This week has seen significant pushback against the provincial budget cuts in Nova Scotia, particularly concerning funding for the arts and culture sector. The Nova Scotia Arts Coalition has stepped forward to vocalize its concerns, urging Premier Tim Houston to reconsider the cuts, which the coalition claims will have a “seismic” impact on various facets of the cultural landscape.
According to Chris O’Neill, a member of the coalition and the Executive Director of the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, the budget has disproportionately targeted the cultural sector, with proposed cuts that could devastate individuals, organizations, and communities across the province. O’Neill warns that failure to reverse these cuts will have dire economic repercussions for Nova Scotia. He highlights potential job losses, a decrease in tourism revenue, and a significant reduction in cultural activities that could deter immigration to the province, which has historically been bolstered by its vibrant cultural scene.
The coalition draws attention to some alarming statistics, including a troubling 30 percent cut to Arts Nova Scotia and either full or partial cuts to 72 grant programs. These programs include crucial initiatives such as the Artists in Schools program, the Nova Scotia Talent Trust, and the Art Bank. The potential loss of these programs could hinder the growth and sustenance of the cultural sector, making it more challenging for artists and organizations to thrive.
In recent discussions, O’Neill refers to a national study conducted by the Chamber of Commerce that reveals an 8 percent growth in the GDP associated with the arts and culture sector over the past three years. This percentage exceeds the overall economic growth, marking the cultural sector as a significant contributor to Nova Scotia's economy. The coalition also emphasizes that the sector employs approximately 14,000 individuals. However, ongoing surveys indicate many organizations may be forced to lay off staff or refrain from hiring new employees due to budgetary constraints.
Scott Tresham, the CEO of Symphony Nova Scotia and another member of the coalition, stresses that the financial savings the government aims to achieve through cuts are relatively minor. The total cuts amount to $130 million against a net deficit of $27.9 billion, which Tresham argues hardly makes a significant impact. Nonetheless, the reduction in funding is poised to have far-reaching and damaging effects on the arts, culture, and heritage community, which primarily consists of non-profit and charitable organizations.
In light of these developments, the arts coalition has announced plans to hold a rally on Wednesday, aimed for noon outside Province House. The rally is expected to draw attention to the issues at hand and highlight the critical need for government support in the arts and culture sector.
