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 Keith Page, a Candidate for the office of Councillor.
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Civic Experience
What experience do you have working in politics?
Eight years serving Nelson as a City Councillor. Four years serving the Regional District of Central Kootenay as a Municipal Director. Seven years with the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments, now as Past President. Four years with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, now as Third Vice-President.
What is your knowledge in regards to municipal politics and responsibilities?
Extensive.
What vision of community would you bring to city council?
I see a Nelson in 2050 where major facilities like the Civic Centre have been renewed, where there is purpose-built non-market housing for workers and craftspeople, and where our arts ecosystem is thriving and growing.
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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?
By volunteering their time on a community project. Practice teaches deeply.
How would you ensure transparency and accountability in your own decision-making?
We are a table of seven. The discussion happens at the table, and I share my commentary when it’s needed.
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Understanding Nelson’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Sector
What is your impression of Nelson’s arts, culture, and heritage sector?
I’m grateful for it. We’re all out here carving out our lives one craftsperson at a time. We build our benches and tool them with our skills and perseverance. It’s a sector under pressure from the endless torment of late-stage capitalism, and it isn’t alone.
What role do you believe it plays in our community?
Educator, expresser and catalyst for growth.
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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.
What do you see as the primary challenges facing these organizations today?
Fiscal: building sustainable funding models. Labour: finding, keeping and developing the workers needed to meet organizational goals. Attention: screens are eroding and reshaping what people pay attention to throughout their lives.
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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?
I’m Third Vice-President of the Union of BC Municipalities and have sat on its Indigenous Relations Committee for a number of years. At UBCM we’ve welcomed new First Nations members and built learning opportunities for local government members on the real-world issues of moving through Truth and Reconciliation work as a province.
Have you built relationships with the Indigenous community?
Yes.
How do you see City Council leadership contributing meaningfully to this work?
By working with our local groups, building those relationships, and moving forward with shared decision-making frameworks where appropriate.
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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility
What learning or experience have you had related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility?
On the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Equity and Inclusion Committee, we’ve developed training modules for local government officials across the country on identifying barriers to inclusion and building policy to move their organizations forward.
If elected, how would these principles influence your work as a City Councillor?
I’ve been pushing for our hiring practices to recognize and respond to structural gender imbalances and pay structures. I’ll keep bringing that voice.
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Participation in Arts, Culture & Heritage
How often do you attend an arts and culture event in the community?
Weekly.
Do you or have you ever volunteered for an arts, culture, or heritage non-profit?
Yes.
Do you purchase local artworks or support the sector in other ways?
Yes, at the market and for gifts.
List 8 cultural organizations and businesses that deliver community-based arts.
- Nelson and District Arts Council
- Nelson Farmers’ Market
- Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery
- Civic Theatre Society
- Capitol Theatre Society
- Kootenay School of the Arts Society
- Nearside Arts Society
- Kootenay Regional Arts Council.
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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?
Soul.
What would you as a councillor do to support the sector’s growth?
Provide certainty and opportunity.
How do you think the sector could be strengthened over the next four years?
Secure the 606 Arts Space long term for the benefit of the community. Complete the Civic Theatre and bring it back online. Improve the availability of appropriate housing.
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Municipal Investment
Do you believe municipal investment in Nelson’s arts, culture, and heritage sector should be maintained or increased?
Maintained.
How would you balance investment in the sector with the other demands on the City’s budget?
Sector investment needs to be tied to a formal strategy and include the necessary partners, like the RDCK and the Kootenay Regional Arts Council.
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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?
For our facilities, it’s about getting the best use out of them. We’re renewing the Civic Centre, we’re piloting the 606 Arts Space, and we’ve rented out the Civic dance studio space.
What role do you believe the City should play in developing affordable cultural spaces?
Getting the best use out of our facilities, supporting grant applications, and taking part in strategic planning and debating its recommendations.
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Arts, Culture & Heritage in City Planning
How should arts, culture and heritage be considered within broader municipal decisions related to the following:
- Economic development and tourism?
Through the Greater Nelson Economic Development Partnership.
- City and specifically downtown planning and the development of public space?
Through the Cultural Development Committee.
- Affordable housing for cultural workers?
Through the Nelson Housing Committee.
What role do arts, culture and heritage play in community wellbeing?
That’s like asking what role children’s laughter plays. An important one.
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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?
Help the 606 Arts Space pilot succeed as an independent, community-run model.