Arts Nova Scotia

09/08/2026

September 8, 2026 is the 60th Anniversary of International Literacy Day.

We are proud to support two Nova Scotian literary festivals through our Operate – Activate program.

Cabot Trail Writers’ Festival will take place October 2-4 in Unama’ki (Cape Breton) and AfterWords Literary Festival will take place November 1-8 in Kjipuktuk (Halifax). Both festivals are founding members of the Canadian Association of Literary Festivals and help to nurture readers and writers across Nova Scotia and beyond.

Looking for even more ways to engage with literacy in Nova Scotia? Check out Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia’s NS Festivals, Fairs and Series roundup linked in our bio.

Afterwords Literary Festival CALF Writers' Federation of NS UNESCO

About
Since 1967, the annual celebrations of International Literacy Day (ILD) have taken place on 8 September around the world to remind policy-makers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society.

09/08/2026

Notice for applicants to the September 15 Mi’kmaq Arts program deadline:
Our thoughts are with the community members and their families who have been affected by the flooding this weekend.
We want you to know that in light of the ongoing state of emergency, deadline extensions are available.
If you will not be able to submit your application on time because of the flooding, email program officer David Goudie as soon as possible at [email protected] to request an extension.

09/01/2026

Introducing Tip Tuesdays with Program Officer Enrique Ferreol!

Every other Tuesday we are going to share some of our top tips for applying to grants at Arts Nova Scotia.

Today Enrique shares how joining a service organization can help you!

Visual Arts Nova Scotia Writers' Fed of Nova Scotia Dance Nova Scotia Theatre Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Choral Federation Music Nova Scotia Screen Nova Scotia

08/26/2026

The Mi’kmaq Arts program deadline is coming up on September 15.
Before applying, be sure to check out our Resources for Artists page. There’s an application guide, glossary of terms, FAQ and more.
You can also find an Application Checklist and program guidelines on the Mi’kmaq Arts program page
Click the links below to get started:
Resources for Artists: https://artsns.ca/programs -for-artists
Mi’kmaq Arts Program Page: https://artsns.ca/programs/mikmaq-arts-program

07/30/2026

Congratulations to Nova Scotian artist Aquakultre on receiving a Joseph S. Stauffer Prize!

Sound familiar? Aquakultre was the recipient of the 2025 Creative Nova Scotia Black Artist Recognition Award, and his album 1783 has made the short list for the 2026 Polaris Prize.

The Canada Council for the Arts is pleased to announce the 2025 Joseph S. Stauffer Prize recipients, awarded to emerging and mid-career artists who demonstrate strong artistic potential.

✒ Clémence Dumas-Côté (Literature)
A writer and poet from Quebec’s Eastern Townships whose award-winning work has been published in French and translated into English.

🎶 Aquakultre (Music)
The artistic voice of Nova Scotia-based musician and storyteller Lance Sampson, whose genre-spanning work explores ancestry, history and community through music and multimedia projects.

🎨 Kosisochukwu Nnebe (Visual Arts)
A Nigerian-Canadian conceptual artist and researcher whose internationally exhibited work reimagines historical narratives through the experiences and perspectives of Black women.

🔗 Learn more: https://canadacouncil.ca/funding/prizes/joseph-s-stauffer-prizes


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Le Conseil des arts du Canada est heureux d’annoncer les gagnant·es 2025 des Prix Joseph-S.-Stauffer, qui reconnaissent le potentiel artistique exceptionnel d’artistes en début ou en milieu de carrière.

✒ Clémence Dumas-Côté (littérature)
Une écrivaine et poète originaire des Cantons-de-l’Est, au Québec, dont les œuvres primées ont été publiées en français et traduites en anglais.

🎶 Aquakultre (musique)
La voix artistique de Lance Sampson, musicien et conteur originaire de Nouvelle-Écosse, dont les œuvres transcendent les genres tout en explorant les thèmes de l’ascendance, de l’histoire et de la communauté par le biais de projets musicaux et multimédias.

🎨 Kosisochukwu Nnebe (arts visuels)
Une artiste conceptuelle et chercheuse nigéro-canadienne dont les œuvres, exposées à l’échelle internationale, réinventent les récits historiques à travers les expériences et les points de vue des femmes noires.

🔗 En savoir plus : https://conseildesarts.ca/financement/prix/prix-joseph-s-stauffer

07/14/2026

Check out the full Artist Spotlight on 2025 Emerging Artist Recognition Award recipient Vivian Zhou! This Artist Spotlight video features an insightful look into Vivian and their work!
Presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council. Produced by HEIST and Keke Beatz.
A supplementary podcast by Art Pays Me with Duane Jones is also available! Keke Beatz Duane Jones HEIST

Check out the full Artist Spotlight on 2025 Emerging Artist Recogni...

06/26/2026

We’ve had a great response to our outreach tour. So great, that we’ve switched venues for our Thursday, July 9 session. The session was previously planned for Wonder’neath but has been moved to the North End Public Library, to allow for more attendees.

Spots for the Wednesday, May 8 session in Dartmouth are also nearly full so now is the time to RSVP.

A reminder that there is a virtual session planned for anyone who cannot make it in person.

RSVP https://tinyurl.com/3nzetxhe

06/24/2026

Before applying to the Arts Equity program, be sure to check out our Resources for Artists page. There’s an application guide, glossary of terms, FAQ and more.

You can also find an Application Checklist and program guidelines on the Arts Equity program page

Click the links below to get started:
Resources for Artists: https://artsns.ca/programs -for-artists
Arts Equity Program Page: https://artsns.ca/programs/arts-equity-funding-initiative

06/23/2026

Arts Nova Scotia and the Canada Council for the Arts are coming to communities across central and southwestern Nova Scotia from July 6 to 16, 2026.

Join us this summer to meet program officers and fellow artists and to take part in informal information sessions to learn more about available funding opportunities, ask questions about grants and connect directly with employees from both organizations.

Whether this is your first time connecting with the Canada Council and Arts Nova Scotia or you’re returning with new ideas, you are welcome to join us.

Information sessions will be presented primarily in English, with select bilingual (English and French) sessions offered. Participants are welcome to ask questions in either language in any session. Space is limited, and advance registration is required.

RSVP https://tinyurl.com/3nzetxhe

06/21/2026

June 21, 2026 is the 30th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day!
 
Today, and everyday, is a great opportunity to celebrate Mi’kmaq, First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists who live and work here in Mi’kma’ki!
 
Artwork: Buffy Googoo, “Nikmaq (our family)”, 2023, Oil on canvas, Collection of the Nova Scotia Art Bank