Advise

The Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council (CNSLC) provides advice to guide government’s ongoing investment in artists, cultural industries and other cultural activities. The 15-member council makes recommendations to the Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage on planning, design and delivery of arts and culture programs in Nova Scotia. The Council’s mission is to facilitate the development, preservation and promotion of the arts and culture sector in partnership with the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage and the arts and culture community.

As an advisory body to the Minister, the operations of the council are funded through the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage. The Council does not have a budget to administer programs of its own. All programs are funded by the Culture Division and the Council is not involved in the decision-making process for the Division’s funding programs. The Council makes recommendations to the Minister regarding the allocation of funds to each program. The staff of the Culture Division administer the programs and assist the decision-making process through peer selection committees (i.e., juries) or peer assessment panels.

Creative Nova Scotia Awards

Each fall, the Council presents the Creative Nova Scotia Awards Gala. The Gala serves to as an opportunity for members of the sector to celebrate the creativity, diversity and success that Nova Scotia’s artists have achieved. 

During the Gala, Council presents two prizes: the Community Arts and Culture Recognition Award and the Established Artist Recognition Awards. Prizes are also evaluated by either peer juries or peer assessment panels, including the two prizes presented by the Council. For more information on the peer evaluation process, please visit the Culture Division website.