The Association of Nova Scotia Museums (ANSM) is a registered non-profit organisation. Originally established in 1976 as the Federation of Museums, Heritage and Historical Societies, the name was changed to Federation of Nova Scotia Heritage in 1982. In 2007, to underscore the organisation’s refined focus on the province’s museum sector, the organisation assumed its current name – the Association of Nova Scotia Museums.
Working in partnership with museums, communities and supporters, ANSM’s mandate is to:
To nurture excellence in and champion on behalf of museums in Nova Scotia..
The following values underpin what ANSM does and how we work:
• Service – meet the needs of member museums so that together we can meet the needs of communities.
• Advocacy – act as a champion on behalf of and raise awareness about museums in Nova Scotia.
• Collaboration – engage in activities with local, provincial, national, and international partners that benefit our members and the museum sector.
• Inclusivity – recognize historical and systemic practices in museums, decolonize these practices, and work with museums and equity-deserving groups to find appropriate solutions.
• Sustainability – operate in environmentally responsible ways and work to ensure that ANSM and member museums have the resources they need to serve their communities.
The Association of Nova Scotia Museums is led by its Board of Directors. This governance body is comprised of members elected by the ANSM membership at the Annual General Meeting. The Board is accountable to the membership and is collectively responsible for the governance of the Association. It is responsible for shaping organisational policy and ensuring its implementation.
Staff implement the Association’s commitment to serve its members through training, outreach, and networking activities. They attend regional meetings, events, exhibitions and programs, meetings and planning sessions. They provide programs and services around the province including site visits, consultations and workshops.
ANSM Executive Director, Devin Casario, maintains an active role meeting with senior government staff regarding museum related issues on a regular basis. He and Board members meet with government leaders to address topics related to ANSM’s activities as well as those of its member organizations.
