‘Devastating’: Arts Coalition calls on province to reverse funding cuts

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

There’s more pushback against this week’s provincial budget cuts.

The Nova Scotia Arts Coalition is now calling on the premier to reverse cuts made to arts and culture, which it says will have a “seismic” impact on the sector.

“This budget has targeted the cultural sector disproportionately with proposed cuts that will devastate individuals, organizations, and communities across the province,” said Chris O’Neill, member of the coalition and Executive Director of the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts. “Without a swift reversal, these cuts will negatively impact the economy of Nova Scotia through job losses, loss of tourism dollars and cultural activity, and remove one of the strongest draws for new immigrants to the province – our culture.”

The non-profit group points to a 30 per cent cut to Arts Nova Scotia, and full or partial cuts to 72 grant programs, including the Artists in Schools program, the Nova Scotia Talent Trust and the Art Bank.

O’Neill said a recent national Chamber of Commerce study found that over the past three years, GDP stemming from the arts and culture sector has grown almost 8 per cent, outpacing overall economic growth.

The coalition also said the sector employs about 14,000 people, and an ongoing survey shows many organizations will be forced to lay off or not re-hire workers.

“The savings the government seeks through cuts to grants and community organizations are proportionally small – the sum total of the cuts is only $130 million on a net deficit of $27.9 billion, hardly a dent,” said Symphony Nova Scotia CEO and coalition member Scott Tresham. “Yet for the arts, culture, and heritage community, composed largely of non-profit and charitable organizations, these reductions are seismic and their impact on broader economic activity disproportionately damaging.”

The arts coalition is planning to hold a rally next Wednesday at noon outside Province House.