Nelson’s arts, culture and heritage sector plays a significant role in the social, cultural and economic life of our community. In advance of the 2026 municipal election, we are inviting candidates to share their perspectives on the sector and their priorities should they be elected. The Arts, Culture & Heritage Candidate Survey is conducted by the Nelson & District Arts Council, Nelson Museum, Archives, and Gallery, Oxygen Art Centre, Kootenay Regional Arts Council, Tapatía Collective, and The Capitol Theatre.
The 2026 local election will be held Saturday, October 17, 2026. Eligible voters will elect one mayor and six councillors, as well as two School District 8 trustees.
Two advance voting opportunities will be held at City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 and Wednesday, October 14, 2026 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the City of Nelson website.
In this survey, we hear from Ramona Faust, a Candidate for the office of Mayor.
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Civic Experience
What experience do you have working in politics?
What is your knowledge in regards to municipal politics and responsibilities?
What vision of community would you bring to city council?
My local government experience includes serving as the Regional District of Central Kootenay Area E Director for 4 terms (14 years), ending in 2022. I represented the communities east of the Kokanee Park Bridge to Woodbury, the south side of the West Arm of Kootenay Lake, and Blewett.
As a rural director, I served on the Nelson and Area Economic Partnership, as Chair of the Nelson and District Recreation Commission, and as Chair of the Nelson Salmo Area E, F, G Parks Commission. I also worked in formal partnerships with the City of Nelson on waste, recycling, and transit initiatives. Furthermore, I was pleased to utilize discretionary funds to strengthen various local arts and culture initiatives.
Vision: Arts and culture have remained wonderfully diverse in Nelson and the surrounding district, with the City embracing and promoting the sector as an economic driver for the region. Art and culture should remain present across municipal and regional facilities, and we must actively strive to encourage the next generation of artists.
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Community Engagement & Transparency
How would you encourage residents, community organizations, and local non-profits to participate meaningfully in City visioning and decision-making?
As a rural director, I maintained a very hands-on and collaborative approach because staff availability was focused on specific tasks rather than community-based development. As Mayor, I would like to retain that style of engagement because decisions are inherently better when made together.
How would you ensure transparency and accountability in your own decision-making?
Unless bound by in-camera confidentiality, the public will always receive my rationale for the decisions Council makes.
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Understanding Nelson’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Sector
What is your impression of Nelson’s arts, culture, and heritage sector?
The sector historically had to fight for recognition and validation until institutions like the Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, the Capitol Theatre, and Artwalk established their central role in local economic development, followed by Oxygen Art Centre and the Visitor Centre. While we unfortunately lost Selkirk College programs again, Nelson’s tenacity is filling the void. Securing funding remains a full-time ongoing effort.
On a personal level, I audited theatre classes at David Thompson University in my 20s, worked as a leather and jewelry crafter during that same period, practiced dance from the 1980s to 2002, and currently sing in a choir. I also supported KATI in its bid for certification in my former role and provided discretionary funds when requested. You could say I have been engaged at the periphery of Nelson’s art and culture sector since the 1970s.
What role do you believe it plays in our community?
It supports economic development, preserves our history, serves community members’ mental health and creative aspirations, and has attracted talent to the area for over 60 years.
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Understanding the Non-Profit Sector
Are you familiar with the operational realities and funding models of non-profit arts, culture, and heritage organizations?
Yes. My non-profit employment background is in social services and forest stewardship. In both fields, I managed to involve Kootenay School of the Arts instructors and students in value-added community forest products. In Kaslo, I created the Youth Art and Culture (YAC) program, which hired working artists to mentor youth.
What do you see as the primary challenges facing these organizations today?
Key challenges include reduced federal and provincial funding, staff and volunteer burnout, and the continuous effort to appeal to a wide demographic. We have many incredible non-profits competing for limited funding, which can make funding decisions difficult to navigate.
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Truth, Reconciliation & Indigenous Relationships
Arts, culture and heritage organizations have an important role to play in truth, reconciliation and decolonization.
What learning have you undertaken with Indigenous peoples, histories, and communities connected to this territory?
Have you built relationships with the Indigenous community?
How do you see City Council leadership contributing meaningfully to this work?
During my time with the Real Estate Foundation of BC, we undertook annual Truth and Reconciliation training and created a First Nations Grants Stream in my final year. I have also pursued Truth and Reconciliation training at local government conferences. I sat on the Kootenay Lake Partnership alongside members of the Ktunaxa Nation, and since retiring, I have worked to ensure First Nations participation in the West Kootenay Watershed Collaborative’s efforts. My extended family is also First Nations.
