ArtsLink NB

06/03/2026

Our executive director, Julie Whitenect, was invited to Fredericton today for an announcement about the arts, along with other arts leaders in our province, without knowing what that announcement would be. (You can spot her in this photograph to the left on the stairs)

She was pleasantly surprised to learn that there will be a "$1.5-million government investment ... meant to support the operations of arts organizations and reaffirm the role of arts and culture as an economic driver in New Brunswick."

Also from the press release today: "The funding will be allocated to the Operational Support Program, which replaces the former core funding model and whose administration was transferred in March to the New Brunswick Arts Board, also known as artsnb. The program provides arts organizations with stable funding over three years. With this investment, the operational support funding is increased to $3.29 million per year."

You can read it in full here:

https://www.gnb.ca/en/news/n-b.2026.06.government-investing-15-million-arts-sector.html

We are celebrating this news today, and we will be watching closely for details of it implementation.

We are helping to strengthen the arts and culture sector in our province with operational support to organizations.

This funding will help stabilize arts organizations across New Brunswick, reinforce the important role the sector plays as an economic and cultural driver for our province, and support the artists and cultural experiences that help build vibrant communities across New Brunswick.

06/02/2026

🙌 Join us in welcoming Faith Daramola to our team!

Faith joins us through the Canada Summer jobs program, and will be working as a Programming Intern alongside Jericho Knopp (Programming Director), Sabarah Pilon and Penny Stevens (Programming Coordinators), and Joseph Webster (Programming Intern).

As Faith introduces herself:

"My name is Faith Daramola, and I’m an engineering student at Dalhousie University with a strong passion for writing, animation, and musical theatre. I’m from the Saint John area, and I’m excited to work with the New Brunswick arts community and bring my engineering skills into a creative space."

Welcome, Faith!

06/01/2026

📸 Need a headshot? Photos of your artwork? A band photo?

We’ll have the equipment set up - just show up and shoot. Time slots are 30 minutes each and by appointment. A staff member will be on site to provide access and help if needed.

💁🏽 Please note: this is a self-documentation day and a professional photographer will not be present.

🔗 Go here for full details and to register:
https://www.artslinknb.com/documentation-days/

📍 Location:
ArtsLink NB Office
94 Prince William St., Suite 303
Saint John, NB

🗓️ Monday, June 22
🕕 6pm - 8pm

🗓️ Monday, July 27
🕕 6pm - 8pm

🗓️ Monday, August 17
🕕 6pm - 8pm

05/30/2026

Do you make art objects, installations, or stage gallery interventions?

We want to hear from you!

This open Town Hall event is for visual artists, and all those who exhibit (or wish to work) within a gallery context: including multi/interdisciplinary.

🗓️ Thursday, June 18th
🕛 12pm – 1pm | 👩🏿‍💻 Online

Throughout 2026, we’re inviting members to meet one another, participate in dialogue about the state of the arts sector, ask questions, and share ideas and resources.

Moderated by our Associate Director Amy Ash, each event will centre voices from different areas of the provincial arts ecosystem – we want to hear from and connect with everyone. These conversations will help to shape ArtsLink’s priorities and direction, and notes will be shared with members.

📧 ➡ 🔗 If you wish to join any of the Town Halls, please RSVP by emailing amy [at] artslinknb [dot] com with “Town Hall June 2026” in the subject line by the 11:59pm the Tuesday in advance of the date, in order to receive the appropriate link on Thursday morning.

🔗 Full details are here: https://www.artslinknb.com/town-halls/

05/29/2026

💁🏽‍♂️ℹ️ Professional Artist Accreditation is now open, and if you have questions about what that means or about how/whether to apply, be sure our next online info sessions with ArtsLink NB Associate Director Amy Ash.

Info Session 2 will be held:

🗓️ Wednesday, June 3rd
🕕 6 pm – 7 pm
👨‍💻 Online

🔗 RSVP for the info session to receive the link:
https://www.artslinknb.com/advocacy-policy/professional-artist-accreditation/

⏳ Deadline to apply:
🗓️ Wednesday, June 10th, 11:59pm

✳️ You do not have to be a member of ArtsLink NB to become accredited!

Mawi'Art
Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du N-B aaapnb
artsnb
Arts Culture NB
Government of New Brunswick

05/28/2026

Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts, has written an open letter to the arts community in Canada.

What do you think?

The Choices Shaping the Future of Canada’s Arts Ecosystem

At a pivotal moment for the arts, read an open letter from Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts.

“The arts affirm Canada’s distinct voices and the right to tell our own stories, on our own terms, here at home and in the world.”

In her message to the community, she reflects on the decisions shaping the sector, the importance of supporting a strong foundation for the arts and the need to ensure that artists’ work reaches people across the country and around the world.

“The truth is simple: for the arts to do more for Canada, Canada must invest more in the arts.”

Read the new letter to the arts community by Director and CEO Michelle Chawla: https://canadacouncil.ca/spotlight/2026/05/choices-shaping-the-future


_____

Les choix qui façonnent l’avenir de l’écosystème artistique du Canada

Lisez une lettre ouverte de Michelle Chawla, directrice et chef de la direction du Conseil des arts du Canada, écrite à un moment déterminant pour les arts.

« Les arts affirment les voix distinctes du Canada et le droit de raconter nos propres histoires, à notre façon, ici, chez nous, et dans le monde. »

Dans son message à la communauté, elle réfléchit sur les décisions qui façonnent le secteur, l’importance de soutenir une base solide pour les arts et la nécessité de veiller à que des personnes partout au pays et dans le monde découvrent le travail des artistes.

« La vérité est simple : pour que les arts apportent davantage au Canada, le Canada doit investir davantage dans les arts. »

Lisez la nouvelle lettre à la communauté artistique de Michelle Chawla, directrice et chef de la direction : https://conseildesarts.ca/pleins-feux/2026/05/choix-qui-faconnent-l-avenir

05/27/2026

Our Associate director Amy Ash spoke with Iona Coe of Local 107.3FM this week about Professional Artist Accreditation.

Tune in on Friday as the piece goes to air:

🗓️ Friday, May 29th
between 🕐 1pm & 2pm

🔗 Find this story at the link in our bio.
🔗 Find out more about Professional Artist Accreditation here:
https://www.artslinknb.com/advocacy-policy/professional-artist-accreditation/

Local 107.3fm

05/26/2026

ArtsLink NB board member and artist Emilie Grace Lavoie appeared on Radio-Canada show La matinale with Martine Blanchard this week to talk about Professional Artist Accreditation.

You can check out the interview (in French) by going to our LinkTree, where you can also find a link to become an accredited professional artist:

https://linktr.ee/artslinknb

05/26/2026

❤️ So much talent here in the NB scene. (And there's ArtsLink's own Penny Stevens!)