If the last few weeks of budget protests have shown anything, it's that this town has some powerful advocates for the arts. Which is great, since Halifax is looking for citizens to participate on the newly-formed ArtsHalifax advisory committee.
Approved at council’s May 12 meeting, ArtsHalifax will be composed of eight artistic minds appointed for up to three years who will meet regularly and advise the city on policy developments in support of HRM’s arts and culture scene.
Advice areas will include the $300,000 Interim Professional Arts Grant program that was initiated by HRM last year. One of ArtsHalifax’s mandates will be to help develop and oversee the peer jury which distributes those funds. Other tasks include;
-Developing a municipal arts and culture awards program
-Communicating with arts and culture youth networks
-Researching and develop recommendations on promoting the arts
-Providing guidance on developing cultural priorities
...And generally being the go-to experts for Halifax’s theatre, visual arts, music, dance, literary, film, arts administration and arts education communities.
Prospective applicants should be members of the arts and culture scene and/or have some experience working with local arts organizations. Preference is being given to established artists, professionals, cultural workers, arts administrators and anyone involved in related communities.
“Applicants should be prepared to work within the framework established by Regional Council and must be willing to participate in a positive manner in forming recommendations for consideration,” reads a release from the city. “Applicants should also have a respect and appreciation for diversity and the time and energy required for public service.”
Just for the record, the ArtsHalifax advisory committee has nothing to do with the current ArtsHalifax website or Twitter account. The city was apparently unaware of the currently-used brand when putting together this new committee, but they’re not concerned.
“We don’t think it will matter much, as it’s not our intention to develop any sort of an independent online presence for that committee,” says spokesperson Jennifer Stairs over email. Halifax already operates its @CultureHRM account for sharing arts info.
If you’re up to the challenge, applicants for ArtsHalifax can send their cover letter, resume and any additional relevant information to [email protected] (or by snail mail at the address here). The deadline is Friday, May 29 at 4:30pm.
Once the applications are in, the Community Planning & Economic Development committee will recommend the appropriate winners to Regional Council (who still have final approval).
