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 Devon Caron, a Candidate for the office of Councillor.
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Civic Experience
What experience do you have working in politics?
I have been involved in electoral politics since 2014 when I first got involved with the Green Party of Canada. I managed 2 federal campaigns, in 2015 and 2019, and have worked or volunteered on 3 provincial campaigns. I am now also employed by Elections Canada as a training officer, and for the past two federal elections, I have been responsible for training local elections officials.
What is your knowledge in regards to municipal politics and responsibilities?
City Council is responsible for setting the policies and direction for staff to implement the day-to-day functioning of the city. This includes waste management, garbage collection and sewage; providing clean drinking water; and maintaining roads and sidewalks, including repairs and snow removal. In Nelson, Council is also responsible for the municipal electricity provider, Nelson Hydro, as well as setting policy and planning for the future.
What vision of community would you bring to city council?
I see a vibrant community where there is rarely an empty storefront on Baker Street and people can get around easily, whether by public transit, cycling, walking or, yes, even driving. I see a community where the arts continue to be celebrated and artists can afford to live here.
I see a community where we take care of our neighbours and understand that a connected community is what will help us weather whatever challenges we face. That includes the increased risk of forest fires, knowing that all our neighbours have a way to evacuate in an emergency, and making sure the senior next door gets the help they need clearing their fruit trees.
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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?
How would you encourage residents, community organizations and local non-profits to participate meaningfully in City visioning and decision-making?
I think the City did a pretty good job with the Official Community Plan process. There seemed to be many meaningful ways for people to participate. I think it is important to actively invite people to participate, while also ensuring there is plenty of notice and lead time, along with easy-to-find sources of information.
How would you ensure transparency and accountability in your own decision-making?
I would ensure transparency by actively participating in Council discussions, so residents can see that I have prepared, am willing to ask questions and am willing to offer my comments. As for accountability, I would make myself available to discuss decisions I have made around the Council table, listen to different opinions and, if warranted, be willing to change my mind.
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Understanding Nelson’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Sector
What is your impression of Nelson’s arts, culture, and heritage sector?
What role do you believe it plays in our community?
You can see it painted on downtown walls, in the art hanging in so many stores, and in the lack of parking for blocks around The Capitol during a sold-out show by incredibly talented local performers.
You can see it in the way a non-profit was formed to rescue our arts school, and at NMAG, which showcases amazing art installations, supports local artists through its store, is actively working towards decolonization and yet, has somehow made local history interesting by opening up the old Cold War bunker.
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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?
What do you see as the primary challenges facing these organizations today?
As the Operations Manager of The Civic Theatre, I have firsthand experience with the operational realities and funding models of non-profit arts organizations. One of the biggest challenges these organizations face is buildings that need significant repairs and capital upgrades. The Civic Theatre, NMAG and, from what I understand, The Capitol Theatre are facing, or have faced, versions of that challenge. Other challenges include ever-rising costs for utilities, wages and supplies, along with funding models that require year-after-year grant writing with uncertain results and little, if any, core operating funding that keeps pace with inflation. This often leaves organizations uncertain whether they can continue various projects from year to year.
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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?
I don’t feel I have done nearly enough. I took an Indigenous studies class at the college, and in 2015, I started a book club to read and discuss the TRC Executive Summary.I have also attended a number of workshops and film events when possible, as well as at least two Blanket Exercises. That said, I understand this to be ongoing work, and I feel I have much more to learn.
One way I see City Council contributing to the work of reconciliation is by increasing funding for the Library and the educational initiatives and other activities it is working on.
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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?
We thrive as a community when as many different people as possible are able to participate. I currently work as the Accessibility Coordinator with Tiny Lights, have worked with a number of people with disabilities in the community, and until recently, was a member of the NPD’s Equity Diversity and Inclusion committee. EDI and Accessibility will be a current that runs through all decisions I make.
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Participation in Arts, Culture & Heritage
How often do you attend an arts and culture event in the community?
Pretty frequently. We usually attend two or three shows at The Capitol every year. We attend MarketFest, weekly markets, ArtWalk, and the Polka Dot Lantern festival at Lakeside park to name a few things.
Do you or have you ever volunteered for an arts, culture, or heritage non-profit?
I was a director and past president of NDAC, have volunteered at Kaslo Jazz Fest, and was a volunteer stage host at Tiny Lights for a couple of years before I became the accessibility coordinator.
Do you purchase local artworks or support the sector in other ways?
We sure do! I have broken more mugs made by local potters than I like to think about. More than half the art up in our place was purchased from local artists. I also support local artisan markets and make them my first stop for holiday shopping.
List 8 cultural organizations and businesses that deliver community-based arts.
- Kootenay School of the Arts
- Craft Connection
- Drift
- Kootenay Art Therapy Institute
- The Capitol Theatre
- Oxygen Art Center
- Nelson and District Arts Council
- The Civic Theatre
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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?
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?
One of the first things that comes to mind is that a robust arts and culture scene makes us better. It spurs our creativity and compassion by allowing us to see the world through the eyes of others.Our city is full of incredible artists and makers, and they make our community a desirable place to visit and bring many tourists each year.
As a councillor, I would support Council in continuing to invest in arts, not as something nice to have, but as a sector recognized as a major contributor to our community’s success. I think ensuring the City continues to recognize the importance of arts and culture, and supports grant applications from arts organizations to provincial and federal governments, would help strengthen the sector.
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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?
I’m not sure how much the City already contributes financially to arts and culture, so I cannot honestly say whether I would like to see that investment increased. But I cannot imagine wanting to see it reduced.
One important consideration is ensuring that arts spaces the City currently stewards, such as the former Dance Umbrella space, remain arts spaces.
As for how to balance investment in arts and culture with other competing priorities, that will depend on what those demands are. Arts and culture are incredibly important to our local economy and, along with small businesses, should be supported as such.
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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?
As I mentioned above, I believe it is incredibly important for the City to protect the cultural spaces it is currently responsible for as cultural spaces, because once they are lost, they will be difficult, if not impossible, to replace. I do not think it is the City’s responsibility to create every new affordable cultural space itself. Its role should be to partner with and support organizations that come forward with viable plans to develop them.
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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?
- City and specifically downtown planning and the development of public space?
- Affordable housing for cultural workers?
What role do arts, culture and heritage play in community wellbeing?
Arts, culture and heritage need to be part of broader municipal decisions. They are a big part of tourism and the local economy; they bring people downtown, support local businesses and help make Nelson a desirable place to visit.
Planning needs to make room for the sector and protect spaces already in community use. When we talk about affordable housing, we also need to remember that artists and cultural workers need to be able to live here.
Beyond the economic impact, arts and culture give people reasons to gather, create and see things differently. That kind of connection matters to a community’s wellbeing.
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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?
Alright, this one is a bit selfish, but I’d like to see The Civic Theatre get over the finish line and reopen next year.