High Tides Arts and
Community Centre
Learn more about what we do, and why we do it!
We create connection through culture, heritage and the arts.
The High Tides Arts and Community Centre comprises the former St. David’s United Church and Hall. The Church portion of our arts and community centre was built in 1858. It started as a Presbyterian Church and became a United Church of Canada in 1925. The building has features of the Classical Revival style, and the church bell, cast in 1867, is rumoured to weigh a ton.
The former church now serves as a theatre where plays, concerts, comedy shows, and other events are held.
The hall now serves as our community centre, where we focus on delivering programs to members of our Village and beyond. The community centre has always been a hub in the community. It has hosted everything from seniors’ programs to community dinners, crib nights, and even a wedding or two.
Both facilities are available to rent for events to community organizations and members of the public. To find out more, visit our facilities page.
The CHArt Society
The High Tides Arts and Community Centre is under the care of the CHArt Society (Culture, Heritage & Arts). Formed in 2010, the Society was originally established to plan and stage Maitland’s Launch Day, a commemoration of the launch of the ship W. D. Lawrence in 1874. However, with the acquisition of the Centre in 2016, the Society has evolved to take on a larger role in the life of the community of Maitland and the larger Noel Shore and East Hants areas. CHArt now stages numerous theatrical productions, concerts, and many other events.
Our Mission
The CHArt Society (Culture, Heritage & Arts) is a registered charity with the Nova Scotia Joint Stocks Registry and the Canada Revenue Agency.
As an organization, our mission is to:
- Advance the public’s appreciation of the arts by producing public art, exhibitions, presentations, and performance art events and by providing a forum for qualified artists to exhibit, present, or perform their artistic works through participation in such events;
- Advance education by providing instructional seminars on topics related to the performing and visual arts to the public;
- Provide a public amenity, by establishing and maintaining a community centre for public use;
- To protect and preserve significant heritage sites by restoring, developing, and maintaining the former St. David’s United Church and Hall, located within the Maitland Heritage Conservation District, with a view to commemorating the site and educating the public about it; and
- Undertake activities ancillary and incidental to the attainment of the above charitable purposes.
What does CHArt do?
As an organization, CHArt focuses on three main areas:
Community Access
Provide community access to public art, exhibitions, and performances by providing a forum for emerging and existing artists to exhibit, present and perform their work.
Education
Provide education on topics related to the culture, heritage and art of our local area and province.
Maintaining Facilities
Maintain the High Tides Arts and Community Centre, which consists of a theatre, and a hall, to provide our community and visitors with access to quality programming and arts and culture experiences.
Our Board
How can you get involved?
Our board of directors is made up of volunteers who generously give their time and share our passion for promoting culture, heritage and the arts in Maitland and the surrounding area.
They provide invaluable practical experience and knowledge, leading events and delivering programming that benefits residents and visitors alike.
Each board member serves for a two-year term.
Current Board Members
President
Deneen Newport (2025 – 2027)
Vice-President
Leah Burns (2024 – 2026)
Secretary-Treasurer
Gary Hanrahan (2024 – 2026)
Co-Secretary
Linda Forbes
Directors-at-Large
Nettah Burry (2025 – 2027)
John Hicks (2025 – 2027)
Janice Lockyer (2024 – 2026)
Gloria Burbidge (2025 – 2027)
Art Burton (2024 – 2026)
Warren Yuill (2025 – 2027)
Our Committees
Promotion and Marketing
Janice Lockyer, Chair
Fundraising and Grants
Vacant, Chair
Concerts and Events Scheduling
Vacant, Chair
Facilities Management and Booking
Leah Burns, Chair
Building Maintenance
Don Forbes, Chair
Theatrical Programming
Art Burton, Chair
Membership
Linda Forbes, Chair
Interested in becoming a CHArt Member?