YARMOUTH, N.S. — The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) announced on Friday, May 3, that it will not be reopening its Western Branch in Yarmouth as the organization considers a more sustainable operational model.
“We have been faced with ongoing challenges related to bricks and mortar in both Halifax and Yarmouth, and the cost of operating a satellite branch is high,” said Sarah Moore Fillmore, CEO, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in a media release. “These funds can be better used to enhance art programming for all Nova Scotians, including those living in the Western Region."
The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia's Western Branch in downtown Yarmouth first opened in 2006, after years of lobbying from the community for an art gallery presence in this part of the province.
After opening in 2006, it was a year-round operation, until it moved to a seasonal operation in 2020.
It was one of the few remaining satellite branches of a provincial art gallery in Canada. The facility, which continues to be owned and managed by the province, will remain a provincial asset with Tourism Nova Scotia’s Visitor Information Centre, which had been housed here in recent years, planning to reopen in that location in the coming weeks.
The AGNS offers art education programs to schools across the province through its ArtReach and ArtsSmarts programs, as well as partnering with organizations to bring art programming into communities.
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“The programmatic initiatives we offer in all regions of the province demonstrate the power of community art programming and art education programs in schools, it is also a sustainable way of ensuring the Provincial art gallery has a provincial reach," said Moore Fillmore. “The AGNS looks forward to continuing our work in the Western Region and with our partners in the area to build upon the existing programming there and across the province”
Art education programs can be booked by schools and educators by visiting at AGNS.ca.
Community-based art programming is developed in partnership with community organizations and artists, and can be found listed on the AGNS website as they are made available to the public.
Yarmouth MLA Zach Churchill, the province's Liberal party leader, said he is disappointed that the art gallery branch won't be reopening.
"Our former government fought to keep this art gallery open and it’s a shame this government didn’t do the same, especially with another tourism season around the corner and Le Congrès Mondial Acadien coming to our region," Churchill said. "The art gallery provided a cultural experience and learning opportunities for residents and visitors alike and was a great resource and an inclusive space for youth in our area. Thank you to everyone who was involved with the programming over the years."
Quick Facts
- There are currently no staff members at the Western Branch, which means this closure will not impact any jobs.
- The AGNS Western Branch will not be reopening, AGNS says, to better align with the way this region accesses the provincial art collection and art programming with the rest of the province.
- The cost savings that come with moving away from a satellite branch will allow AGNS to enhance programming for all Nova Scotians, including those living in the western region.
- The AGNS says it can offer access to art and art programs to all regions of the province without the requirement of a satellite branch.
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