Nocturne's Policies

Nocturne values many things, and a good policy is one of them!

Here we've collected together our policies to help ensure the community (that's you!) knows what we stand for and what we expect at our festival and other programming

Have a question about any of the below policies?

Festival Policies

Nocturne is the best and here is how we keep it that way:

1. Collective care: Treat all staff, artists, volunteers, and other festival-goers with respect (check out code of conduct + safer spaces policy). Despite our festival stretching clear across the city, we have a zero-tolerance policy for any infringement on our code of conduct.
2. Keep Nocturne green and our waters blue: Put your waste in the right receptacle, use reusable mugs for your on-the-go beverage needs, if you see trash bins overflowing, do your best to pick up any litter you might see. Every little bit helps.
3. Venue rules: Abide by the rules of the space you are in - many venues have their own policies and rules that must be followed.
4. Don't be a bystander: If you witness something happening that looks less than cool, speak up or find a festival volunteer (white vest) who can reach out to our crisis team. We can't be everywhere all the time but once contacted we will deploy our Safety Team immediately.
5. Respect the art and the artists: Read the project description and engage with the work in the way the artist has expressed.
6. Self-determination: There may be work that hits differently for you than for others. If you are triggered by a project and need support or have questions about a project please contact our team at [email protected]. If you need immediate support you should call 911 or another immediate crisis support line.

Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct is a broad-reaching policy aimed at addressing the expectation of behaviour placed upon all representatives of Nocturne. This Code of Conduct can be leaned upon in instances of oppression, discrimination and harassment and should be changed when deemed necessary by the board of directors to reflect definitions of inclusion which expand over time. Nocturne recognizes that policies of this nature are inherently incomplete, and must coincide with ongoing dialogue and education. Nocturne recognizes the patriarchal systems in which many arts organizations in Canada operate. Nocturne acknowledges the existence of internalized misogyny, systemic racism, neo-colonialism, rape culture, and systemic gendered pressures based on normalized patriarchal gender roles and as normalized societal framework. Nocturne is committed to anti-oppression practices in all aspects of its operations to combat these systems.

The Code applies to all Representatives and Stakeholders of Nocturne. “Representatives means all board members, officers, and employees of Nocturne, all of Nocturne’s contractors, artists (including all artists), committee members, all volunteers, and all participating community groups and galleries. “Stakeholders” means all members of Nocturne, all Nocturne sponsors, all Nocturne event attendees, and all of Nocturne’s organizational partners.

INCLUSION AND HARASSMENT

Nocturne does not tolerate discrimination or violent acts, which includes but is not limited to: violence, harassment, racism, sexual violence, or discrimination on all protected grounds of the Canadian Human Rights Act including race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, family status, source of income, or sexual orientation.

Safer Spaces

Nocturne is dedicated to providing safer spaces. Our aim is to: host spaces that are widely accessible, amplify marginalized voices and leadership, and actively prioritize anti-oppressive principles. Our organizational goal is to provide inclusive events free from harassment and discrimination.

Corporate Partnership Values Statement

Nocturne partners with a diverse pool of stakeholders—including artists, community partners, and sponsors—to bring art and energy to the streets of Kjipuktuk/Halifax every October.

In line with our mission to celebrate contemporary professional art, Nocturne is committed to centering artists and prioritizing their well-being in all of our decision-making. This commitment has prompted us to revisit our corporate sponsorship strategy.

Sponsorship plays an important role in making Nocturne happen each year: it pays artists for their cultural labour, ensures that staff receive liveable wages, and supports the logistics, planning, and project management work required to create a memorable festival experience.

Nocturne is open to exploring sponsorship opportunities with like-minded organizations who have a track record of supporting the arts and share our commitment to artist well-being.

At the discretion of our Executive Director and Board, prospective sponsors will be reviewed to ensure that they fulfill these criteria.

If you have questions or feedback, please get in touch with our Executive Director, Melany Nugent-Noble, at [email protected].