The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia sits in Halifax, the provincial capital, and is the place to go for a broad look at the art of the province. Its collection brings together contemporary Canadian works, folk art and historical pieces, so a single visit can move from present-day practice back toward older work.
What you will see
- Contemporary Canadian art, shown alongside work from earlier periods
- Folk art, a strand of the collection that reflects everyday and community making
- Historical pieces, which place Nova Scotian art within its longer story
- Rotating exhibitions, so the displays change and a return visit can look different
The gallery describes its holdings as the largest collection of Nova Scotian art in the world. For anyone curious about the province's artists and the places they have painted and made, that focus is the main reason to visit.
Making a day of it
Halifax is a harbour city, and a gallery visit pairs well with time spent walking its waterfront and downtown streets. Because the exhibitions rotate, it is worth checking what is on before you go, especially if a particular theme or period is of interest to you.
Whether you come for the folk art, the contemporary Canadian work or the depth of the provincial collection, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia offers a focused and rewarding stop in the city.