VANS offers professional development workshops related to your career as an artist. Workshops in this series will be offered either in person or online over Zoom so please note the format in the workshop description. Registered participants for online workshops will get a limited-time link to a recording of the session afterward (in case of any internet interruptions). Can’t make it to the online workshop? That’s no problem. You can register and then watch the link to the recorded workshop at your convenience and you’ll still receive all the resources.

Each online workshop will be two hours total (including a Q & A portion) and cost $40 for VANS members and $50 for non-members. Each in person workshop will be three hours total (including a Q & A portion) and cost $50 for VANS members and $60 for non-members. You can bundle three workshops together using the discount code 3 Workshop Bundle at the checkout and save. Click on the square tiles below to select your workshops and pay online.

FALL 2024 WORKSHOPS

EXHIBITION PREP & INSTALLATION

This workshop focuses on the preparation that artists need to do before their exhibition, including handling, packing, and shipping, and covers some of the more practical aspects of installation. It will include discussions on appropriate hanging/installation hardware, framing options, lighting considerations, safety, troubleshooting and the artist’s responsibility. Artists anticipating exhibiting their work will learn technical skills and tricks of the trade in this behind-the-scenes view of gallery installation from a professional gallery technician.

Instructor: David Dahms, MSVU Art Gallery Technician

ONLINE
Thursday, October 10, 7 – 9pm 
Registration Deadline: October 10

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DIY WEBSITE FOR ARTISTS   

To establish yourself as a professional artist, you need a website. But how to do it on a small budget? The answer: Do it yourself. In this online workshop, you will learn about tricks to develop professional virtual content and some of the most user-friendly options available online to develop your website such as WordPress, Wix, Cargo and Squarespace.

Instructor: Marie-Soleil Provençal, Artist, Designer, and Educator

ONLINE
Thursday, October 24, 7 – 9 pm AT
Registration Deadline: Extended to October 23

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NETWORKING AND TALKING ABOUT YOUR WORK 

When asked what you make, do you get tongue tied and nervous? Maybe you try to avoid talking about your work altogether. Do you hesitate when contacting a gallery about an exhibition, or fear approaching a gallerist about representing your work? In this workshop you’ll learn how to discuss your work with confidence and how to use these skills to create your own opportunities. A professional artist is recognized by their peers; learn how to build your networks and gain recognition for your work in the broader arts community.

Instructor: Christopher Webb, Artist, Curator and Director of Pavia Gallery

IN PERSON
HALIFAX: Saturday, November 23, 1 – 4pm
Visual Arts Nova Scotia, 1113 Marginal Road
Registration Deadline: November 21

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GRANT WRITING    

This workshop focuses on writing a convincing project description for Arts Nova Scotia and Canada Council creation grants as well as other applications. The instructor will discuss how to position yourself and your practice in a way that supports your proposal and what jury members look for when reviewing submissions, as well as navigating the Canada Council portal. The workshop will not cover aspects such as CVs or artist statements, and does not guarantee success, but aims to improve grant and proposal writing skills.

Instructor: Becka Barker, Artist, Educator and Grant Writing Consultant

IN PERSON
LUNENBURG: Sunday, October 27, 1 – 4pm     SOLD OUT!
Lunenburg School of the Arts, 6 Prince St
Registration Deadline: October 21

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HOW TO CREATE IMPACTFUL DESIGNS WITH CANVA

In this beginner-friendly Canva workshop for artists, participants will learn the basics of creating professional-looking designs, even with no prior experience. We’ll start with a simple introduction to Canva’s interface and tools, then cover essential design principles like balance, color selection, and font pairing. Through step-by-step guidance, attendees will explore how to use Canva’s pre-made templates for presentations, social media posts, and infographics.

With hands-on activities, participants will practice creating simple designs, leaving the workshop confident in their ability to use Canva for personal, school, business, or social media projects. No design skills are needed – just creativity and a willingness to learn!

