The province of Nova Scotia invites international architectural teams to participate in a design competition for a new art gallery on the Halifax Waterfront.
“We are embarking on an exciting phase of the project to build Nova Scotia’s new waterfront art gallery and public space,” said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister, Leo Glavine. “Our commitment speaks to the important contributions the arts make to our communities and to our economy.”
In April 2019, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $30 million in the new Art Gallery of Nova Scotia project through the New Building Canada Fund—Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component, National and Regional Projects. The Province of Nova Scotia has additionally committed $70 million towards this project.
“We are seeking an exceptional team of architects and designers to realize the ambitions of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and the dream of creating an inclusive world class centre for art, here in Nova Scotia. A design competition is the best way to capture a global perspective on how a gallery can best serve a community, while ensuring that architecture helps achieve our vision of being an inclusive public gathering place that connects all people with art,” said Nancy Noble, director and CEO, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
The design competition is expected to last six months and will take place in two stages. Stage one is a call for qualifications and interviews with the top qualified candidates, and stage two is the formal design competition where short-listed firms will create conceptual designs for the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and surrounding public space.
In summer 2020, during the final stage of the competition, the field will be narrowed to three design teams before a qualified jury selects the winning team.
The conceptual designs of all finalists will be on public display for feedback, which will be provided to the winning design team.
“Maintaining a vibrant arts scene is integral to the vitality of this province and to the wellbeing of those who live here. The new Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and arts district will enliven creativity throughout the cultural sector, encourage economic growth and offer the opportunity to Nova Scotians and its visitors to experience a rich, ever-expanding tapestry of storytelling, talent and meaning,” said Trevor Murphy, chair, Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council.
For more information, visit: artgalleryofnovascotia.ca/artsdistrict