HRM Mayoral Candidates

Regrettably, a clerical error on our end prevented the survey from reaching the Mayoral Candidates. We have invited them to send us their position on supporting the arts in Halifax, and will publish to this page as we receive them. Additionally, you can read all candidate responses, including the mayoral candidates, here.

Bob Anders

Alex Andreas

Dave Boyd

As candidate Dave Boyd, I am deeply committed to fostering a vibrant arts and culture scene in Halifax. Here are the key points of my platform:

Support for Local Artists: I plan to increase funding and resources for local artists and cultural organizations. This includes grants, residencies, and public art projects that showcase the talent within our community.

Cultural Infrastructure: Investing in cultural infrastructure is crucial. I aim to develop and maintain spaces where artists can create, perform, and exhibit their work. This includes theaters, galleries, and community centers.

Arts Education: Promoting arts education in schools and community programs is a priority. I believe in nurturing creativity from a young age and providing opportunities for
all residents to engage with the arts.

Cultural Festivals and Events: Supporting and expanding cultural festivals and events will help celebrate our diverse heritage and attract tourism. These events not only enrich
our community but also boost the local economy.

Public Art Initiatives: I advocate for more public art installations throughout the city. These projects can enhance public spaces, foster community pride, and make art
accessible to everyone.

Collaboration with Indigenous Communities: I am committed to working closely with Indigenous communities to promote and preserve their cultural heritage. This includes
supporting Indigenous artists and integrating their perspectives into our cultural policies.

By prioritizing these initiatives, I aim to create a thriving arts and culture scene that reflects the diversity and creativity of Halifax. Let’s work together to make our city a cultural hub that inspires and connects us all.

Sean Dibbin

Ryan Dodge

Andy Fillmore

Greg Frampton

Andrew Goodsell

Andrew sent along this screen shot of his campaign material.

Nolan Greenough

Jim Hoskins

Darryl Johnson

Zoran Jokic

See Zoran's platform here, and read his responses to our survey here.

Pam Lovelace

“I've been very engaged with the arts community and met with members of GHAC. I worked for Nova Scotia Cultural Association, NSCAD, CBC Television producing ArtSpots, and I managed a 22-piece improvisational Jazz orchestra: Upstream. My life is steeped in the arts.

I agree that Arts and cultural expression is essential for a growing city. There are a lot of things not included in my platform, however, my values and principles highlight the roles of cultural industries. “
Read Pam's survey responses.

Waye Mason

Waye's platform includes support for GHAC's goals. Read Waye's survey responses.

Riley Murphy

Read Riley's survey responses.

Ross Rankin

Candidate Survey:

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)?

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?

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?

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?

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?