Nova Scotia Art Bank Purchase Program

Who can apply

Professional artists who are Canadian citizens, or landed immigrants, who have maintained their primary residence in Nova Scotia for at least 12 months prior to the application deadline.

Professional artist collectives may apply. For the purposes of the Art Bank Purchase program, a collective is defined as a group of (minimum two) artists, the majority of whom reside in Nova Scotia, who share copyright over collaboratively created artworks. A collective may be either a non-profit society or non-profit cooperative registered with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies or ad-hoc. Ad-hoc collectives will be asked to provide the social insurance number of the signatory applicant who will accept payment.

Nova Scotian Commercial galleries may submit on behalf of a living Nova Scotian artist or artist collective who they represent on regionally-exclusive and contractual basis

Only one application is accepted per artist or artist collective.

The determination of professional is determined by the Status of the Artist Act including but not limited to the following criteria:

1. To have peer recognition
2. To have a history of public presentation
3. To have training appropriate to the artist's chosen discipline (including self-taught and/or apprenticeship training)
4. To earn income, fully or in part, from artistic activity
5. To demonstrate seriousness of intent and devotion of energy to practicing one's art

Paintings, sculptures, limited edition prints and photographs, drawings, fine craft, mixed media, and other related mediums. The Art Bank no longer acquires films, videos, or installation works.

Work must have been produced within seven years prior to the application deadline.

Works must be able to be moved safely by two art handlers and easily fit into a cargo van once framed.

Works must be in stable physical condition that can withstand regular handling and transportation.