Updates from Culture & Events

City of Nanaimo // Jan 2023

Image: Concerts In the Park past performances
left to right - Eutah Mizushima & Josh Rudolph, Neck Point Park, 2022 /  Les Amies Musicales, McGregor Park, 2022

Concerts in the Park
Call to Artists NOW OPEN!

Nanaimo parks will be filled with music once again this spring and summer, with the return of our popular Concerts in the Parks series! Local musicians and bands are invited to apply for consideration. This is an opportunity for you to showcase your talent against the backdrop of some of our most beautiful park spaces. These weekly concerts can draw crowds of up to 250 people, and are a fantastic way to underscore the diverse musical talent in and around Nanaimo!

Please note that performers will need to provide their own sound system and will receive a remuneration for their performance. Please provide a brief audio recording of your music or link to website containing sound samples of your material. During selection, entertainment value and interaction with the audience, as well as the variety in styles of entertainment over the series of our summer concerts will be considered.

We look forward to your submission!

Apply online, until 4:00PM, March 6th, 2023.

Apply Online!

Image: Commercial Street Night Market, Ben Giesbrecht

2023 Culture & Event Grants

Grants have been awarded for the 2023 Culture & Events Operating Fund, Project Fund and Downtown Events Grants! We wish success to all applicants and recipients, and thank each member of our culture community for the value that they contribute to our Arts & Culture sector!

The City of Nanaimo is supporting $510,139 in funds through 44 grants:

13 Culture Operating Grants ($315,732)

19 Culture Project Grants ($44,407)

12 Downtown Event Revitalization Grants ($150,000)
 

Summary of Grant Recipients

Find us on Instagram @prc_nanaimo
New handle, same heart!

You may have noticed a change!  You'll still find us on Instagram, but with a new name that reflects all of what Parks, Recreation and Culture has to offer.  Be sure to follow us to keep up to date on the latest in arts, culture, event and recreation opportunities in and around our beautiful city!
 

Find us on Instagram

Introducing Adrienne!

Getting to know Adrienne Mercer Breen,
Manager of Culture & Special Events

Our new Manager of Culture and Special Events started on November 28, 2022. Adrienne Mercer Breen has volunteered with local organizations including the Nanaimo Fringe Festival (2011-2016) and the Mid Island Music Archive (2021-23). She is an author and occasional performer, holds an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies and has previously worked in community radio, community journalism, communications and patient engagement. She grew up in Coquitlam and has lived in Nanaimo for the past nineteen years.

Adrienne first got to know Nanaimo when she was a journalism co-op student in the Cowichan Valley in 1998. “One of my colleagues was a photographer for Pier Magazine, and through her I had a great introduction to culture in Nanaimo,” she says. “I am grateful for the learning, growth and inspiration the culture community has shared with me over the years and I am excited to support and shine a light on culture and events in our City.”

Creativity runs in Adrienne’s family – she has two artistic teenagers and her husband plays in the local band Moths & Locusts. In her spare time Adrienne enjoys writing, spinning poi, practicing yoga and attending music/arts/culture events throughout the City.

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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

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