🗣️ STAND UP ARTS & CULTURE 🗣️

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As one of Nova Scotia’s oldest active artist-run centres, we must address the release of the 2026-27 provincial budget. FOR the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative (AFCOOP), this budget could result in a 20-30% cut to our overall operating budget inclusive of programs. These are the most severe cuts to the sector in decades, and will directly affect the day-to-day of the already underfunded arts and culture organizations struggling amidst inflated costs.  As Bus Stop Theatre wrote, this will “impact every child, student, individual, group and community that benefit, learn, gather and connect through them.”

Founded in 1974, the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative is a pillar to the film and media community in Halifax. The provincial government boasts its support for the film production industry in Nova Scotia, but neglects to understand that many of the skilled crew and creative voices have their start at Artist-run centres like AFCOOP, Khyber, the Centre for Art Tapes, & more – attending workshops, connecting with mentors and the larger membership – where they have found their voices and contributed to the culturally vibrant and economically abundant arts industry in the province.

Released in October 2025, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce reported that “Canada’s arts and culture sector contributed $65 billion in direct GDP to the Canadian economy in 2024, growing faster and supporting more jobs per dollar than other key sectors like oil and gas, manufacturing or agriculture.” As outlined in their report, the sector generates $29 for every dollar in federal investment, in addition to producing 5x more jobs per $1M output than the oil & gas sector. Cultural exports are at record highs and economic returns are outpacing traditional industries, so we ask the Nova Scotian government: why has a decision been made to cut funding to one of Canada’s largest and fastest growing industries during a deficit?

Many not-for-profit arts and culture organizations are already being choked out of a sustainable future on the Halifax peninsula with lack of affordable spaces and already highly competitive granting opportunities, resulting in chronic financial instability for artists and organizations. The province has seen its first decrease in population since 2020 (Statistics Canada), and one has to ask: who wants to live in a province that is reaching for the broom to sweep the arts & culture, education, public services, and heritage sectors of the map?

We implore the government to reconsider this budget for the logistic, economic, and cultural development and sustainability of this province. 

Thank you.

THE ATLANTIC FILMMAKERS COOPERATIVE LTD., C. 1974

WAYS THAT YOU CAN HELP

1. RALLY FOR THE ARTS
Join us for a rally at Province House in Halifax on Wednesday, March 4th at noon. Please bring as many people as you can and come join us! To raise our voices together and say that Arts and Culture are part of what will make Nova Scotia strong, economically, and in every other way. https://bit.ly/3MQRIvV

2. IMPACT SURVEY
We need information from you ASAP (today or tomorrow) in this short survey, so that we can outline the impacts these cuts will have in all ridings if they are not reversed: https://bit.ly/3MR5ajd

3. SOCIAL MEDIA
Please see our pool of social media graphics here, and post online right now to show your solidarity! From personal accounts and organization accounts. https://bit.ly/4aRxQk2

4. ADVOCATE TO YOUR MLA
We have tools ready for you and your allies in your community to use to contact your MLA and the premier here: http://www.nsarts.ca/