Nova Scotia has a flourishing arts community encompassing writing, media, performing and visual arts. Many businesses are also engaged in the creation of cultural products for local, regional and worldwide markets, including design, film and video, production crafts, publishing, and sound recording.

Talented Nova Scotians and the products of their creative abilities have achieved considerable acclaim in far-flung parts of the world. Collectively they are also making a substantial contribution to the economic prosperity of Nova Scotia.

The direct and indirect impact of the culture sector in Nova Scotia was estimated at almost $1.2 Billion in 2001, or 3% of the province’s GDP. The sector employed 28,000 individuals directly and indirectly, representing 5% of the jobs in Nova Scotia. The impact of the cultural sector touches every region and community in the province.

Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia, is the leading cultural centre, with a major art gallery, theatre and symphony orchestra. The Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design maintains studios in jewellery, woodworking, weaving, and other arts. The city is also home to NSCAD University, one of Canada's leading art, craft and design colleges.

Nova Scotia has the fourth largest film industry in Canada, hosting over 100 productions annually, roughly half of which are the products of international film and television producers.

The priority markets for the province’s culture industry sectors are the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other regions of Canada.  New markets are emerging in the Netherlands, Belgium, Scandinavia, China and Australia.

Trade Team Nova Scotia Representative: the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage 

Industry Associations: the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation, Music Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council and the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design

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