Perkins House.

Last week, the province’s heritage department announced that it plans to close the Perkins House Museum, in addition to 11 other museums throughout the province

A statement by the Dept of Communities, Culture, Tourisms & Heritage said some of the material and objects currently housed at the museum will be shuffled to other locations in the province-wide system, while others “may” be transferred to “other institutions” or “community organizations.” The statement did not say ‘what’ would go ‘where’ or provide a timeline for what it calls the “de-accessing” of material.

The government’s “Collection Management Policy” govern its museums. It includes a section outlining criteria for the saving of material and objects and provides guidelines on how they are to be handled. That policy can be accessed at https://museum.novascotia.ca/collections-research/policies/collection-management-policy. The section that controls access and the end-of-access to material begins on page 20 of that policy.

While general sweeping budgets cuts were announced, the impact on precise sites of arts, culture and heritage were not spelled out in detail. There are currently 28 museum sites in Nova Scotia.

Queens resident Mary Dahr shared her concern about the provincial debt and “such drastic cutbacks to everything in Nova Scotia.” Dahr added, “One of my major concerns is the Perkins House. For me, the Perkins House is a magical place, it’s something that we in Liverpool have always been really proud of…it’s almost like taking the lighthouse down at Peggy’s Cove – it’s that important…

“…and after they spent two million dollars fixing that house and then to turn around five years later and close it down!”

Local resident André Haines, speaking of the broader funding cuts, spoke of the importance of arts, culture and heritage in drawing visitors and as part of life in Nova Scotia. “We know that arts and culture and heritage have been the cornerstones of modern living throughout history.”

Queens MLA Kim Masland announced funding for six groups in Queens County on Thursday. (Rick Conrad / File photo)

Businesses and community groups in Queens County will get almost $80,000 in provincial funding.

Queens MLA Kim Masland announced the funding on Thursday from the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage for six different organizations.

The funding ranges from $25,834 to Rosefinch Mercantile in Port Medway for an accessible path and wheelchair lift to $4,250 to Mersey River Chalets in Caledonia for upgrades to the roll-in shower.

“These investments are making Queens a more accessible and vibrant place to connect,” Queens MLA Kim Masland said in a news release.

“By investing in restorations and accessibility infrastructure, we’re ensuring our community spaces are inclusive and full of life, bringing people together across our region.”

The projects are supported by a series of programs from the department, which provide grants to improve accessibility, upgrade community infrastructure and promote recreation.

Here’s how the $78,624 in funding was divided among the groups:

• Rosefinch Creative Inc., Port Medway: $25,834 for an accessible path and wheelchair lift.
• Region of Queens Municipality: $25,000 for accessible railings and upgrades to the compressor panel and sound system at Queens Place Emera Centre.
• Little Red South West School House Society, South West Port Mouton: $12,540 for the restoration of the historic schoolhouse.
• Pleasant River Community Hall Society: $6,000 for heat pumps, the stage, and replacing a ramp.
• North Queens Board of Trade, Caledonia: $5,000 for a new entry to Caledonia Park.
• Mersey River Chalets, Caledonia: $4,250 for upgrades to the roll-in shower.

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com

The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage has developed an online tool to help non-profits, businesses and others find more information about grants. (Tourism Nova Scotia / Acorn Art & Photography)

The Nova Scotia government is launching a new online grant finder tool to help make it easier for non-profits, businesses and others to find government funding.

The new tool will help Nova Scotians apply for provincial grants supporting arts, culture, tourism, sport, recreation, cultural identity and languages through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.

“Nova Scotians have told us that navigating the large number of grant programs can be challenging, particularly for organizations with volunteers working in their spare time,” Allan MacMaster, minister of communities, culture, tourism and heritage, said in a news release. 

“This one-stop entry will help people quickly match their needs with the programs that we have available.”

Applicants can search for funding programs here: https://beta.novascotia.ca/find-grants-offered-through-department-communities-culture-tourism-and-heritage

The province gave about 2,600 grants to hundreds of communities, groups and organizations for arts, culture and recreation initiatives in the past year.