Resonance
Ursula Johnson
Eltuek (el-du-eg) is a Mi’kmaw word that means “We are making (it) together.” The (it) refers to whatever it is (we) decide to make – art, ideas, music, community, social change. Eltuek Arts Centre is accessible, inclusive, and continuous.
Eltuek Arts Centre is a home for artists, ideas, and community. Operated by New Dawn Enterprises, we are a non-profit, artist-led cultural centre located in the former Holy Angels Convent in Sydney’s north end. We offer affordable, inclusive, and beautiful spaces for creative work, gathering, and exchange.
At Eltuek, you’ll find:
Private artist studios and shared Open Studio workspaces
Gallery and exhibition spaces
Creative event and meeting venues for public and private use
Cafe Marie — our beloved cafe and catering social enterprise
The Meals on Wheels kitchen
Arts and community organizations who call the building home
We believe in the transformative power of the arts — their ability to ignite hope, spark dialogue, build connection, and change how we see ourselves and each other. We work to make the arts more visible and more vital by removing barriers to access, centring artists, and creating spaces that honour beauty, dignity, and care.
No current exhibitions right now.
No past exhibitions found.
Eltuek Arts Centre affordable workspaces for artists, arts collectives and organizations, as well as gathering and event space rentals for the community. Eltuek features a variety of spaces available for events, conferences, retreats, weddings, book clubs, classes, presentations, board meetings, and much more. The building features contemporary design with high ceilings, public art, lots of natural light, and several areas of exposed foundation stone.
1,598 sq ft (111 Person Capacity))
1,061 sq ft (60 Person Capacity)
216 sq ft
If you are interested in booking a space at Eltuek Arts Centre, please fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Indigenous and non-profit rates are available.
Open to the public Monday through Saturday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Special events may take place in the evenings and on weekends.
We are located in the north end of Sydney, adjacent to the New Dawn Centre. Our main entrance is located at 170 George Street. There is an entrance at the south stairwell and at the rear of the building, the west entry.
The elevator is centrally located and has seven levels (upper and lower floors). Cafe Marie is located on the 2nd floor (2U on the elevator).
Hours
Our building is open to the public on Monday through Saturday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Special events may take place in the evenings and on weekends.
Location
We are located in the north end of Sydney, adjacent to the New Dawn Centre. Our main entrance is located at 170 George Street. There is an entrance at the south stairwell and at the rear of the building, the west entry. The elevator is centrally located and has seven levels (upper and lower floors).
Cafe Marie is located on the second floor of the building (2U on the elevator).
Accessibility
Accessibility is an integral issue for our community of artists, cultural workers, and partner organizations, and within our programming and operations.
Barrier-free access is available at all building entrances and throughout the grounds.
The elevator is centrally located. We are committed to advising our tenants and visitors to the building of any potential elevator service disruptions in advance, as needed, and where possible. In the case of an unplanned disruption, signage will be immediately posted and tenants notified.
Universal washrooms are available throughout the building.
Signage is available in: Mi’kmaq, English, Braille
Parking
There are two designated accessible parking spaces at the George Street entrance and two in the Nepean Street parking court.
Limited free parking spaces are available but available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are four parking spaces at the George Street entrance, the Nepean Street parking court, and at the rear of the New Dawn Centre via Charlotte Street. Paid CBRM street parking is available on surrounding streets. There is no parking behind the building in the alleyway, as this is space for emergency and service vehicles only.
Self-Guided Art Tour
We invite you to experience the public art and architecture of Eltuek Arts Centre via our self-guided tour.
Our adaptive repurposing of this heritage building, ca. 1895, illustrates our ethos of social enterprise and sustainability. It features contemporary design, high ceilings, public art, natural light, exposed foundation stone, and signage in Mi’kmaq, English, and Braille. Barrier-free access is available at all entrances, and the elevator is centrally located. Accessible, universal washrooms are available on all levels. Public Wi-Fi is available.
Ursula Johnson
Sr. Jean Elizabeth Grant, CND & Vincent Poggi
Nelson MacDonald and Scott Moore
Melissa Kearney and Nelson MacDonald
Sara Roth
Steve Wadden
Loretta Gould
Malcolm Pate
In addition to guidance from New Dawn staff and board and a Community Advisory Committee, Eltuek Arts Centre has been served and supported by an Elders Advisory Committee.
