Bringing culture, legacy, and community back to 1588 Barrington

Get to know the new Turret Art Space

Impact at Turret Arts Space

Art

Turret Arts Space provides an accessible cultural hub that attracts artists, youth, and visitors of all ages to Halifax.

  • Strengthen the Dynamism of Downtown

  • Contribute to Economic Growth

Mentorship

Turret Arts Space drives economic impact through the culture sector by building artists’ livelihoods.

  • Generate, Attract, Retain, and Develop Talent

  • Increase Exportability of Arts and Culture

Public

Turret Arts Space activates a Queer Heritage Site into the present and future by setting precedents for stewardship.

  • Stewardship of Queer Heritage

  • Build and Enhance Key Demand Generators

Each floor is purposefully designed to provide resources that support the entire lifecycle of an artist.

Floor 04

The newly added fourth floor will house Turret’s internationally recognized artist residency program. Features include: public access roof deck overlooking Barrington Street, multidisciplinary art studio, and residence apartment suite.

Floor 03

The third floor is headquarters for Leave Out Violence Nova Scotia, a non-profit organization working with youth who have experienced violence. Features include: youth common area, staff offices, and meeting room with recording studio capabilities.

Floor 02

The Khyber Centre for the Arts comes home to the second floor. This queer-led artist-run centre presents work by emerging artists. Features include: art gallery, reception bar area, staff offices, and bookable meeting room.

Floor 01

The first floor welcomes you to the Turret Arts Space with a café, workshops and events, public art, and Queer Heritage interpretation. Features include: bookable multipurpose room, café area, universally accessible main entrance, and elevator servicing all floors.

A robust and thriving space that supports the creation of culture and engagement that contribute to an active arts and social scene in HRM.

History, passion, and co-creation

Queer stories need to be told by and for our communities. That’s why the Turret Arts Space takes a co-creation approach to stewarding the pivotal Queer Heritage of our building.  

An iconic Gay and Lesbian History, famous across Canada

Queer spaces in the 1970s were rare: usually controlled by others, seeking profit rather than self-respect. The Turret Club was a gathering space for all genders, run by a diverse grass-roots organization funding political and social services. It was remarkable, not just locally. but nationally and internationally: an almost unique example of community self-empowerment.

Robin Metcalfe

Independent Writer, Curator, and Queer Community Historian

A Queer Heritage icon

The Turret Club created community self-empowerment because profits from its epic disco nights funded the Gay Alliance for Equality to advocate for human rights.

Want to learn more about our Gay and Lesbian History?

Economic impact highlights

Culture plays a vital role in economic diversification and prosperity

The ability to export is a career-defining milestone for artists. Right now the lack of systems to support artistic career development has left Nova Scotia trailing the rest of Canada by over 70% for cultural product exports.

Turret Arts Space targets professional development and builds authentic networks of support to ensure local artists reach national and international audiences.

Here’s how you can take action today

Make a donation or connect the Turret Arts Space to potential donors. Fill in our letter of support form to automatically reach all levels of government to share your support for the Turret Arts Space project.