A History of Halifax Regional Arts & the Supplementary Fund
For generations, students in the Halifax region have had access to rich arts experiences — from music and drama to visual arts and beyond. Many of these opportunities have been made possible through something called the Supplementary Fund.
What is the Supplementary Fund?
The Supplementary Fund was created in 1996, when local municipalities and school boards across the region came together to form what is now the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). This funding is designed to enhance learning opportunities for students beyond what core education funding provides.
Before amalgamation, some communities already supported additional school programs, while others did not. The Supplementary Fund brought these efforts together under one system.
Today, the Supplementary Fund continues to play an important role, supporting more than 200 staff positions, many of whom work directly with students to create meaningful opportunities for learning and connection. These programs offer free, accessible ways for students to explore their creativity, build confidence, and feel connected at school.
Over time, the Supplementary Fund has supported a wide range of programs and services that benefit students and families, including:
- Fine arts opportunities, such as All-City Music (band, choir, and strings), with roots going back more than 50 years
- Additional teachers to help reduce class sizes and expand programming in areas like music, French, visual arts, and physical education
- Student support services, including guidance counsellors, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and resource teachers
- Support staff, such as library specialists and program assistants
- Special initiatives, including early learning programs and enhanced classroom resources
More than 97 per cent of this funding supports salaries and benefits for staff who work directly with students, highlighting its impact in classrooms and school communities every day.
Today, many Halifax Regional Arts programs continue to grow from this long-standing investment in creativity and student voice.
In the early years, funding levels varied widely between former municipalities, making it challenging to provide equal access to programs across all communities. Over time, steps were taken to create a more equitable, region-wide approach, ensuring more students could benefit, no matter where they live.
Since the mid-2000s, agreements between HRM and the school system have focused on:
- Standardizing funding across the region
- Expanding access to arts programming
- Supporting students in communities with fewer resources
Conversations about the Supplementary Fund have continued, often centred on how funds are allocated, what qualifies as an “enhancement,” and how to ensure fair access for all students.
In recent years, the Supplementary Fund has helped expand Halifax Regional Arts programming in exciting ways, including:
- More regional arts specialists working directly with schools
- Expanded fine arts spaces, such as pottery studios and art labs
- Student-driven opportunities like drama, music, dance, and spoken word
- Programs that reflect and celebrate the diversity of our communities, including African Nova Scotian and Mi’kmaq perspectives
- Innovative supports, such as music therapy for students with special needs
Ongoing planning continues to focus on expanding access to fine arts programming across all communities in HRM.
To learn more about Halifax Regional Arts and Supplementary Funding, please review the following:
Annual Reports, Budgets and Community Reports