Workshops


VANS offers professional development workshops related to your career as an artist. Register for the Spring 2024 Workshop series today!


This series will be offered live over Zoom and registered participants 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 live 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. We will return to offering both in-person workshops and online workshops in the fall.

Each online workshop will be two hours total (including a Q & A portion) and cost $40 for VANS members and $50 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.


SPRING 2024 WORKSHOPS

ARTIST RESIDENCIES

Feeling like you need a creative reboot? This workshop focuses on applying and preparing yourself for artist residencies. Learn about the benefits of local, out-of-province and international residencies, as well as the differences between structured programs and independent research models. Gain some insight into finding and making residency opportunities. Learn to differentiate between different models. Find ways to fund residencies that charge a fee, and learn to find those that pay. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of several models and workshop ideas for non-traditional approaches. There will also be a brief discussion about a few logistical considerations when attending an artist residency abroad.

Instructor: Eryn Foster, Artist and Educator

ONLINE
Thursday, March 28, 7 – 9pm 
Registration Deadline: March 26

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HOW TO GIVE A GREAT ARTIST TALK 

Do you struggle to talk confidently about your work? In this workshop we will cover the basics of giving an artist talk, how to prepare, what to cover, specific tips and tricks for online and in-person talks, and the different ways you can frame the talk to fit within your specific access needs. Being able to comfortably talk about your practice in any setting (professional/ casual) will help you form connections, grow your network and gain a stronger sense of identity within the broader arts community.

Instructor: Lux Gow-Habrich, Artist and Educator

ONLINE
Wednesday, April 3, 7 – 9 pm AT
Registration Deadline: March 27

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REFRAMING STRESS CREATIVE WELLNESS WORKSHOP 

Everyone deals with stress in their life. This stress can be activated by a number of events in life, issues with relationships, toxic workplaces, physical health challenges and loss. Stress can also motivate us to move in new and even positive directions in life. When stress causes us to withdraw from life events, work and the things that we enjoy doing it is time to take action and find ways to manage and reduce your stress. In this workshop, we’ll use the medium of drawing in this creative wellness process to address stressful events in our lives.

Instructor: Gerard McNeil, Artist, Educator and Therapeutic Art Practitioner

ONLINE
Wednesday, April 10, 6 – 8 pm AT
Registration Deadline: April 5

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ONLINE MARKETING FOR ARTISTS    

An online presence has become crucial for many artists. We’ll discuss websites, email lists, social media, and online selling. We’ll talk about how to use the best tools and tactics that fit into a tight budget and schedule. By the end of the session, you’ll see how the core elements of marketing work together to help you reach your best customers, and how to develop an online marketing plan that works for you.

Instructor: Stacey Cornelius, People-first marketing strategist

ONLINE
Wednesday, April 17, 7 – 9pm AT
Registration Deadline: April 12

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CONTRACT & COPYRIGHT BASICS 

Why is a contract important? What should you look for – and what are the red flags? How are copyrights and contracts related? As an artist, what should you know about your copyrights and how you can make them work for you? This workshop will provide an overview of these and other related issues and concepts, including the Artist Resale Right. Attendees will also be provided with a list of resources for ongoing reference and support in improving their understanding of these tools in their professional life.

Instructor: Sydney Lancaster, Multidisciplinary Artist and Advocate

ONLINE
Wednesday, April 24, 7 – 9 pm AT
Registration Deadline: April 18

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ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:

Eryn Foster is an interdisciplinary artist based in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. She also works as a curator, filmmaker, educator, arts administrator and consultant. Foster received her BFA from Concordia University in Montreal and her MFA from the University of Guelph. Over the past two decades Foster has presented her work at numerous artist-run centres, public galleries and museums as well as ongoing exhibitions at Hermes Gallery, in Halifax, where she is a member of the collective. For more than 15 years she has been a regular part-time faculty member at NSCAD University teaching in the departments of Foundation Studies and Fine Arts. Previously she has also held the positions of Director at Eyelevel Gallery in Halifax and Administrator/Program Director at the Yukon School of Visual Arts in Dawson City. For the past ten years she has worked frequently with Provincial NS Government and a number of arts groups in Atlantic Canada, researching and consulting on topics such as artist mental health, artist podcasting and programming (development, analysis and evaluation). Currently she is participating as a mentor in Visual Arts Nova Scotia’s mentorship program for emerging artists and she is also newly involved as a board member with CARFAC Maritimes.


Lux Gow-Habrich (始娜) is a queer, disabled, multidisciplinary visual artist, facilitator and support worker of mixed, second-generation Chinese and German heritage. Her interest in the body as archive, ritual objects and commemorative practice is rooted in relationality and myth making: reimagining and materializing cultural futures outside of the parameters of colonialism, Orientalism and white-supremacy to allow for reciprocal collective moments of transformative compassion.


Although new to his role as a Therapeutic Arts Practitioner, Gerard McNeil brings more than twenty years of experience designing and facilitating community arts and arts infused learning programs for a diverse range of learners. Gerard is also a practicing artist working in the mediums of photography and drawing. Complementing and informing these experiences is an educational background that includes an MEd in Adult Education, BEd (Visual Art Specialist), BFA in Fine Arts, Certificate in Photography, Points of You Level 1 – Explorer Certification and a Therapeutic Arts Practitioner Certificate (CIIAT)

DISCLAIMER: The CIIAT – Therapeutic Arts Practitioner Certificate does not qualify Gerard as a Certified Art Therapist. The Therapeutic Arts processes he offers should not be considered as art therapy or counselling, rather they have been developed to promote self-expression, stress reduction, personal growth and general mental wellbeing. For more in-depth therapy and counselling needs, Gerard can provide contact information for Certified Art Therapists and other professional mental health services.


Stacey Cornelius is a people-first marketing strategist and operations consultant. She helps small businesses create smart, sustainable marketing — while dismantling the patriarchy and its cousins one small action at a time. Stacey has a BFA from NSCAD university and a background in retail, jewellery making and web design. She’s been teaching in-person and online workshops for well over a decade and is currently the fractional Executive Director for the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award.


Sydney Lancaster is a multidisciplinary visual artist and writer living in Esoqatik/Mtapan/Wolfville. She has over a decade of experience in supporting the careers of visual artists on the Boards of CARFAC Alberta, CARFAC National, and COVA-DAAV (Copyright Visual Arts). She assisted in the creation of the Best Practices for Craft, Media and Visual Artists in Alberta.

 


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