Instructor: Raneem Meknas, Artist and Digital Marketing Expert

ONLINE
Wednesday, November 6, 7 – 9 pm AT
Registration Deadline: November 4

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TAXES FOR ARTISTS

This workshop will go over the basics of filing your taxes as an independent artist tackling common questions like how to account for grants, collaborations, contract work, a home studio, etc. We’ll go over what can and can’t be claimed, how to keep track of things and stay organized throughout the year, and how to translate the CRA’s terminology into what applies to you as a working artist.

This workshop will include takeaway tool kits and guides for all attendees, and break everything down into simple and digestible information to help you file your own taxes with confidence.

Instructor: Sally Wolchyn-Raab, Artist and Co-director of Eyelevel ARC

IN PERSON
HALIFAX: Saturday, November 9, 1- 4 pm AT
Visual Arts Nova Scotia, 1113 Marginal Road
Registration Deadline: November 8

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ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:

David Dahms has been a preparator for over a decade, working currently at MSVU Art Gallery in Kjipuktuk, Mi’kma’ki. David has taught at NSCADU, led numerous workshops for VANS regarding art handling, crating, transportation, exhibition design and more. David is a proud union member, father and decent amateur MC.

Marie-Soleil Provençal is a French-Canadian artist from Québec, Canada. She has a Masters in Fine Arts (from NSCAD University) complementary to a degree in graphic design. She has been a designer, artist and instructor in Visual Arts for the past few years from Québec to Newfoundland. She combines her expertise to render complex ideas, including scientific concepts, in their most visually accessible ways.

Christopher Webb is a self-taught, visual artist who lives in works in Nova Scotia. He was awarded the CREA – Cantieri del Contemporaneo Venezia Prize for Painting and will have his first international solo exhibition in 2025 at the Marina Bastianello Gallery in Venice, Italy. Webb frequently guest lectures at universities and art colleges and is also the co-founder and director of PAVIA Gallery where he has curated exhibitions and directed Artist-in-Residence programs involving national and international artists.

Becka Barker is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and researcher of settler descent who resides in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. Over the past two decades she has written successful grants and funding proposals for a wide variety of arts organizations and has mentored dozens of artists in developing grantwriting skills, as well. Her own research and artistic practice has been funded by The Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia, The National Film Board of Canada, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, among others.

Raneem Meknas is a dynamic artist, digital marketing expert, and the founder of Artsy Blossom, where she has taught over 300 students and hosted more than 40 workshops in just one year. With an HBA from the University of Toronto, double majoring in Art and Art History, as well as Communication, Culture, Information Technology, she also holds diplomas in Studio Art and Digital Communications from Sheridan College. Raneem’s professional background spans marketing, PR, and communications roles for notable International and local organizations.

Her artistic journey has been featured in exhibitions across Ontario and the Middle East, captivating audiences with her distinctive vision. Currently, Raneem serves as a full-time visual arts teacher at the high school level while continuing to lead Artsy Blossom, offering seasonal creative workshops for the public and corporate and nonprofit clients. Through her work, she combines her passion for teaching and art, inspiring creativity in students of all ages.

Sally Wolchyn-Raab is an ashkenazi/settler interdisciplinary artist, critical writer and arts administrator based in Kjipuktuk (Halifax). She has worked in arts administration and nonprofit bookkeeping for nearly 15 years and supported numerous artists and organizations with filing tax returns and navigating sticky CRA issues.

Cancellation Policy: Refunds of 75% of workshop fee will be given if cancellation occurs 72 hours or more prior to the beginning of the workshop. No refund will be given if cancellation occurs on the day of the workshop. If VANS cancels the workshop for any reason, registrants will be notified and given a full refund.

For more information, please contact:
Carri MacKay
Programming Coordinator
Visual Arts Nova Scotia
1113 Marginal Road
Halifax, NS B3H 4P7

communicate@visualarts.ns.ca