TORONTO - Business for the Arts is stepping up operations in Halifax thanks in part to a partnership with East Coast Connected.

Based on the successful artsScene model launched in Toronto last year, artsScene Halifax will inspire greater interest in the arts amongst young professionals through "behind the scenes" encounters with artists, writers, directors and musicians, while offering opportunities to engage in the arts at a Board or committee level through BoardLink programming.

"In Toronto, artsScene has grown substantially in its first year of operations," said Nichole Anderson, Interim President of Business for the Arts. "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with ECC to replicate that success in Nova Scotia."

"We hope to see more cities join the artsScene network at Business for the Arts to expand opportunities for young business professionals to engage in the arts across Canada."

"I believe that artsScene Halifax will play a prominent role in Halifax's thriving arts community," said ECC President Chris Crowell. "The timing is perfect for an initiative like this."

In fact, with the upcoming launch of another young professional organization, Fusion Halifax, the environment into which artsScene Halifax is launching could not be better.

"A large part of what Fusion Halifax is all about is nurturing arts and creativity and making Halifax a better place for young professionals to live and work. A vibrant arts community engaged and supported by business is pivotal," said Jody MacArthur, Director of Events for Fusion Halifax. "ArtsScene East has a role to play in ensuring that vision becomes reality."

artsScene Halifax will hold its inaugural event at Gallery Page and Strange on Tuesday, November 20 at 6:00pm. Jeffrey Spalding, Chief Curator of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia will be on hand to officially launch the new group along with Chris Crowell, President of ECC and Nichole Anderson, Interim President of Business for the Arts.

All interested parties are welcomed. Please RSVP at artsScene@eastcoastconnected.ca.

For more information about artsScene, please visit www.businessforarts.org and click on artsScene.

Business for the Arts

Founded in 1974 by a group of leading business CEOs in Canada, Business for the Arts is Canada's national business association working to broaden and deepen relationships between business and the arts. Business for the Arts is committed to enhancing the quality of life in Canadian communities by facilitating funding partnerships through ArtsVest, opening up volunteer opportunities through BoardLink, providing current statistics on the Arts through our annual Surveys, increasing awareness of the Arts through advocacy work, engaging young business professionals in the Arts through artsScene, and rewarding outstanding business supporters of the Arts through our annual Awards.

Fusion Halifax

Fusion Halifax is a new organization for young professionals aged 20 to 40 to come together to influence the future of Greater Halifax: Inspiring Tomorrow Today. Fusion Halifax provides a common place where, as a generation, we can come together to meet, network and discuss issues that matter to our community.

For more information, please contact:

Chris Crowell, President, East Coast Connected
ccrowell@eastcoastconnected.ca


Sarah Mitchell, Communications Manager, Business for the Arts
s_mitchell@businessforarts.org