District 8 - Candidates

Candidates for Councillor in District 8

Trayvone Clayton​

Did not fill in survey

Evyeneia Dexter

From early childhood art has moved me through music , creating projects in school. Going to theatre and art galleries with my mother from a young age instilled an appreciation for other art makers as well my own art as well. I benefitted by living in a large city that gave me access to all forms of art and inspired to go to Sheridan College where I studied film photography. As an artist myself I am and have been through my life and career a supporter of the arts.

David Fright​

Did not fill in survey

Jon Frost

I paint and sketch as a hobby. I have always loved art, and although a sports nut, took Art instead of gym back in High School! Of course way back then it was just cave drawings. I am always amazed at the talent of our local artists, especially since I am able to appreciate the difficulty. There have been many times a piece of art moved me or made me think, but one stands out. When I was young I worked overnight security at NASCAD for a summer. My walkthroughs were amazing. One room appeared to be a shared studio for a couple painters. One of the painters had a series of paintings, big ones, 4x4 canvases at least. Each was a scene, a room, a streetscape or park. All had people of different sorts. In each was a man, a silhouette of a man, sitting with his elbow on one knee and his head tilted in the direction of the activity. There must have been 6 or 8 paintings that I saw. I would stop to look at these during each and every walk through. I was drawn to them, and I still wonder who the silhouette was, and who he was to the artist.

Virginia Hinch

Did not fill in survey
​

Stephen MacKay​

Every time that I play music with my family I find joy. Sitting down at my great-uncle's camp or around my father's fire pit; strumming a guitar or clacking some spoons together; pulling an old cowboy song back into this world; hearing generations of my family sing "you're so fuckin' special" when Radiohead gets into the mix.

Anika Riopel

In 2008, I saw Un Peu De Tendresse Bordel De Merde! By Maison de la danse. I was 18, and I was struggling; I was half way through my first year in George Brown's theatre program - and failing at the thing I loved most. On a whim I went to see this show by myself. This beautiful dance piece explores the messy post break-up human experience - it was raw and funny and it me made feel less alone. It help me see that it's okay to fail, even if you look stupid. And that it's worth pursuing things you love even if they don't work out. That show has stayed with me for 15 years - there have been many, many other pieces of art that have moved me - but that one caught me a really vulnerable moment and held me.

Scroll down for the detailed feedback from the candidate:

GHAC has four specific goals we're asking candidates to engage with.
Goal One: Become a leader in funding arts and culture activities.  Will you commit to:
1. Increasing HRM arts and culture program funding until it meets and exceeds the median per capita spending on art and culture of other major Canadian cities, with a goal of consistently ranking in the top 25% for arts and culture funding within the next 4 years?
2. Indexing HRM arts and culture funding to inflation to avoid real value erosion of funding envelopes?
3. Structuring HRM arts and culture funding programs to ensure equitable and meaningful investments in underrepresented communities and new voices?
4. Initiating a new HRM peer-reviewed funding program for grants to professional artist individuals and small groups targeted towards creation, presentation and professional development?
5. Initiating a new HRM program to fund artistic residencies promoting artistic research, creation and community engagement within HRM departments (example: Halifax Public Gardens artist-in-residence)?

Treyvone Clayton

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered
4. Unanswered
​5. Unanswered

Evyeneia Dexter

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. I would support an initiative like this, (such as an Arts Council) I would like to work collaboratively with other members of council.
5. See my answer above

David Fright

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered
4. Unanswered
​5. Unanswered

Jon Frost

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes
​5. 95% yes, but would like to hear more about it.

Virginia Hinch

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered
4. Unanswered
5. Unanswered

Stephen MacKay

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes
​5. Yes

Anika Riopel

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes
​5. Yes

Goal Two:  Increase supply of varied, accessible artistic venues and cultural production facilities.  Will you commit to:
1. Addressing gaps identified in HRM Performing & Visual Arts Venues Study (2024) and Discover Halifax Venues Inventory and Assessment (forthcoming)?
2. Providing major capital grants to arts and culture organizations building or renovating venues for the production or presentation of arts and culture?
3. Providing capital improvement grants to arts and culture organizations who own or rent premises?
4. Increasing grant funding available to non-profit arts and culture organizations that rent space to offset the steep rise in rental costs?