I see Council’s role as practicing free, prior, and informed consent when making municipal decisions that may impact First Nations interests, even when not strictly required by law. Council should also engage in shared cultural experiences, integrate local Indigenous art and crafts where practical, and value Traditional Ecological Knowledge as a key form of information.
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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility
What learning or experience have you had related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility?
If elected, how would these principles influence your work as a City Councillor?
I have lived as a person of colour my whole life. Professionally, I worked in School District 8 as an Educational Assistant supporting children with complex needs, and I have also supported a parent with a physical impairment.
While I appreciate ongoing efforts to make streets more accessible, issues like deep curbs and snow accumulation can limit participation in cultural activities. While the City’s hiring practices are inclusive, I support conducting an annual review of our outreach efforts to encourage applicants from diverse abilities, gender identities, and racial backgrounds for both employment and volunteer positions.
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Participation in Arts, Culture & Heritage
How often do you attend an arts and culture event in the community?
Four times a year on average.
Do you or have you ever volunteered for an arts, culture, or heritage non-profit?
Not formally that I recall, but I organized the Procter Craft Fairs as a volunteer for many years.
Do you purchase local artworks or support the sector in other ways?
Yes. I frequently purchase local art to send to relatives in other provinces, along with the story behind the piece.
List 8 cultural organizations and businesses that deliver community-based arts.
- Oxygen Art Centre
- Capitol Theatre
- Craft Connection
- Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery (MAG)
- Kootenay Art Therapy Institute (KATI)
- Black Productions
- Nelson & District Arts Council (Mural Fest / Artwalk)
- Studio 80 / Kootenay Artisan
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The Future of Arts, Culture & Heritage in Nelson
What do you believe are the most important contributions arts, culture, and heritage make to Nelson?
The contributions are multifaceted, spanning entertainment, spiritual connections, and regional economic development.
What would you as a councillor do to support the sector’s growth?
How do you think the sector could be strengthened over the next four years?
(See section 9 response below regarding municipal investment and budget balance.)
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Municipal Investment
Do you believe municipal investment in Nelson’s arts, culture, and heritage sector should be maintained or increased?
How would you balance investment in the sector with the other demands on the City’s budget?
Nelson faces substantial infrastructure and safety priorities, so I cannot commit to specific funding increases at this time. However, I would not support diminishing current municipal contributions. We can further support the sector by integrating visual art into parks, trails, and public spaces, and encouraging street performance during the summer season.
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Affordable & Accessible Cultural Space
The cost and availability of cultural spaces is an increasing challenge for artists, cultural workers and non-profit organizations.
What role do you believe the City should play in protecting and supporting affordable spaces for arts, culture, and heritage services in Nelson?
What role do you believe the City should play in developing affordable cultural spaces?
The City has done good work recently with project spaces like the Chapel and the Selkirk College building. That type of active municipal support ensures art remains a long-term investment in our community’s future.
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Arts, Culture & Heritage in City Planning
How should arts, culture, and heritage be considered within broader municipal decisions related to economic development, tourism, downtown planning, and affordable housing?
- Economic development and tourism?
- City and specifically downtown planning and the development of public space?
Nelson is widely known as an arts town, and we should continue to capitalize on this identity across all branding and event promotions.
- Affordable housing for cultural workers?
Affordable housing for those earning under $30.00 an hour is a cross-sectoral need. Developments at currently stalled housing projects and the Chamber of Commerce property may offer options for low- and mid-range earners. Intuitively we are sering more advertisements for one and two bedroom units in town. There is a housing commitee and becoming familiar with their projects will be a first priority. I am also interested in evaluating small, municipally-owned lots to determine if private sector partnerships could build modest housing units renting for $2,000 per month or less depending on size.
- What role do arts, culture and heritage play in community wellbeing?
Arts and culture define Nelson’s identity and serve as an export of local talent. The sector acts as an economic engine, bringing young people here for education who contribute to the local economy and frequently choose to stay.
I thnk the arts help to reveal who we are as individuals, demonstrate ⁷⁷shared emotions and bring us joy.
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Your Commitment
If elected, what is one concrete action you would like to see City Council and the City of Nelson take during the next Council term to strengthen arts, culture, and heritage in our community?
I would like Council to sit down ⁶ with local arts organizations to review their priorities and determine where the City can offer targeted support. My approach is rooted in participatory democracy and direct collaboration because artists are the experts.