Nocturne at Night
Halifax
comes to life this evening, as artists and art lovers gather for an evening of
creative ecstasy. Recently we spoke with Nocturne;
Art at Night general manager Lorraine Plourde about this year’s event.
When and why did you get
involved with Nocturne?
LP:
I got
involved with Nocturne in February 2012. I am passionate about festivals
and fine art: Nocturne was the right mix of both.
What are your roles and
responsibilities there?
 |
| Lorraine Plourde |
LP:
As the
Chairperson of an organization without employees, I act as a general manager.
We are a board of 11 volunteers working year round to put the festival
together. I am also the spokesperson for the festival.
What are the challenges
of the gig?
LP:
The challenges
are to find time to do this as volunteers and to rely on other dedicated people
like me to make it happen. Funding is also a challenge: to find the right partners
is not simple, but we have been very fortunate to receive such great support so
far.
What are the rewards?
LP:
The
reward, to me, is the magic that comes alive during the festival. It's
also the great friendships and relationships that come out of working with
great people on the Board and in partnering organizations.
What is the event's core
mandate?
LP:
Our
mandate: The Nocturne: Art at Night Society facilitates meaningful art
experiences that highlight the arts community in HRM and that engage audiences
with contemporary art in the public realm. By supporting and promoting artists,
galleries, and arts organizations, we aim to enrich the cultural, social, and
economic vitality of our community by transforming art's place in the
city. The Society’s primary focus is the production of the annual free
arts event, Nocturne: Art at Night, which takes place on a single night
in October.
Why is it an important
event for the community here?
LP:
The
event celebrates the creative work done by local artists, highlights the
great features of the city, and it puts Halifax on the map of important
cultural destinations in the country and the world. It is a time to
share and celebrate. It's free and accessible for all.
What can audiences
expect this year?
LP:
Audiences
can expect more than 80 art experiences from Anchor projects, to independent
projects, including galleries and community groups. Working with Eleanor King,
our first curator, will create a more cohesive and dense event. Look out
for time and space when walking around. We expanded the programming in
Dartmouth.
We
kept programming on the ferry - great shows for the price of a transit ticket
:)
There
is a free Metro Transit Shuttle going around the site. It is wheelchair
accessible.
What does the future
look like for Nocturne?
LP:
The
future for Nocturne is looking good. We are looking to continue to build
upon community support, creating new engagement opportunities and celebrating
the arts.
