude Gerrard, February 25 – March 7.

VIEWPOINT GALLERY, BEDFORDNova Scotia Photographers’ Exhibition; Fresh Eyes Guest Artist – Sandy Macintosh, February 6 – March 2.

 

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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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