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 David Johnston, a Candidate for the office of Councillor.
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Civic Experience
What experience do you have working in politics?
I have worked with local, provincial and federal politicians in my role at the Chamber of Mines.
What is your knowledge in regards to municipal politics and responsibilities?
There is a list of things that the council does and is able to do. The focus should be on that.
What vision of community would you bring to city council?
There are 12,269 people in Nelson. Everyone has a vision, council is meant to listen to them all.
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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?
City council is meant to be a liaison between citizens, tax payers and the city. I would do that in a respectful manner.
How would you ensure transparency and accountability in your own decision-making?
Everything the council does is publicly available. I believe transparency encourages accountability.
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Understanding Nelson’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Sector
What is your impression of Nelson’s arts, culture, and heritage sector?
I have worked in a lot of places over the years. Banff, Jackson WY, Vancouver, San Pablo CA, Calgary to name a few. When I return home to Nelson I feel proud of what we have here. Our theaters’ live venues and night life and art galleries are awesome.
What role do you believe it plays in our community?
I don’t know if it is the role or the reflection of town; it’s definitely ingrained.
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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, I have been on the board of directors and then president of the Chamber of Mines of Eastern BC for 17 years. It is a not for profit registered with the societies act.
What do you see as the primary challenges facing these organizations today?
Funding and volunteers, both are hard to find.
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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 don’t know if my experience consulting with many of the 13 Canadian bands or indigenous groups and 3 American tribes or bands that have claimed or made territorial assertions that Nelson and surrounding area is a part of their traditional territory, is a requirement for a seat on council, but I will bring that experience to the job. Nelson acknowledges three.
*See list
Canadian bands / First Nations
- Splatsin
- Lower Kootenay Band — Yaqan Nuʔkiy
- ʔaq̓am — St. Mary’s
- ʔakisq̓nuk — Columbia Lake
- Tobacco Plains — Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it
- Okanagan Indian Band
- Penticton Indian Band
- Osoyoos Indian Band
- Westbank First Nation
- Upper Nicola Band
- Upper Similkameen Indian Band
- Lower Similkameen Indian Band
- Shuswap Band
American tribes / bands
- Lakes Tribe — Sinixt, within the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Washington
- Kootenai Tribe of Idaho — ʔaq̓anqmi
- Ksanka Band — within the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Montana
Additional Sinixt representatives
- Sinixt Confederacy
- Autonomous Sinixt
Have you built relationships with the Indigenous community?
Yes.
How do you see City Council leadership contributing meaningfully to this work?
This is a provincial and federal issue. Locally, we can respect each other in our common space.
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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility
What learning or experience have you had related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility?
I have friends from all walks of life.
If elected, how would these principles influence your work as a City Councillor?
They would not.
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Participation in Arts, Culture & Heritage
How often do you attend an arts and culture event in the community?
Twice a month. More in the summer.
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.
List 8 cultural organizations and businesses that deliver community-based arts.
- Capitol theater
- Civic theater
- The Blues Society
- Nelson museum
- Oxygen arts
- Chamber of Mines museum and mineral and specimen collection
- the electric tramway
- and every open jam in town and the library lounge jazz night.
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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?
Adds to the economy by drawing people to see and hear and experience.
What would you as a councillor do to support the sector’s growth?
Nelson is the Venue, arts and culture is the draw, the city should be the venue for all the groups that wish to hold a successful event.
How do you think the sector could be strengthened over the next four years?
Nelson is the Venue, if arts and culture is the draw, council should be the venue for all the groups that wish to hold a successful event.
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Municipal Investment
Do you believe municipal investment in Nelson’s arts, culture, and heritage sector should be maintained or increased?
Nelson is the Venue, the city should focus on that.
How would you balance investment in the sector with the other demands on the City’s budget?
As an individual I would not, as a member of council I would participate in the process.
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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?
Again, Nelson is the venue. Maintain and improve accordingly.
What role do you believe the City should play in developing affordable cultural spaces?
There are many patrons of the arts, Go fund me, Patreon as well as provincial and federal grants for the arts. The city should focus on the facilities, reliable and affordable power and accessibility.
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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 and culture are personal and each person or group should be welcome to utilise functional and accessible city venues for their events.
Heritage comes with living in a 125 plus year old city and is a hallmark of town. People come here to see, experience and live in it.
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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?
Serving on council is not about Me, it is about We. I will use my voice and vote to focus on maintaining and developing public spaces that double as the venue for artists, entertainers, performers and spectators alike.