2 CUTS ARE ON THE TABLE – let’s wipe them off!
NOVA SCOTIA ARTS FUNDING RECOMMENDED CUTS
LETTER TEMPLATE
Letter template to email your MLA: www.nsarts.ca/email-your-mla.html
HALIFAX ARTS FUNDING PROPOSED CUTS
LETTER TEMPLATES
Click here for more municipal info from the Greater Halifax Arts Coalition.
GHAC letter template: greaterhalifaxartscoalition.org/template-letter
Below is a customizable tool that can also be used for anyone writing to the Mayor + their Councillor about the proposed 10% cut to Halifax’s Grants to Professional Arts Organizations Program. Adapt, edit, and make it yours!
This was created on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, and will be updated as needed <3
CONTACTS
Mayor Andy Fillmore: mayor@halifax.ca
Find your Councillor: www.halifax.ca/city-hall/districts-councillors/district-look
READY-TO-CUSTOMIZE LETTER TOOL
Dear Councillor ____________ (find your district councillor here) and Mayor Andy Fillmore,
My name is ____________(your name). I live in ____________(your district number, neighborhood, and/or connection to HRM if you live outside). I’m writing to express my concern about the proposed 10% cut to the Halifax Grants to Professional Arts Organizations Program as part of the current 2026-27 municipal budget process.
I understand that this cut is not currently included in the published draft budget. However, staff have been asked by council to model a 10% reduction, and I am aware that a Briefing Note outlining this scenario will come forward on February 18, at which point the cut could be added to the Budget Adjustment List. Because of this, I want to express my concerns before decisions are made at that meeting.
I am…
( feel free to choose from the prompts below)
Support for the arts is crucial to me because…
( feel free to choose from the prompts below)
I’m asking you to protect Halifax’s Grants to Professional Arts Organizations Program from any cuts in the upcoming budget.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
____________(your name)
CUSTOMIZATION
WHO ARE YOU?
- An artist / photographer / craftsperson / musician / filmmaker / writer +
- A cultural worker / administrator / technician / instructor / facilitator +
- Someone who attends galleries, concerts, festivals, and arts programming.
- Someone who benefits from, or supports, free or low-barrier arts access.
- A member of a collective, community, or not-for-profit organization.
- I’m a Halifax resident who values artistic and/or cultural expression.
SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS IS CRUCIAL TO ME BECAUSE:
- I need to have spaces and funding to create and present my work.
- It is essential to my livelihood and purpose.
- Art spaces build connections with other artists and with the broader community.
- My wellbeing, mental health, social life, community, and/or experiences of belonging are supported through the arts.
- It gives me access to new ideas and perspectives that help in my work and/or quality of life.
- It makes Halifax more welcoming and interesting.
- It helps build belonging and reduce isolation.
- It creates more public space, often free to attend, outside of commercial venues and businesses.
- Affordable spaces and art venues are disappearing and municipal support helps keep them alive.