Visual Arts Nova Scotia (VANS) is managed by an elected volunteer Board of Directors who come from all regions of the province. Most Directors are also working artists.
The Visual Arts Nova Scotia (VANS) Board of Directors is comprised of VANS members who are officially elected by the membership at the organizations Annual General Meeting to serve a minimum of 1-term (2-years) to a maximum of 2-terms (4-years).
The VANS Board of Directors believe in the importance and value of VANS to the community and are able to endorse the mandate and objectives of VANS without reservation. Acknowledging their legal and fiscal responsibility to VANS, the board of directors are familiar with the organizations by-laws and policies, and prepare and meet for quarterly board meetings.
Alongside their roles and responsibility as a VANS Board of Director, regional representatives represent VANS in their designated regions, promoting the organizations mandate and activities, providing regional reports at quarterly board meetings, liaising in their community and with the VANS regional membership, assisting VANS staff with the coordination of activities in their designated region, and optionally, organizing a regional activity once every two years.
The VANS office is staffed by an Executive Director, Programming Coordinator, and the PAINTS Coordinator.
Office Personnel
Crystal Melville - Executive Director
For issues concerning advocacy for the arts, the magazine, and fundraising, she can be e-mailed directly at director@visualarts.ns.ca
Becky Welter-Nolan – Programming Coordinator
For issues concerning your membership, exhibitions, workshops or joining VANS, she can be e-mailed at communicate@visualarts.ns.ca
Andrea Ritchie – PAINTS Coordinator
For information about how to become a PAINTS artist or about your PAINTS application e-mail her at paints@visualarts.ns.ca
2011-2012 Board of Directors
officers
Katie Belcher – President
Janet Larkman – Past President
Vacant – Vice-President
Susan Malmstrom – Secretary
Andrea Puszkar – Treasurer
regional representatives
Nadine Belliveau – La Baie Ste. Marie/ Yarmouth (region 1)
Vacant – Annapolis West (region 2a)
Vacant – Annapolis East (region 2b)
Sally Warren – South Shore (region 3)
Vacant – Halifax (region 4a)
Dawn Josey- Dartmouth, Bedford , Sackville (region 4b)
Judith Brannen – Eastern Shore (region 5)
Janice Guinan – Cumberland/Colchester & East Hants (region 6)
Eliza Fernbach – Guysborough, North Shore, Antigonish (region 7)
Onni Nordman – Cape Breton (region 
ex-officio
Charlotte Wilson-Hammond
Cultural Federation of Nova Scotia (CFNS) reprensentative
Bonnie Baker
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) representative
Allisha Morris
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University (NSCAD) student representative
opportunities
Alongside key personnel, VANS’ work is assisted by contract staff, committee members (exhibition, fundraising, outreach), and volunteers.
If you are interested in volunteering for VANS to fill a vacancy on the board of directors or as a committee member, please contact director@visualarts.ns.ca.
