Hal-Con Sci-Fi and Fantasy Association is thrilled to announce it has received a grant from the Province of Nova Scotia which will contribute $240,000 to projects over the next three years.
The grant, generously awarded by the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage via its Cultural Innovation Fund, will help support the following projects and events:
Video Game Development Conference
Nova Scotia is home to over 30 studios that develop mobile, console, and virtual reality games which are enjoyed worldwide. Video games are no longer a niche interest—according to the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, 54% of Canadians play video games at least occasionally, and the video game development industry adds $3 billion annually to Canada’s GDP. These demographics, along with the meteoric rise of competitive eSports, mark video gaming as a growth industry to which Nova Scotia is a major contributor.
Hal-Con is proud to be working with the Mood Foundation, the organization behind the
Canadian Gaming Expo, to bring this exciting industry conference to Halifax. The conference is
the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada, and will offer multi-track programming, interactive showcases open to all Hal-Con attendees, and the opportunity for aspiring students and industry newcomers to connect with and learn from professionals in a Mentor Lounge.
Hal-Con Art Showcase
With support from the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the Hal-Con Sci-Fi Fantasy Association will solicit original works of art from all communities to display at the Halifax Central Library, The Dart Gallery in downtown Dartmouth, and at the annual Hal-Con convention. This project will highlight and promote local artistic talent in a variety of mediums.
Hal-Con Costuming Series
Hal-Con is a destination for cosplayers from across the world. Cosplay (short for “costume play”), is a form of performance art in which participants craft costumes and dress up as beloved characters from movies, television comics, books, anime, and more. Hal-Con is proud to offer a series of inclusive events for cosplayers of all experience levels.
The Halifax Costume Academy, in association with Hal-Con, runs a series of workshops designed to help beginner and intermediate level cosplayers learn techniques such as choosing foundational garments, styling wigs, applying special effects makeup, building props, and more.
This grant will also help fund a workshop series presented in partnership with the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, a Dartmouth-based organization which empowers youth by inspiring passion for creative arts. In this series, youth aged 12-19 will be able to learn costume and prop building techniques for cosplay.
Hal-Con Reading and Discussion Series
In partnership with the Halifax Central Library, the Hal-Con Sci-Fi and Fantasy Association will present a series of reading events designed to provide a space for local storytellers to share their work and expand their community. The reading events will be followed by a panel discussion and a networking event for readers and storytellers from all communities.
The Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage provides grants funding for organizations that promote the growth of Nova Scotian culture and heritage through the arts. These grants support artists, create jobs, drive economic growth and promote Nova Scotian tourism.
Says Hal-Con’s Executive Director Jennifer Lambe, “This marks the first time we’ve received a provincial grant, and we couldn’t be more delighted to have their support. With this funding, we will not only be able to bring new and exciting elements to our flagship event, but also expand our year-round programming with the kind of high-quality events our community deserves. We’re so pleased that Hal-Con can offer more and more to Nova Scotia each year.”
Hal-Con Sci-Fi and Fantasy Association’s annual science fiction, comics, and fantasy convention has attracted some of the biggest names in geekdom to Halifax, Nova Scotia every year since 2010. Hal-Con’s team—comprised mainly of volunteers—strives to facilitate inclusive events that positively impact the local culture and economy, and does extensive fundraising work for charities including the IWK and Kids Help Phone. Hal-Con 2018 will be held October 26th, 27th, and 28th in the Nova Centre.
For more information, visit http://hal-con.com/
Source: Media Release
