District 3 - Candidates

Candidates for Councillor in District 3

Becky Kent

Did not fill in survey

Keith Morrison

I have been an active member of the Nova Scotia Theatre Community since 1991 and have sporadically worked and volunteered in the film industry since 2009. I am the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of The Bus Stop Theatre, a member of the board of directors for Villains Theatre and have served on boards or committees for Eastern Front Theatre, Theatre Nova Scotia, The Cape Breton Filmmakers Association and many event based and ad hoc groups. I recently appeared in a new work at the Halifax Fringe a couple of weeks ago. My life has been so profoundly affected by my participation in artistic pursuits that it is absolutely impossible to imagine where I'd be if I hadn't gone to that first 'theatre class.'

John Paul

One of the most moving experiences I had with art was during a community art festival where local artists showcased their work. I remember standing in front of a mural that depicted the history and diversity of our community. It was not just a beautiful piece; it told stories of resilience, connection, and creativity. This experience reminded me of the power of art to bring people together, spark conversations, and foster a sense of belonging. It reinforced my belief that supporting the arts is essential for nurturing our community’s spirit and identity. As a councillor, I aim to ensure that everyone has access to art and cultural experiences, enriching our lives and strengthening our community.

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)?

Becky Kent

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

Keith Morrison

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes
​5. Yes

John Paul

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?

Becky Kent

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

Keith Morrison

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes

John Paul

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?

Becky Kent

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered

Keith Morrison

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. I have always supported this and wished for more of it. There are definite barriers present when using schools as venues. I'd certainly try.

John Paul

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?

Becky Kent

1. Unanswered
2. Unanswered
3. Unanswered

Keith Morrison

1. Yes, with some limitations
2. Yes, with some limitations
3. Yes

John Paul

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?

Becky Kent

Did not fill in survey

Keith Morrison

I support assisting artists to do 'mini-tours' with their works across HRM facilities throughout the municipality. I support frequent collaboration and consultation with members of the arts community to address the changing needs of artists. I believe the municipality is an an excellent position to promote our artists with local profiles and spotlights. I very much would like to see more fine art education and practice offered though Halifax Parks and Recreation System with accessible delivery options (on-site at more centers or by virtual delivery.) I would very much like to see some of our larger parks be equipped with permanent or portable stages to allow for outdoor performance opportunities.

John Paul

To strengthen the arts and culture sector in Halifax and enhance the lives of the thousands of citizens working in this field, I will focus on several key actions. I will advocate for increased investment in arts venues, including building or upgrading spaces for live music, theatre, dance, and film, along with developing diverse gallery spaces that cater to contemporary and accessible art. Additionally, I will support the creation of multi-purpose venues, similar to Ottawa’s National Arts Centre, that combine performing arts with gallery spaces. Addressing gaps in arts infrastructure is a priority, which includes providing greater support for live music venues, investing in theatres and dance facilities with proper resources, and developing a venue for independent films. I will also push for a gallery that can accommodate a wide range of art, from contemporary to more accessible works, while advocating for improvements to the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Considering the locations and accessibility of venues is essential, and I will prioritize downtown spaces to encourage foot traffic and transit use, while also addressing parking concerns in suburban and rural areas. Finally, I will emphasize arts investments as a critical component of both economic growth and quality of life improvements. Through these efforts, HRM can significantly enrich its cultural offerings and ensure long-term community satisfaction and engagement.

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.

Becky Kent

Did not fill in survey

Keith Morrison

The arts are very often seriously undervalued and seen as an easy place to make cuts when times are lean. Comparatively speaking, the arts are typically inexpensive to fund and serve both practitioners and the community in more ways than can be measured. While I have an interest in all arts initiatives, I am particularly interested in accessibility, helping new artists and groups thrive and helpping independent / lower funded projects and artists get noticed and appreciated.

John Paul

N/A