Jacquelyn Miccolis founded the Creative Community Impact Association (CCIA) in 2025 after years of community arts initiatives in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) revealed a persistent gap: accessible, inclusive arts programs for adults and underrepresented communities who’ve long been overlooked in favour of children and professional artists. Building on the momentum of Sparkles n’ Sawdust—a boutique studio that transformed into an award-winning pandemic-era event space—and Supernova Events, a social enterprise connecting the creative economy with community needs, Miccolis created a federally incorporated nonprofit designed to demonstrate that arts aren’t just for creating but for connecting people, sparking ideas, and strengthening communities. CCIA’s free monthly workshops regularly reach capacity, reflecting strong demand for socially engaged creative spaces where adults can reclaim the imagination and connection many lost when they put their crayons away.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Creative Community Impact Association (CCIA) is a socially engaged arts organization that uses creativity to connect people, explore ideas, and inspire positive change. We create accessible, inclusive opportunities for adults to engage with social, cultural, and ecological themes through arts-based practice. Our programs center diverse voices, foster belonging, and encourage participants to reflect, connect, and imagine together. Guided by strong governance and transparency, we ensure our work is accountable, sustainable, and ready to grow in ways that truly serve our community.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Across Canada, many adults and underrepresented communities lack access to arts programs that are truly inclusive, participatory, and socially engaged. Too often, creative opportunities are limited to children or professional artists, leaving many people without spaces to imagine, create, or connect.
CCIA addresses this gap by creating programs where creativity becomes a tool for learning, dialogue, and meaningful social impact. Our workshops and projects bring people together, foster collaboration, and support communities in exploring ideas, building skills, and strengthening connections.
We also conduct research into creative practice to better understand how artistic engagement can strengthen communities, foster inclusion, and inspire meaningful social change. This research informs our programs, partnerships, and advocacy, ensuring that our work delivers lasting impact.
Through this work, CCIA demonstrates that the arts are not just a way to create, they are a powerful way to connect people, spark ideas, and build stronger communities.
When did you start/join it?
CCIA was officially incorporated in 2025, building on many years of community arts initiatives in Kjipuktuk (Halifax). The journey began with Sparkles n’ Sawdust, a boutique studio supporting underrepresented creatives. When the pandemic arrived, we adapted and transformed the space into an award-winning event studio for artist-led workshops, recognized for its charitable and community contributions.
This momentum led to the launch of Supernova Events, a social enterprise connecting the creative economy with community needs through initiatives like the Supernova Market and a national Supernova Conference. These experiences inspired the creation of CCIA, a nonprofit with a national focus. Today, we empower communities and leaders across Canada to harness creativity as a catalyst for connection, inclusion, and social change, turning ideas into tangible impact.
What made you want to get involved?
I have always believed art should be accessible to everyone, not just children. Somewhere along the way, many of us put our crayons away, and with them, a part of our imagination and ability to connect. I founded CCIA to reclaim that sense of possibility for all adults and underrepresented creatives.
Through arts-based workshops, collaborative programs, and inclusive learning experiences, we help communities explore creativity, engage with meaningful ideas, and build stronger, more resilient connections.
What was the situation like when you started?
When I began with Sparkles n’ Sawdust Studio, there were very few adult-focused arts programs in Kjipuktuk. Most workshops were designed for children and youth, leaving adults and underrepresented creatives without accessible, collaborative opportunities.
Today, the need for safe, socially engaged creative spaces remains strong. CCIA addresses this gap by centering our work on social justice, community engagement, and skill-building that fosters reflection, dialogue, and measurable social impact.
How has it changed since?
Our programs and community engagement have evolved in response to growing demand for inclusive, socially engaged arts spaces. This evolution ultimately led to CCIA’s creation, a federally incorporated nonprofit designed to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and support creative communities across Canada.
Participants now engage with attentiveness and care, fostering collaboration, trust, and meaningful human connection. Our free monthly workshops regularly reach capacity, reflecting a strong need for inclusive creative spaces.
We are also conducting early-stage research to demonstrate how creative work drives social change and strengthens communities. Lessons from the pandemic reinforced the importance of relationship-based engagement, shaping our approach to programs, partnerships, and nationwide impact.
What more needs to be done?
CCIA is intentionally expanding across Canada. We currently host in-person events in Kjipuktuk and virtual programs connecting people from coast to coast. This year, we are excited to bring small in-person events to other Nova Scotia communities, beginning with the South Shore.
Our goal is to make accessible, socially engaged creative spaces available to as many communities as possible. We want people to experience the joy of making, the power of connection, and the impact of art that is meaningful and welcoming. Through workshops, collaborations, and community projects, our goal is to spark dialogue, foster collaboration, and build communities that are stronger, connected, and resilient.
How can our readers help?
Readers can support CCIA by attending workshops, volunteering, sharing our programs, or contributing financially. Our Founders Circle is a group of supporters who provide ongoing contributions to expand our reach and impact. Every contribution, big or small, ensures our programming remains accessible and our mission continues to grow, fostering inclusive creative communities across Canada.
Do you have any events coming up?
Yes. We host monthly community workshops and events exploring accessibility in the arts, community storytelling, ecological themes, and 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences. These gatherings go beyond skill-sharing; they foster dialogue, nurture care, and support collective growth. Our programming reflects the ongoing values of our community: resilience, connection, sustainability, creative advocacy, and equity.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
There are many incredible local charities, but Hope Blooms stands out. I first met them at a vendor market I organized and reconnected last year during an event in their greenhouse and community space during Nocturne. Their work embodies values we hold at CCIA, including diversity, inclusion, and community engagement, and it is inspiring to see the meaningful impact they continue to create in Kjipuktuk.
