Nova Scotia cultural orgs get over $1.3m for resilient infrastructure

HALIFAX – The places and spaces we transform through sharing art and culture become so much more than their four walls. We remember and cherish the places where we were when special moments took place. Nova Scotia’s diverse and vibrant culture is supported by numerous organizations that deliver performances, exhibits, workshops, displays and more. The staff and volunteers of these groups work hard to organize events and activities that tell Nova Scotia’s rich story through the arts.

For these cultural organizations to deliver quality activities while accommodating and welcoming different audiences, it is essential that facilities incorporate new technologies, modern infrastructure and upgrades to their spaces. Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced that more than $1.3 million from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund has been awarded to eight organizations in Nova Scotia. The announcement was made during a visit to one of the funding recipients, the Neptune Theatre, in Halifax.

The Neptune Theatre is receiving $54,000 to transform their warehouse into a functional carpentry workshop and professional storage area. The conversion will require electrical and plumbing installation, heavy-duty shelving and safety lighting. The improvements will create a better working space for Neptune Theatre’s professionals working in set construction, lighting, sound, prop design and more, which will result in enhanced experiences for audiences and performers on stage.

The other organizations receiving funding are: King’s Theatre Society ($489,313); Museum of Natural History ($346,000); Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association ($249,722); Conseil acadien de Par-en-Bas ($125,000); Songwriters and Storytellers Society ($75,000); Cobequid Arts Council (10,533$); and Society for Arts Presentation / Centre for Arts Tapes ($6,681).