Treyvone Clayton

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered
4. Unanswered

Evyeneia Dexter

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes

David Fright

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered
4. Unanswered

Jon Frost

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes

Virginia Hinch

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered
4. Unanswered

Stephen MacKay

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes Yes Yes!
4. Yes

Anika Riopel

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes

Goal Three:  Equitable access to diverse arts learning opportunities for all citizens, in and out of schools.  Will you commit to:
1. Piloting a collaborative delivery model between HRM Parks & Recreation and local professional arts and culture organizations to increase arts and culture program offerings
2. Prioritizing arts education in schools by ensuring funds continue to be allocated through a Supplementary Education Funding Agreement between HRM and Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) and that such funds stay dedicated to arts education?
3. Increasing public event venue-use at Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) facilities for arts and culture programming by targeting staffing, funding and maintenance of such venues?

Treyvone Clayton

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered

Evyeneia Dexter

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes

David Fright

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered

Jon Frost

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes

Virginia Hinch

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered

Stephen MacKay

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes

Anika Riopel

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes

Goal Four:  An HRM where everyone can participate in thriving arts and culture activities.  Will you commit to:
1. Offering free public transit for major arts and cultural events, building off successful piloted efforts such as free transit for the first weekend in December, and chartered Halifax Transit buses for Nocturne and Juno Awards events?
2. Funding arts and culture organizations to improve financial accessibility of arts and culture experiences by reducing or eliminating admission fees for arts and culture events, programs, and activities?
3. Retaining and growing the creative and artistic workforce in HRM by developing affordable housing and live/work spaces for artists, and creating a Housing Task Force that includes artists, arts organizations, planners, and developers to define needs and propose viable economic models?

Treyvone Clayton

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered

Evyeneia Dexter

1. Yes
2. Yes, specifically for lower income earners and students.
3. Yes

David Fright

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered

Jon Frost

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes

Virginia Hinch

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered

Stephen MacKay

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes

Anika Riopel

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes

How else do you commit to supporting and strengthening the arts and culture sector in Halifax, and improving the lives of the thousands of citizens who are arts and culture workers?

Treyvone Clayton

Did not fill in survey

Evyeneia Dexter

Ensuring that the existing funding remains and improves. Coupled with increasing affordable housing , creating safe and livable communities and improving transit and active transportation.

David Fright

Did not fill in survey

Jon Frost

You guys covered it well! Education and visibility are important. To many people feel Art & Culture is a luxury, and needs to be cut in hard times. Teaching kids how to express themselves through the Arts will help to have a healthier and more understanding society. Encouraging and allowing more people to be moved by a performance or exhibit will do the same. Profit is not just money.

Virginia Hinch

Did not fill in survey

Stephen MacKay

I will promote more street painting projects. I will ask that all of the concrete tactical traffic calming elements deployed in the city are painted by artists.

Anika Riopel

Having worked in the local arts scene for 5 years with Zuppa theatre, as an administrator, producer and occasional actor - I have had the opportunity to connect with artists and arts organizations across the arts spectrum! I know first hand how much value these organizations stretch from every dollar invested into them. The arts are what hold us together in tough times and help us grow and learn in an increasingly complex world. I also know that without investing in emerging, exploratory and experimental art, we won't have a vibrant film, music or entertainment industry! We should value arts and culture at every stage. I think that the 4 goals outlined are robust and will go a long way to helping support and foster our remarkably talented community! I will also commit to continuing to go out to see and share arts and culture events as a councillor and sponsor events!

If there's anything else you'd like to tell us about your vision for arts and culture in Halifax, please use the space below.

Treyvone Clayton

Did not fill in survey

Evyeneia Dexter

N/A

David Fright

Did not fill in survey

Jon Frost

All of these things will be hard to accomplish with budget constraints, but with stakeholder meetings we can prioritize and keep moving forward.

Virginia Hinch

Did not fill in survey

Stephen MacKay

I'd like to see more free concert series across the city.

Anika Riopel

The North End has a vibrant community but many arts orgs have or are trying to purchase their buildings to avoid being renovated (Bus Stop, Wonderneath, and now Radstorm) We've been losing affordable arts space and the solution can't be to fundraise and by the buildings! We need to ensure that part of the affordability and housing conversations also include keeping commercial and industrial spaces affordable for arts, culture, community services and emerging entrepreneurs and start-ups.