Nova Scotia Talent Trust

The Nova Scotia Talent Trust believes in the creativity of Nova Scotians.

The Talent Trust is a registered charity that provides scholarships to Nova Scotians who demonstrate exceptional potential and commitment to become established artists in their chosen fields.

Our annual scholarships include theatre, film/new media, literary arts, dance, music, voice, circus arts, visual arts, and design.

Scholarship Eligibility

• The Nova Scotia Talent Trust Scholarship program funds pre-professional artists. A pre-professional artist is one who is not yet established as a professional artist in his or her discipline and is enrolled in a study program privately or at an institution. Our program is intended for applicants whose primary goal is to become a professional artist.
• An eligible applicant is anyone who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has lived in Nova Scotia for at least one year prior to the date of application, including any Nova Scotian who is currently studying outside the province. This means that a potential applicant (or their parents) must file their income taxes in the province of Nova Scotia.
• Generally, applicants whose studies proceed without interruption from secondary to post-secondary levels, including graduate studies, are eligible.
• Individuals who are already established in professional careers in areas outside of the arts who wish to embark upon a professional career in the arts, or those who have established careers in one artistic discipline and wish to move to another (e.g. transition from visual arts to literary arts) are also eligible to apply to the Nova Scotia Talent Trust, provided they can submit examples of their work demonstrating serious potential in their chosen discipline.
• Young Applicants: Unless they are enrolling in full-time professional training institutions, applicants who are not yet in high school will only be supported when they are undertaking programs outside their regular school instruction, such as summer instructional camps or private study.

What kind of study programs does the Talent Trust support?

• University arts programs
• College arts programs (like NSCC)
• Programs in film, dance, theatre, music, literary arts, visual arts, or circus arts offered by private institutions
• Private studies with one teacher
• Summer classes in the arts
• Summer festival study opportunities
• Mentorships
• Artist residencies
• If you’re considering a study program not on this list, please let us know so we can assess its eligibility.  (We don’t fund the Verbier Music Festival Orchestra summer placement because it is free.)