Visual Arts Nova Scotia administers a number of programs and services for its membership, including:
Artists in Mind: Visual Arts Nova Scotia released the Artists In Mind: Report on Artists’ Mental Health and Wellbeing in Nova Scotia - a research initiative examining the mental health experiences of artists of multiple disciplines (including visual and media arts, craft, theatre, music, dance, writing, circus, and others) living within the province of Nova Scotia.
VANS in Residence: VANS in Residence is a program coordinated by Visual Arts Nova Scotia in partnership with host organizations (libraries, museums, community centres) across the province. This work will engage the participating artist and the community in exploring the chosen artist’s practice, and community based art. This project evolved out of VANS' artist in the schools program, PAINTS (Professional Artists in The Schools).
Mentorship Program: The VANS Mentorship Program is designed to support the individual artistic methods and professional ambitions of emerging artists in Nova Scotia by providing access to the skills and experience of selected mentors.
Workshops: VANS offers professional development workshops related to your career as an artist. Topics include: grant writing, proposals, taxes, marketing, writing for the arts, documenting your work, social media, website design, exhibition prep, and more.
PAINTS: The Professional Artists in the Schools (PAINTS) program enables schools throughout Nova Scotia to bring professional artists working both in visual arts and fine crafts into their classrooms. For detailed information visit visualarts.ns.ca/paints.
Visual Arts News: The magazine, distributed nationally, is published twice a year with features, profiles, interviews, news and reviews primarily focusing on artists and the visual arts in Atlantic Canada. Membership in VANS includes a subscription to the magazine. For further information visit www.visualartsnews.ca.
Peer Application Review Groups: Visual Arts Nova Scotia facilitates a peer review process for members to strengthen their upcoming applications.
VANS Artist Emergency Fund: Assists artists in financial need arising from severe illness, an accident resulting in inability to work of help with studio replacement in case of a disaster, such as fire, where there is no insurance.
Communications:
- VANS Newsletter is a biweekly newsletter with information on current opportunities relevant to your art practice.
- Artist Profiles and Instagram Takeovers highlight our programs by featuring an active member artist participating in our programs.
- Social Media on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X.
Networking: Opportunities for artists to network through peer to peer discussions, talks, presentations and information sessions.
Internships: Administrative work terms for art college students.
Advocacy: Promotion of arts awareness in government, business, schools, media, and the general public.