Outreach Award

celebrating archival projects that connect, collaborate and engage with communities

What is the Outreach Award?

Many CNSA member archives are intrinsically woven into the fabric of the communities they serve. Community-driven archives are meeting places for research, special events and tours. The Outreach Award celebrates staff and volunteers who encourage the participation of the community in their archival endeavors and/or actively bringing the archives alive in the community. The award, which was established in 2026, recognizes these creative projects that champion archives that connect, collaborate and engage with their communities.  

What is the Prize?

The recipient will receive $200 and the Outreach Award certificate.

Who can be nominated for this Award?

An institution, organization, or an individual within an organization that is member in good standing of the Council of Nova Scotia Archives.

What sorts of activities would qualify for this Award?

  • Outreach focussed on archives that are complete or still underway. 
  • Outreach that demonstrates an impactful influence on the community. 

Eligible outreach initiatives may include one or more of the following:

  • A community partnership or a collaboration with an organization outside of the archives which advances the accessibility to archival holdings and records. 
  • A project which utilizes the media (print, radio, television, or social media) to demonstrate its excellence and also furthers representation of the archives and recordkeeping profession.
  • Projects or training programs which educate the public on archives and records management.
  • An endeavor that collects and preserves local records and stories while engaging the community. 

What sorts of activities would not qualify for this Award?

  • Projects that are not focussed on archives. 
  • Projects created by institutions or organizations that are not CNSA members in good standing. 

How are nominations submitted?

  • Nominations may be tendered by the governing body of the institution or organization concerned; the institution or organization itself; by an outside body; or by an individual.
  • Project reports and any necessary accompanying documentation must be submitted together with the nomination form by the annual deadline – watch for an announcement in News & Events or contact our Archives Advisor.

The Nominations Process

To nominate a CNSA member institution for this award, please fill out the online Outreach Award Nomination Form.

  • The judges will be selected by the Awards Committee Chair.
  • The decision of the judges is final.
  • The award will be based upon the quality of the nominated project, rather than the size of the supporting resources.
  • The committee reserves the right to make no award if, in the members’ opinion, the nominations received are not of a sufficiently high standard.
  • Any descriptions from applications and supporting documentation may be used in the awards presentation for the winner of the Outreach Award. 
  • The award winner will be announced during the annual general meeting of the Council of Nova Scotia Archives or at the CNSA Annual Conference.