Calls to Artists/ Poets 

This summer and fall, there are multiple opportunities to become engaged with our City’s cultural programs - from contributing to urban design, to recognizing extraordinary individuals and organizations for their achievements, to sharing a love of poetry and more!

Urban Design Roster 2026-2028

Deadline for Applications: October 12, 2025
The City of Nanaimo is seeking artists for the 2026 - 2028 Urban Design Roster, which offers artists and designers an opportunity to be involved in urban design that can be integrated into civic infrastructure. More info.

Temporary Public Art 2026

Deadline for Submissions: October 26, 2025
The City of Nanaimo is seeking proposals for Temporary Public Art to be initiated in 2025 and realized in 2026. More info.

Street Banners 2026 - Call to Youth

Call Opens: June 30, 2025 | Deadline for Submissions: September 28, 2025
The City of Nanaimo is seeking art from youth (ages 19 and under) for its 2026 Street Banners. More info.

Youth Poet Laureate 2026-2028

Call Opens: July 15, 2025 | Deadline for Applications: October 19, 2025
The City of Nanaimo is seeking nominations for our next Youth Poet Laureate (ages 13-24), who will serve as a literary ambassador, creating opportunities for the community to appreciate strong youth voices. More info.

Art in Public Spaces Working Group 2026-2028

Call Opens: October 13, 2025 | Deadline for Applications: January 25, 2026
The City of Nanaimo seeks applications for membership on its Art in Public Spaces Working Group, which consists of individuals who serve as knowledgeable volunteers, helping to advance the City’s Public Art program. More info.

Culture Awards 2026

Deadline for Nominations: October 26, 2025
The Culture Awards recognize outstanding organizations, groups or individuals in the arts & culture fields. More info. 

CALLS TO ARTISTS/ POETS - MORE INFO

The OV Arts Centre

Concerts in the Park

This Friday - June 27 beginning at 6 PM - Concerts in the Park is a double-feature. Don't miss it!  

Photo provided courtesy of Exit 30

Photo provided courtesy of Joel Lee

For more information, including updates on performers:

CONCERTS IN THE PARK

Congratulations to our

2025 Youth Poetry Contest Winners! 

This spring, Youth Poet Laureate, Paige Pierce invited youth poets (up to 18 years old) from the Nanaimo community to submit their poetry to our Youth Poetry Contest. After receiving an overabundance of brilliant submissions, our top three contest winners are: 

1. Taking Flight by Mia Robertson-Heggs
    
2. In the Silence of Absence by Emma Chen
    
3. Fear No More by Elaina Patrinos

Congratulations to our winners and all youth poets who participated in this contest! Youth poetry, including our winning poems and many others, will be featured in a display at the Harbourfront Library this summer. Enjoy Mia's winning poem below. 

Taking Flight

By Mia Robertson-Heggs

Virtual Tours of the Public Art Collection

Photos of (Welcome Pole, Noel Brown) by Sean Fenzl Photography | @fenzlstudio

*New* Temporary Public Art

Histogram Histories by Kiranjot Kaur

We are proud to announce the unveiling of Histogram Histories, a striking new temporary public art installation by multi-disciplinary artist Kiranjot Kaur. Located in the lobby of Oliver Woods Community Centre, this innovative artwork turns data into art, transforming historical statistics about Nanaimo into an eye-catching hanging sculpture that encourages the public to see Nanaimo through a new lens.

Histogram Histories is composed of colourful ‘graphs’ that invite viewers to look through time with each line of fabric cylinders representing one of seven metrics tracing change in Nanaimo over time. Input from people in the community can be seen in the form of fabric strips displaying names and arrival years encircling the Arrival Patterns graph. The artwork reflects Kiranjot's unique blend of artistry, engineering, and lived experience. By visualizing data in a tangible, beautiful artistic form, the installation fosters reflection, dialogue, and connection within the community. Histogram Histories is an invitation to explore how statistics can tell the story of place, not only through numbers but through colour, shape, and form.

LEARN MORE

Urban Design Roster Highlights

The Urban Design Roster offers artists and designers an opportunity to be involved in civic urban design and small-scale artwork related to city infrastructure.

June was Pride month and you may have noticed some colourful additions to Nanaimo's downtown! 

A vibrant re-creation of Nanaimo’s “Big Heart” Pride mural featured in episode 4 of the second season of The Last of Us (found on Skinner St next to the Palace Hotel). With support from HBO, artists from the City’s Urban Design Roster, Humanity in Art, completed the repainting of the mural which serves as a legacy project for The Last of Us filming in our downtown last year.

Utility Wrap Design by Chase Gray

As described by the artist, "A utility box wrapped with queer joy in Snuneymuxw!"