Back Row [L-R]: Lawrence Wells (Membertou), Ernest Johnson (Eskasoni), Melissa Kearney (Programming Coordinator, Eltuek Arts Centre, ), Robert Bernard (Indigenous Guide Consulting Services). Front Row [L-R]: Anita Basque (Potlotek), Erika Shea (President/CEO, New Dawn Enterprises), Dolena Mary Poullette (We’koqma’q), Christie MacNeil (Manager, Eltuek Arts Centre ), Pauline Isadore (Wagmatcook).
The work of the Elder Advisory Committee includes: Drafting a land statement for the building; Designing the process for the Kisituek Gallery; and Creating an artist residency program for Mi’kmaw artists.
Membership: Ernest Johnson (Eskasoni), Anita Basque (Potlotek), Lawrence Wells (Membertou), Dolena Mary Poullette (We’koqma’q), Pauline Isadore (Wagmatcook).
The work and gatherings of the committee have been supported by the guidance and leadership of Robert Bernard and Dean Simon of Indigenous Guide Consulting Services.
Eltuek Arts Centre is a non-profit arts organization and creative hub that is owned and operated by New Dawn Enterprises. New Dawn’s work in the community would not be possible without the generous contributions of donors like you. The New Dawn Foundation is a charitable organization that empowers your money into real action in our community. Your compassion and support help to create a more vibrant and self-reliant Unama’ki, Cape Breton Island.
Eltuek is a powerful word shared with us by Mi’kmaw Elders meaning, we are making it together. Art, community, this journey. Through storytelling, poetry, visual art, sound and music, dance, performance, the arts can transform places, give people hope, start conversations, show people a way to see themselves and the world, connect, challenge, confront, bring joy, inspire with awe. Your generosity is supporting the work of artists and the creative community, every day.
"I've worked with a lot of development corporations and companies and communities, and New Dawn is a rock in our community. I love that its the oldest community development corporation and, in my opinion, one of the most successful and sustainable in the country. I’ve always been very proud of my relationship with New Dawn."
—Annette Verschuren and Stan Shibinsky,
New Dawn donors
As a member of the non-profit New Dawn Enterprises family, all profits generated are reinvested back into our community to support programs such as New Dawn Meals on Wheels which delivers over 20,000 meals annually to those in need. Clients of New Dawn are indirectly supporting our community and for that, we thank you for choosing us!
Each year, we deliver 20,000 meals to those in need, enabling more people to live well and longer in their homes
Safe, supervised, and supportive transitional housing for youth ages 16-24
See all Our Work
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No current job postings in Eltuek Arts Centre |
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We Come from the Sea by Joan Jonas to run at Eltuek Arts Centre and Inverness County Centre for the Arts from August 10 to October 12
Cape Breton Post, August 9, 2025
AUDIO: Photographer Steve Wadden shares inspiration behind his new exhibit on CBC Radio’s Information Morning Cape Breton
New Dawn Enterprises
37 Nepean St, Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6A7
newdawn@newdawn.ca
902-539-9560
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Eymu’ti’k Unama’ki, newte’jk l’uiknek te’sikl Mi’kmawe’l maqamikall mna’q iknmuetumittl. Ula maqamikew wiaqi-wikasik Wantaqo’tie’l aqq I’lamatultimkewe’l Ankukamkewe’l Mi’kmaq aqq Eleke’wuti kisa’matultisnik 1726ek.
We are in Unama’ki, one of the seven traditional and unceded ancestral territories of the people of Mi’kma’ki. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which the Mi’kmaq first signed with the British Crown in 1726.
Ketu’-keknuite’tmek aqq kepmite’tmek ula tela’matultimkip wjit maqamikew ta’n etekl mtmo’taqne’l. Ula tett, ula maqamikek, etl-lukutiek l’tunen aqq apoqntmnen apoqnmasimk aqq weliknamk Unama’ki.
We wish to recognize and honour this understanding of the lands on which we reside. It is from here, on these lands, that we work to create and support a culture of self-reliance and vibrancy.
AuCoin Renovations is matching all donations to the New Dawn Youth and Family Centre up to $10,000.
Glace Bay’s young people deserve a safe, welcoming place to learn, grow, and belong. The new Youth & Family Centre is being built for them, and your gift can help open its doors.
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