Nova Scotia Department of Tourism and Culture

Nova Scotia Department of Tourism and Culture

Nova Scotia Department of Tourism and Culture. Provincial government department created in 1988. Included within its structure is the Cultural Affairs Division, which functioned as part of the Dept of Culture, Recreation and Fitness 1977-88 and as part of the Dept of Education prior to 1977. The director of the division in 1991 was Allison Bishop. The Cultural Affairs Division has a staff of 15 and is responsible for administering assistance to cultural industries, built heritage, visual arts, performing arts and crafts. The department provides financial grants and program assistance at all levels from the recreational to the professional.

The department and its predecessors have worked to develop a cultural policy for Nova Scotia, attempting to provide greater opportunities in the arts within the province and, to this end, have worked closely with arts and cultural organizations. Its activities have included the annual funding of Symphony Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra, and the Scotia Festival of Music, the establishment (ca 1975) of a program to assist community bands, financial assistance to Musicfest Canada 1992, and help in the creation of several provincial federations, including the Nova Scotia Choral Federation.

The department provides annual funding to such federations in support of both programs and administrative staff. It also has co-operated with the cultural agencies of the other Atlantic provinces and the Canada Council Touring Office in sponsoring the semi-annual performing artists' showcase Contact East, begun in 1976. Through its Cultural Affairs Division the department has made grants to individuals, bands, choral groups, music camps, festivals, and musical societies. It has sponsored representatives to national and international competitions and conferences and has provided grants to artists for travel both inside and outside Nova Scotia. The division also supports the Performing Arts Sponsors Organization of Nova Scotia which brings together agents, artists, and sponsors.