Connect, Collaborate, Create
It’s happening here.
Connect, Collaborate, Create
It’s happening here.
Creative Pictou County’s board and staff would like to sincerely thank our community for the outpouring of support. So many of you have reached out to ask how we are doing in light of the recent budget cuts. Please know how deeply grateful we are to be part of such a compassionate and engaged community.
Even before these cuts were announced, we had already begun important conversations with community partners, as well as local and provincial representatives, about the long-term financial sustainability of Creative Pictou County. These discussions reflect our ongoing commitment to building a resilient and thriving organization.
The past two years have been a period of remarkable growth. In 2024 and 2025, we welcomed our first Executive Director, moved into our new home at the deCoste Culture Hub, and launched a number of ambitious creative projects. With that growth came increased visibility, expanded programming, and – naturally – some growing pains as we adapted to a much larger scope of work.
While these challenges have tested us, they have also strengthened our vision. This momentum has allowed us to deepen our impact: between 2024 and 2025, we paid over $42,000 directly to artists, supporting them in their practice and creating meaningful opportunities to connect with the wider community.
We have also expanded our mandate to include Arts and Wellness, and we are actively exploring new educational programming to help artists develop their skills, sustain their careers, and participate more fully in the creative economy.
None of this would have been possible without the foundation built by those who came before us. Creative Pictou County exists today because of years of dedication, relationships, and countless volunteer hours contributed by past board members and community supporters. Since 2013, this organization has been shaped by people who believe in the power of creativity to bring communities together.
And it is because of that same belief that we will continue forward.
Many of you have asked how you can help. Your willingness to step up is both humbling and inspiring. Real change begins at the local level, and your support plays a vital role in sustaining organizations like Creative Pictou County.
Here are some ways to get involved:
- Join our fundraising committee
- Become a member of our Board of Directors
- Support our membership program by purchasing a membership for yourself or gifting one to someone else
- Join our waiting list to become a monthly Patron of the Arts when the program launches
- Connect us with businesses and organizations interested in supporting creative projects in our community
When a community comes together, it becomes a powerful force for change. Your voice matters. Your actions matter. And together, we can shape what comes next.
We invite you to join us as we step into the next chapter of Creative Pictou County – with hope, determination, and a shared commitment to the arts.
Welcome Artists, Creators, Makers, and Community
The Creative Pictou County art hub is a home to all things creative and expressive here in our neighbourhoods. We welcome all to join us in the appreciation and creation of art and community in our county. This hub can direct you to events, inspiration, and includes a directory of local talent for those looking to network or hire someone in the creative arts. Please join us in creating an open and supportive space for the arts in this county.
Creative Pictou County Timeline
November 2025
October 2025
September 2025
August 2025
July 2025
June 2025
May 2025
April 2025
March 2025
On March 22 we held our first Artistry in Action event at the Museum of Industry. What a success! We presented five local artists who worked on their art while the community asked them questions. We invited four local art collectives to share their programs and opportunities and local musician Pat Walsh played some amazing tunes in the background!
February 2025
January 2025
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
June 7 and 8 was the inaugural Economic Development Forum for Artists: Becoming an Art Town! Participants came from across the Maritimes and as far away as Alberta! After a Community Champions panel featuring those involved in the new deCoste Culture Hub, speaker Paul Portelli shared his knowledge of turning his small town into an art destination.
May 2024
For the 2024 Art at Night festival, we brought art and sustainability together! Participants decorated a popsicle stick that then went into an egg carton sell with some soil and coneflower seeds donated by Seafoam Lavender. Coneflowers are one of pollinators favorite flowers, ensuring they have enough food to help sustain themselves this spring and summer!
April 2024
March 2024
January 2024
November 2023
October 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
| AGM May 27 was sponsored by IGNITE. The full 2022 AGM report is available under About, Who We Are. 2023 marks our 10th year anniversary. Highlights were music, creative activities, social interaction, review of our accomplishments for 2022, and what to expect in 2023. The attendees were enthusiastic and we look forward to a productive 2023. |
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April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
Engaged with Strategic Arts Management to develop a multi-year business plan and fundraising program. Plans due to be complete in the fall of 2021. Creative Pictou County acknowledges the assistance of Strategic Arts Management, an agency supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and
May 2021
April 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
August 2020
June 2020
Creative Pictou County, along with Shelley Nordstrom, have nominated Dave Gunning for Arts Nova Scotia’s Portia White Prize. Dave is our unofficial ambassador, any time he travels he talks about home. He is a master craftsman, respected by his peers, and we are proud to have him as a member of our community.
The Portia White prize which recognizes cultural and artistic excellence on the part of a Nova Scotian artist who has attained professional status, mastery and recognition in their discipline.
March 2020
February 2020
November 2019
July 2019
February 2019
January 2019
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
May 2018
March 2018
February 2018
November 2017
October 2017
June 2017
Creative PC Official Launch. Meet & Greet with artists, musicians, writers, performers, as well as community leaders. Live music, refreshments, displays of local art, and painting of the Community Pianos. Launch of Creative PC website and presentation of Nova Scotia Culture Action Plan by Minister Tony Ince of the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.
October 2016
Participated in Artsfest workshop. Business / Arts’ national mentorship training program that works directly with small to mid-sized arts organizations, equipping them with training and resources to help build sustainable partnerships with businesses and increase capacity and investment in the arts.
May 2016
Developing website, branding and content.
April 2016
Developing committee terms of reference, identifying and organizing sub committees.
September 2015
June 2015
Hired first summer student
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
Shared Needs Assessment Results at the Dock during a Christmas Holiday Celebration. Four themes clearly emerged; (1) promote and celebrate existing artistic talent, creative products, opportunities and the crucial contributions of art and culture; (2) build networking, skill-sharing and connective activities, (3) provide business development skills and assistance, and (4) making better use of existing resources.
