The New Brunswick government has announced a new approach to arts funding.
Administration of the government’s remodeled Operational Support Program is being transferred to the New Brunswick Arts Board, also known as artsnb, an arm’s-length arts funding agency.
“Transferring administration of this updated program to artsnb leverages the organization’s expertise in jury-based assessment and aligns the delivery of funding for creative purposes for both organizations and individual artists under one roof,” Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Isabelle Thériault said in a statement.
It’s one of several steps the government is taking to modernize its overall approach to supporting the arts.
“This transition builds on artsnb’s long-standing role as a key partner in delivering public support for the arts,” said artsnb chair Jason Guerrette.
With the change, artsnb will be responsible for administering operational funding for eligible arts organizations. It’s expected applicants will benefit from a single, clearly defined access point for creation, development and operational support.
Project-based and sector-development funding will continue to be administered by the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture.
Nova Scotia is walking back some of the $130 million in planned budget cuts.
They’re restoring over $53 million in three areas: disability support, seniors and funding for African Nova Scotian and Indigenous students.
Premier Tim Houston says they were honest about the financial situation of the province, and admit some decisions were wrong.
“For that, I’m sorry.” said the Premier during a news conference on Tuesday.
“I never want Nova Scotians to feel that the government is working against them. We did not do enough ahead of time to explain the seriousness of the challenges we’re facing, we moved too quickly.”
He says after listening to the public outcry and concrete examples brought forward, they decided to restore some funding.
Houston says this will increase Nova Scotia’s $1.19 billion deficit, but these programs make a difference, and it was the right decision.
Arts and culture cuts not restored
The cuts to the arts, culture and tourism sector will remain.
Houston says the arts community is valued.
“Arts and culture is a big part of what makes us special. Even though the adjustments remain, I do wish we could do more today.”
A rally is planned outside Province House Tuesday, hundreds attended one last week, and several smaller rallies across the province.
Rally for arts and culture in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
Chender calls cuts ‘total mismanagement’
The leader of the NDP slammed the government on how they handled the cuts, saying it was “chaos” and “total mismanagement.”
Claudia Chender tells reporters that the situation raises questions about how the decisions were communicated and how government spending is managed.
“I think what we see is total mismanagement,” Chender says. “Again, we have ministers of departments with cuts who cannot speak to those cuts or who say one thing and then say another thing the next day.”
She also pointed to what she described as issues with oversight and budgeting practices.
“Well, I think for one thing we need to know that Nova Scotians are getting value for money,” she says.
Rally for arts and culture in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
‘We chose Nova Scotia’
Artists employed with the Gale Force Theatre say as far as they know their funding has been completely cut.
Lily Falk works as an artist at the theatre, and she says she’s, “really devastated at the cruelty of the cuts.” As an artist who’s in a collaboration, who has a theater company that specifically moved here to this province to make work together, we chose this as our home.”
Franziska Glen says losing the program will affect youth on the Eastern Shore and in Halifax and Dartmouth.
“All of these things are going to be so deeply affected and are also affecting the people that we serve which are kids and families all across the province,” Glen explains.
Glen says some students have told her the improv group she helps run was the only reason they finished high school, and she worries losing it could also harm kids’ mental health.
Premier Tim Houston said it appears the NDP is looking for ways to gain a political advantage.
He made the comments Thursday afternoon, when questioned by reporters about accusing the official opposition of organizing Wednesday’s rally for arts and culture, the Premier responded, “well, the NDP were obviously speaking there, promoting it. They’ve, you know, it’s part of what they’re doing.”
Thousands of people across Nova Scotia joined the rally in response to last week’s spring budget, which included hundreds of cuts to arts and culture programs. The government said the reductions are necessary to help tackle a $1.2 billion deficit.
NDP Leader Claudia Chender said she was not the only one to speak at the rally. Other government officials stepped outside to address the crowd including Liberal Leader Ian Rankin and Independent MLA Becky Druhan.
The event drew widespread attention from the arts community, with many participants voicing concern that the budget cuts could have lasting impacts on cultural institutions and local artists.
While Houston reiterated that the province must focus on fiscal responsibility, opposition members argue that the arts are a vital part of Nova Scotia’s identity and economy.
The debate over funding priorities is expected to continue as the legislature reviews the details of the spring budget.
