Updates from Culture & Events City of Nanaimo // FALL 2025 | 2026 Culture Grants - Intake Now Open! | Grant Information Sessions: Attendance in a Grant Information Session is mandatory for all grant applicants. | Should you experience challenges or barriers in this application process or require additional support, we encourage you to reach out BEFORE the application deadline to: cultureandevents@nanaimo.ca (250-755-4483) | Poetry in the Harbour Wednesday, Sept. 10 | 7pm | FREE Shaw Lobby, Vancouver Island Conference Centre Entrance at 80 Commercial St. Join Poet Laureate, Neil Surkan, and special guests for an evening of poetry at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. September's event features poet, Kayla Czaga and special guests, Jacqueline Bell and Sho Miller. This event is FREE! Kayla Czaga holds an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC and currently serves as the online poetry mentor for Simon Fraser University’s The Writer’s Studio. Her debut collection, For Your Safety Please Hold On (Nightwood Editions, 2014) won the Gerald Lampert Memorial Award from the League of Canadian Poets. More info. | | Public Art Information Sessions |
Interested in applying for a public art opportunity with the City of Nanaimo? Learn more about our current Calls to Artists in these upcoming information sessions:
- Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 4:30 - 6pm: Drop-in, Bowen Complex, Room 5 (500 Bowen Rd, lower level)
| Open Calls for Artists/ Poets | 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.
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.
Youth Poet Laureate 2026-2028 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.
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.
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: December 1, 2025
The Culture Awards recognize outstanding organizations, groups or individuals in the arts & culture fields. More info. CALLS TO ARTISTS/ POETS - MORE INFO | Event Highlight: The Canadian Forces Snowbirds Returned to Nanaimo! | Did you catch the legendary Canadian Forces Snowbirds as they soared over Nanaimo Harbour for the first time in six years?! Two thrilling performances on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16 brought breathtaking aerial stunts, tight formations, and dramatic solo passes — all choreographed to a powerful soundtrack. | Thank you, Adam! A big thank you to our summer student, Adam Hopper, for his energy and dedication this season! You may have spotted Adam introducing a Concert in the Park, hauling supplies at City events, or contributing at planning meetings. His enthusiasm and hard work were invaluable, and we wish him the very best in his future pursuits! | | Fluence by David Martinello | In complement to the Westwood Lake Park amenity improvements, the City of Nanaimo unveiled Fluence, an eye-catching new public art installation by artist David Martinello. Located on an exterior feature wall of the new accessible washrooms, Fluence is a modern and timeless work of art meant to enrich visitors' experiences in the park. Pairing the effects of laminated wood beams and green powder-coated aluminum, Fluence examines our
relationship with the forest and how we engage with it. With consideration for the value of trees, the artwork speaks to the surroundings of Westwood Lake, making connections with the land and eliciting a sense of adventure into the park. Fluence invites visitors to experience public art in a natural setting, fueling imagination, while encouraging curiosity and critical thinking. David Martinello is a multifaceted artist and craftsperson who investigates the expressive attributes of wood. By responding to the material's characteristics, he contemplates wood’s value to develop a holistic account of its influence in natural and constructed environments. Martinello’s practice is informed by a BFA from Queen's University and years of building furniture with his company, Alternative Woodworks. He’s curated exhibitions and residencies, and his art has been seen in galleries across Canada, with public artworks commissioned by municipalities in BC and Alberta. More information on the city’s Urban Design Roster can be found on the city's website. More information on David Martinello’s practice can be found on the artist's website. | Upcoming Art Classes - Register Now! | | | Saturdays, Sept. 13-Oct. 18 | 2:30 - 4:30pm
$120 | Course # 152147 Come explore and learn a variety of art techniques including intuitive painting, collage, stamping and more. We will create a few art pieces, imbuing them with your own personal meaning. Supplies list will be given at the first class. | | | | Saturdays, Sept. 27 - Oct. 25 | 11:30am - 1pm
$65 | Course #149611 Make a One of a Kind writing journal! In this class we will make 2 signature journals using vintage book pages, maps, music pages, lace, envelopes and a wide variety of "found" papers to write on. | | | National Day for Truth & Reconciliation SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 Watch our website for more information coming soon. EVENTS CALENDAR | | Bruce Halliday It is with great sadness that the Port Theatre shares the passing of Bruce Halliday, their fearless General Manager for more than twenty years, who retired in 2022. Bruce was instrumental in opening the Port Theatre and shaped our community through his vision, steady leadership, and deep love of the arts. Bruce was awarded the 2022 Honour in Culture Award. A true champion of the arts for over 40 years, he will be dearly missed. More information, including Celebration of Life details can be found on the Port Theatre webpage. | | Dr. William Good With deep sadness, we also share the passing of Dr. William Good ts'usqinuxun - Master Artist, Elder, Knowledge Keeper, and friend. He was awarded the 2018 Honour in Culture Award. His extraordinary legacy through art, teachings, songs, and storytelling will continue to resonate. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Good family, Snuneymuxw, and the community during this difficult time. | | Contact Us
WE’RE HAPPY TO HELP | With respect & gratitude, we acknowledge that our work is carried out on the
territory of the Snuneymuxw people | Follow us on Instagram @prc_nanaimo! Stay updated on the work of the Culture & Events team, and see how we’re building community through arts & culture by amplifying & championing local creativity #LoveArtsNanaimo FOLLOW US! | | | | |
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