PAINTS (Professional Artists In The Schools) is a program that helps schools in Nova Scotia bring professional visual artists into their classrooms. There are more than 80 artists that are part of PAINTS living and working in every part of NS. Projects can range from 3 to 12 hours, and can involve artists working in every imaginable discipline.

PAINTS projects make links between the professional artists’ own work and the workshops that they lead with the students. We’re really interested in providing the richest experience possible through these relatively small programs. A project can be with one class, or a small group of students, and the brief application is filled out online. We have a roster of over 20 workshops available for schools to book.

PAINTS is a matching funds program. Artist are paid $80/hour for their contact time with students. PAINTS also provides support for the materials, and travel of the artists when necessary. The school is responsible for half of the artist’s fee, or $40 per hour. That means that you could have a professional artist lead a 3-hour workshop with your class with materials included, for a cost to your school of $120.

Questions? Call or email PAINTS Co-ordinator Andrea Ritchie at 902-423-4694 or paints@visualarts.ns.ca.