The Chauvet cave painting above is among the first known art in the world. We think of it as the birth of culture and civil society. Humanity reflecting on its own practices. A history of civil society would, therefore, be a history of civilization.
The Institute is dedicated to the renewal of civil society. Its own contribution is made through its commitment to research and education. Our work is currently organized around various projects in public history, social organization, and adult education.
Anna Leonowens is known in Nova Scotia as one of the organizers of the Victoria School of Art (now NSCAD University) in 1887. She subsequently became involved in organizing the Women's Suffrage Association, where she became the first President. Although Anna was not to live to see it, the political coalition behind women's suffrage was eventually successful with the passing of the Nova Scotia Franchise Act of 26 April, 1918.
