Staff and Board

Arts Nova Scotia is an agency of the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. The board oversees the budget and programs. The Director of Arts Nova Scotia reports to the board for operations and to the Executive Director of Culture and Heritage Development for human resource issues.

Staff

Arts Nova Scotia is managed by a professional staff who works closely with the administration team of the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage to deliver all programs and services.

Enrique Ferreol (he/him/they), Senior Program Officer

(902) 219-4669 | Enrique.Ferreol@novascotia.ca

Enrique Ferreol is the Program Officer responsible for the Grants to Individuals, Arts Equity Funding Initiative, and Mi’kmaq Arts programs. From 2010 to 2015, Enrique worked as the Arts Officer with the Nova Scotia Art Bank and from 2006 to 2010 as the Assistant Curator, Education at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Enrique completed a BFA in painting and drawing from “La Esmeralda”, the National School of Fine Arts in Mexico, where he is originally from, and also has worked professionally as an actor in theatre, cinema, and television in Mexico and Canada.

Contact regarding:

Lauren Williams (she/her) (on leave until July 2025), Senior Program Officer

(902) 471-5720 | Lauren.Williams@novascotia.ca

Lauren Williams (she/her) is a Program Officer at Arts Nova Scotia. She comes to arts funding by way of a BA in Contemporary Studies and English from University of King’s College and a Master of Museum Studies from University of Toronto. With experience working with collections at the Nova Scotia Art Bank, the Museum of Inuit Art, and the Ontario Science Centre, she believes that art and artifact can play a role in shaping our stories and helping us work towards an accessible and just future.

Briony Carros (she/her), Director

(902) 240-8278 | briony.carros@novascotia.ca

Briony made the leap into public service after a long-standing commitment to the non-profit arts and culture sector as Executive Director of Visual Arts Nova Scotia, President of the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia and service to many other Boards/committees. In each role, Briony worked in consultation with senior leaders and government officials at the municipal, provincial and federal levels to develop programs and policies. Briony received her BFA (1998) from NSCAD University and recently completed a Masters in Public Administration (2022) at Dalhousie University.

David Goudie standing in front of an abstract painting of a cabin. David is wearing a dark blue button up shirt with white polka dots.

David Goudie (he/him), Program Officer

(902) 497-8538 | david.goudie@novascotia.ca

David is an Inuk and mixed-settler from Goose Bay, Labrador. He holds a B. Music from Memorial University and an audio engineering diploma from OIART. As a composer, sound designer and educator, David spent much of his career working on film sets and in studios throughout Toronto. His work has been featured at TIFF and Cannes and includes film, television, video games, and VR/AR. Since moving to Nova Scotia in March 2020, he has worked as an NSCC faculty member and is excited to contribute to the Nova Scotia arts community as a Program Officer at Arts Nova Scotia.

Contact regarding:

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of Arts Nova Scotia oversees all aspects of the agency's programs and has responsibility for allocating the annual budget. The Board reports directly to the Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage through meetings and through the presentation of the annual report.

Email artsnsboard@novascotia.ca to direct inquiries and concerns.

Melissa Kearney, Sydney, Cape Breton

Melissa is the Programming Coordinator at Eltuek Arts Centre in Sydney, Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island). She received a BFA from NSCAD University in 2006 and remains a practicing artist.

Laura Teasdale, Antigonish, Antigonish Co.

Laura Teasdale’s first gig was singing Rhinestone Cowboy on a lumber pile at her dad’s sawmill when she was three. She’s been treading the boards ever since! She made her start with Theatre/Festival Antigonish then studied at Concordia in Montreal. She worked in Quebec for 27 years as a successful actor, musician, cartoon voice, playwright, director and clown before returning home in 2018 to be with her parents. Best move she ever made!

Trevor Gould, Paqtnkek Mi’kmaq Nation, Antigonish Co.

Trevor is from the Paqtnkek Mi’kmaq Nation. For over 30 years, he has been traditional singer and dancer as well as a theatre playright/performer. More recently, Trevor’s artistic practice has expanded to include filmmaking. He created/directed the award-winning short film, Apajasimik.

Melissa Labrador, Wildcat Community, Queens County

Melissa Labrador is a Mi'kmaq Artist and Apprentice Birch Bark Canoe builder from the Wildcat Community.

Ken Schwartz (Chair), Canning, Kings County

Ken Schwartz is the Artistic Director of Two Planks and a Passion Theatre and the co-founder of the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts.

Liliona Quarmyne, Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality

Liliona Quarmyne is a Ghanaian/Filipino choreographer, dance, actor and facilitator whose work draws from her eclectic background and explores the intersections of art and social justice.

Sarah OToole, Antigonish, Antigonish Co.

Sarah is a creative collaborator and community developer living in Antigonish with her spouse and three children. She works with community stakeholders to centre the role of artists and creative expression in community life.

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