Posted

Request for Proposals:

Artistic and Event Producer Team for Creative Nova Scotia Awards Celebration 

Deadline: April 21, 2025

 

Arts Nova Scotia is seeking proposals from an Artistic and Event Producer to coordinate the production of the 2025 Creative NS Awards Celebration (November 2025) programming and event delivery. The final concept and content of the event (including artists/performers) will be determined by the Artistic/Management Team in consultation with Arts Nova Scotia. 

About the Awards

Presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council, the Creative Nova Scotia Awards Celebration is an annual event that celebrates excellence in artistic achievement Awards include the Portia White Prize, the Prix Grand Pré, the Established Artist, Emerging Artist, the Black Artist Recognition and Indigenous Artist Recognition Awards and the Creative Community Impact Award are also honoured. Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000. 2025 marks the 20th Creative Nova Scotia Awards Night. It will feature an awards ceremony interspersed with live performances. The awards ceremony (pre-recorded and live elements) will provide an opportunity for the presentation of the province’s top arts and culture prizes.  A full list of the prizes and background on earlier events is available on the Arts Nova Scotia website.

The show typically runs 2 – 2.5 hours (including pre-show reception).

The Artistic and Event Producer is responsible for planning and carrying out all aspects of the awards ceremony and evening celebration with approval from Arts Nova Scotia.

Duties include:

  • Develop and execute artistic programming for the event. Select artists who are innovative, relevant, diverse and reflective of different artistic disciplines and regions.
  • Showcase award winners.
  • Event direction: Select a host/emcee(s), write event script, direct and coordinate all aspects of performances, awards presentation and other content.
  • Hire all support staff and contract services as necessary.
  • Set up and strike event (including décor)
  • Manage and pay out all expenses within a predefined budget.
  • Create an awards program (digital).
  • Create artist videos for the awards show and post-awards promotion
  • Develop a strategy for online/media promotion of the event
  • Develop an event and logistics plan
  • Develop an accessibility plan.
  • Secure event facility/location for the event (250-300 attendees)
  • Regular meetings with Arts NS staff

Project Scope

The Artistic/Event Producer will enter a short-term contract (approx. 6 months) with Arts NS.  The artistic director and management fees of the event will be a fixed sum. A production budget will be determined through formal approval of planned programming, technical and other cost categories. The total event costs (including management fees) are not to exceed $82,000.

How to Apply

Send your proposal to Briony Carros, Director, Art Nova Scotia, at Briony.Carros@novascotia.ca by 5PM AST on April 21, 2025. The application must include:

  1. Artistic Concept: Potential artists within the community you would engage for the event and a few brief sentences regarding the motivation behind those choices. The event itself regularly showcases 3 - 5 artists within a pre-show reception, 3 performances as part of the awards show and a host (or co-hosts) for the event. Artists of all different disciplines are meant to be highlighted (1 page)
  2. List of key team members and brief bios
  3. Description of previous producer and management experience (incl. scriptwriting, collaboration with artists, technical/stage management and budget management) with references.

Shortlisted teams will be invited for an interview to make final selection.

Once the producer team is selected, they will be asked to:

  1. Submit budget (using past templates)
  2. Submit an artistic program
  3. Develop a communication/marketing plan for both the event and awards

Other considerations

The Artistic and Event Producer team will be Nova Scotia-based.

The company/organization/individual(s) must have a registered HST number and have the capacity to manage budgets and pay invoices to vendors and contractors in a timely manner.

For questions please contact:  Briony Carros, Director of Arts Nova Scotia at briony.carros@novascotia.ca