VANS was founded in 1976 as a non-profit arts service organization. The mandate for VANS is as follows: VANS works for the advancement of visual arts and artists of Nova Scotia.

VANS is managed by an elected volunteer Board of Directors who come from all regions of the province. Most are working artists.

The VANS office is staffed by an Executive Director, Membership and Outreach Coordinator, and a Communications Coordinator.   More detail...