An art maze, drunk lampposts, a queer-run creative space, and other artsy experiences you can’t miss in Halifax
Nova Scotia might have a reputation for its lighthouses, fishing villages, friendly faces, and slow pace of life. While you can still find plenty of whimsical seaside charm in Nova Scotia, the province, and especially its capital city, Halifax, is alive with a youthful and cosmopolitan energy that rivals its big-city neighbours to the west.
That’s especially true when it comes to the art scene in Halifax; the city is an incubator for both up-and-coming artists and established creatives alike, with some of the oldest art galleries in the country in tandem with contemporary and buzz-worthy spaces to explore.
The best part about the art scene in Halifax? Most of the galleries, museums, and art festivals are free! The city aims to make art accessible to all, removing pretence and commercialization of the art scene.
The following galleries and festivals are some of the best Halifax has to offer—ranging from contemporary art installations to famous East Coast folk art—and most of which are totally free for art lovers to check out.
Dalhousie Art Gallery
Nova Scotia is home to ten universities—many of which have student-run art galleries that are open to the public. The Dalhousie Art Gallery is particularly worth the visit; it’s the oldest public art gallery in the province and boasts an impressive range of both contemporary and historical art exhibitions throughout the year as well as more than 1,300 pieces in its permanent collection.
Downtown Halifax self-guided art tour
If street art is more your thing, consider checking out the downtown Halifax self-guided art tour. The easily walkable map includes all the best and most significant pieces of public art in the city, including historical sculptures, contemporary murals, and unique installations like Chris Hanson and Hendrika Sonnenberg’s “drunken lampposts” and the infamous blue wave sculpture, designed by artist Donna Hiebert.
BernArt Maze
Located in Lunenburg—about an hour outside of Downtown Halifax—the BernArt Maze is a unique outdoor experience catering to lovers of strange and out-of-the-box art. The art walk is packed with mosaics, installations, and contemporary sculptures, all created by volunteers and artists from around the world.
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is a must-visit for art lovers spending time in Halifax. The downtown gallery spans over 6,000 square metres of exhibition space with the biggest draw being the collection of work from beloved Nova Scotia artist Maud Lewis. The late folk artist became somewhat of an icon in the province and the AGNS plays home not just to her work but also boasts a replica of her actual cottage where she spent most of her life painting. Note that the gallery is free every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Khyber Centre for the Arts
This queer-and artist-run art centre aims to “disrupt systemic causes of exclusion, tokenism, and power imbalances in the arts.” The Khyber offers a safe and inspiring place for artists of all walks of life to dive into artistic experimentation while providing the public with a different take on what visual art exhibitions can look like, including a series of residencies with local and international artists, and the Khyber Window, a storefront exhibition space visible from the street 24 hours a day.
Anna Leonowens Art Gallery
The Anna Leonowens Art Gallery is a stunning public exhibition space within NSCAD University—the first degree-granting art school in Canada. Combining both exhibitions by established artists and students, this gallery dates back to 1968 and has hosted more than 4,000 exhibitions since opening its doors. The Anna is a great way to get a glimpse into what up-and-coming student artists are up to and with exhibitions changing weekly, there’s always something new to see.
The Blue Building Gallery
Led by local artist Emily Falencki, the Blue Building Gallery focuses on contemporary art from both local artists and international artists with strong ties to Atlantic Canada. Falencki aims to provide affordable studio spaces for up-and-coming artists with shows ranging from group exhibitions to solo shows.
Nocturne Festival
Nocturne Art at Night Society is the Halifax take on Toronto's “Nuit Blanche.” The nighttime art event takes place over two to three days in the month of October, allowing the public to appreciate new and unique art exhibitions, performances, and workshops all over the city. This year, the festival takes place from October 16 to October 18, and every event throughout the two-day celebration is completely free of charge.
