More Than a Line Item: The True Value of Arts in Nova Scotia
The Provincial Government has proposed a $130 million cut in arts grants and funding. Our creative community is facing a 30% funding cut. Learn how this affects you—and how to help.
Like so many other arts organizations across Nova Scotia, we at Antigonish Culture Alive (ACA) were deeply grieved last week to learn about the massive cuts to arts programming announced in the recent provincial budget. We believe, and have witnessed personally, that arts are essential to community building, intellectual and cognitive growth, mental wellness, physical health, spiritual wellbeing and relationship development, not to mention the immeasurable benefits to local economy, tourism and the recruitment and retention of professionals to our region.
These kinds of austerity measures give the appearance of saving the taxpayer money, but they make a miniscule difference to the spreadsheets of the current fiscal operations, and create long-term damage to our province’s economy. Nova Scotia is renowned across the country for its music scene, storytelling and artisan culture. It is known for small communities that support the arts. Arts organizations, museums and libraries do much of the heavy-lifting for tourism, one of Nova Scotia’s primary industries. These cuts are short-term reactionary measures that will have a long-lasting impact on our education systems, sense of belonging, and cultural innovation.
We have ample evidence that engaging with the arts is important for health, for social development, and for STEM industries. We know that creativity in the arts fosters creativity in the science and tech sectors. We can see from the results of Ireland’s recent universal basic income for artists pilot project that government investment in the arts is beneficial for the economy overall.
We are still waiting to hear what these cuts will look like for ACA, but we know we are facing at least a 30% cut to our operating budget, which will mean a reduction in what we can offer at Antigonight, artists in schools programming, and the administrative, consulting, curating partnerships support we can offer the many organizations we support in town. We also fear that the development of our new regional Arts Centre facility may incur challenges from these cuts. We are gutted on behalf of the artistic and cultural partners and programs in the region, including but not limited to the museum, the library, Festival and Theatre Antigonish, Arts and Health Antigonish (AHA!), Antigonish Film Connection, ASAP Artist-Run Centre, Nova Spiritus Society, Teasdale Arts Society, Antigonish Improv, and funding for our local musicians, publishing houses. We are saddened for singers with the Nova Scotia Choral Federation, authors with the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia, Nimbus Publishing, and artists with Visual Arts Nova Scotia. These provincial federations provide education, promotion, teaching opportunities, residencies, equity and diversity grants, as well as grants to artists in all stages of their careers. We also recognize that cuts like this always affect marginalised populations most significantly. We stand alongside Mi’kmaq, Black and African Nova Scotian communities and individuals who have been affected by these and other cuts to cultural development funds, including our neighbours in Paqtnkek.
These drastic cuts will devastate our community, our tourism industry, our local economy and culture. We need our government to continue to invest in the arts. Supporting the arts means supporting community development, local industry, innovation, youth programming, mental health support, eldercare and more.
Please contact our MLA, Michelle Thompson, to advocate for a reversal of budget cuts to the arts, and share the specific programs that have impacted you in our region.
michellethompsonmla@gmail.com
| 902-863-4266
Please also attend, if you are able, the rally at the Halifax legislator at noon on March 4th or the Antigonish Rally for Arts & Culture on March 4th from 4:00-5:30 outside the MLA’s office. on 325 Main Street. We will be there and hope to see you there too!
The Financial Reality
This table highlights the most significant cuts to the arts and culture sector as detailed in the “Grant Reductions – Details by Department” report.
| Program / Grant Name | Reduction Amount | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Anchor Organizations (CCTH) | $1,625,000 | Ref. 85 |
| Locally Managed Museums | $1,600,000 | Ref. 93 |
| Arts NS – Operating Assistance | $850,000 | Ref. 82 |
| Creative Economy – Publishers Assistance | $700,000 | Ref. 31 |
| Creative Economy – Creative Industries Fund | $748,000 | Ref. 79 |
| Artists in Schools (Combined CCTH/Education) | $355,000 | Ref. 33 & 107 |
*Figures are represented in actual dollars. Original data from document source.
Why These Cuts Hurt
Impacted Ref #s are from the “Grant Reductions – Details by Department” report
1. Economic Prosperity & Jobs
Impacted: Ref 79 (Creative Industries), Ref 82 (Operating Assistance), Ref 31 (Publishers)
- Job Creation: For every $1 million in output, the arts support 13 jobs. This is a higher employment return than traditional sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, or oil and gas
- GDP Growth: The arts and culture sector contributed $131 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2024, growing at a faster rate than the overall economy.
- Return on Investment: Every $1 of public investment in the arts generates $29 in economic activity.
- Tourism Impact: Cultural tourists spend twice as much per trip and stay longer than typical tourists. Cutting these programs directly weakens Nova Scotia’s record-breaking tourism industry.
- The Source: Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Artworks Report.
2. Public Health & Mental Wellness
Impacted: Ref 85 (Anchor Organizations), Ref 61 (Diversity & Capacity), Ref 95 (Art Gallery of NS)
- Disease Prevention: The World Health Organization (WHO) found that arts engagement reduces the risk of developing mental illness and helps manage chronic physical conditions.
- Cognitive Resilience: Regular cultural attendance (museums/theaters) builds “cognitive reserve,” which can delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Social Connection: 75% of people report a stronger sense of community belonging when they engage with local arts, directly combating the “loneliness epidemic”.
- The Source: WHO Report on Arts and Health.
3. Education & Brain Health
Impacted: Ref 107 & 33 (Artists in Schools), Ref 117 (Creative Excellence Awards)
- Academic Success: Students with high arts involvement perform significantly better in math and literacy assessments.
- Brain Development: Arts education improves neuroplasticity, enhancing a child’s ability to solve complex problems and regulate emotions.
- Future Workforce: Engagement in the arts fosters the “soft skills”—creativity and adaptability—that are the most sought-after traits in the modern global economy.
- The Source: Canada Council for the Arts – Research & Impact.
Action Plan: How to Help
Step 1: Contact Your MLA
Find your representative and tell them that arts are essential for Nova Scotia’s economic and mental health.
Step 2: Share the Research
Don’t just say the cuts are “bad”—show the data. Share the Canada Council for the Arts, WHO, and Chamber of Commerce links above to prove that arts funding saves the province money in the long run.
Step 3: Join the Advocacy
The Nova Scotia Arts Coalition is organizing a rally at Province House on March 4th. Antigonish’s Art & Culture Rally will take place March 4th from 4:00-5:30 outside the MLA’s office on 325 Main Street. We will be there and hope to see you there too!
- Follow the coalition for updates and coordinated messaging.