News release

Funding for Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Study

Premier's Office
Communities, Culture and Heritage (Jan. 2011 - Aug. 2021)

The governments of Nova Scotia and Canada are investing $108,000 in a feasibility study that will help the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) determine the costs and benefits of a new, larger facility.

"This investment is consistent with jobsHere, the plan to create good jobs and grow the economy," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "A new public art gallery would provide greater support for the arts and culture sector, which employs hundreds of Nova Scotians and contributes significantly to the provincial economy."

"The federal government is pleased to invest $60,000 to help Atlantic Canada's largest visual art gallery investigate the potential of building a new facility that would ensure it is one of Canada's premier galleries," said Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. "It is in all of our interest to ensure that our artistic heritage has the best home we can provide for it."

AGNS will invest $12,000 in the study, which will help the gallery develop a sustainable plan for the future. It will recruit a consultant to study the costs for improving its ability to display and interpret potential acquisitions and travelling exhibits.

A larger space will also allow AGNS to display more of its impressive collection, which includes some outstanding Nova Scotia folk art. It would also allow the gallery to host more educational, community and corporate events.

"The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia has a long history of preserving Nova Scotia's artistic legacy and the board of governors looks forward to strengthening that role through the commitment made today," said John Oliver, chair of the board of governors. "This study is a key tool in defining the future and direction of the gallery. It is an investment in our regional cultural landscape and will ensure that the gallery sets a proper course for a vibrant and sustainable future."

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is the largest art museum in Atlantic Canada. It houses the province's art collection and offers a range of exhibitions and programming.