Arts, culture and heritage are central to the social, cultural and economic life of Nelson and the wider West Kootenay region. With the 2026 provincial election now underway, we invited local candidates in the Kootenay Central riding to share their perspectives on the sector and the priorities they would bring to the Legislature if elected.

The Provincial 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, Kootenay School of the Arts Society, The Civic Theatre, Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism, and The Capitol Theatre.

The 2026 provincial election will be held Saturday, October 24, 2026. You can find more information at Elections BC. 

In this survey, we hear from Nicole Charlwood, a candidate running for the BC Green Party. 

1. Your Experience & Connection to the Sector

What experience and perspective would you bring to the role of MLA?

I’ve lived in Blewett for 25 years and raised two children here with art at the core of their education, so I understand this region as a place to build a life, not just a place to visit. My background is in economics, and I’ve worked in political organizing, insurance, tourism, electoral finance and social innovation. I also served on Nelson City Council. Today I develop rural and remote models for integrated youth services, and I’ve secured $1.5 million in provincial funding for that work. That has taught me how provincial programs actually land, or fail to land, in small communities. I would bring that practical knowledge of provincial systems and funding to Victoria, along with a clear sense of what our communities need from them.

How do you currently engage with arts, culture and heritage in our region—as an attendee, volunteer, participant, donor, purchaser, practitioner or supporter?

I am active in this sector, from serving as Vice Chair of the Nelson & District Arts Council to participating in annual choir and dance performances, including leading Pride’s dance flash mob. Through my community work, I’ve seen how arts programming draws in young people who aren’t reached any other way. In a rural region, cultural spaces often double as places of belonging, and I’m proud of the public art available to enjoy, like Nelson’s murals. And I can’t forget all of the wonderful festivals, theatre and galleries of our region that I enjoy visiting, that bring us together across generations – an antidote to our divisive political landscape.

2. Understanding Arts, Culture & Heritage

What role do you believe arts, culture and heritage play in the social and economic wellbeing of communities like Nelson and others throughout the West Kootenays?

In the West Kootenay, arts and culture are core economic infrastructure. They support tourism, help keep main streets alive, and draw new residents and businesses. They’re a big part of why people choose to stay here. Socially, they give people places to gather and give young people a way to express themselves and find belonging. Heritage work keeps the region’s history visible, including its harder chapters. My economics training tells me to count the multiplier effects. My life here tells me some of the most important returns can’t be counted at all.

What do you see as the most significant challenges currently facing artists, cultural workers and non-profit arts, culture and heritage organizations in our region?

The main challenges are rising costs and funding that hasn’t kept pace. Housing and studio space are increasingly out of reach. Organizations face rising wages, insurance and facility costs on project-based funding that doesn’t cover core operations. Many small organizations run on volunteers who are burning out. In rural areas, travel costs and distance add to the burden.

3. Provincial Arts & Culture Funding

Many arts, culture and heritage organizations rely on provincial operating and project funding while facing increasing costs for wages, insurance, facilities, programming and artist fees.

What role should the Province play in ensuring the long-term sustainability of B.C.’s arts, culture and heritage sector?

The Province should be a stable, predictable partner. Organizations can’t plan, retain staff or pay artists fairly when they don’t know from year to year whether core funding will come through. The Province’s job is to provide the foundation that lets local fundraising, earned revenue and municipal support build on top of it.

Will you work to ensure that artists and arts and cultural institutions are sustainably funded? What improvements do you think could be made in this area?

Yes. Having written and managed provincial funding applications myself, I would push for:

• more multi-year operating funding, so organizations aren’t living grant to grant;
• funding levels that are reviewed against inflation and real operating costs;
• simpler applications and reporting scaled to the size of the grant, because a small organization shouldn’t need the same paperwork as a major institution;
• recognition that fair artist fees and fair wages are legitimate costs to fund.

4. Rural & Regional Equity

Artists and cultural organizations in rural and remote communities face different challenges than their counterparts in major urban centres, including smaller funding bases, limited infrastructure, transportation barriers and fewer professional development opportunities.

How would you work to ensure provincial arts, culture and heritage policies and funding programs reflect the realities of rural and regional communities, specifically the ones we live in here, in this region?

Rural equity has been central to my work. I’ve spent the last several years making provincial programs function in rural and remote places, and the lesson is consistent. Programs designed for cities need deliberate adjustment to work here. I would advocate for:

• rural adjustment factors in funding formulas that account for travel, smaller audiences and smaller donor bases;
• regional representation on adjudication panels;
• travel and touring support so artists can reach audiences across our scattered communities;
• professional development delivered in the region, or remotely, rather than only in Vancouver and Victoria.

As MLA, I would also ensure arts organizations have a direct line into government when a program isn’t working for them.

5. Truth, Reconciliation, Equity & Accessibility

What learning or relationship-building have you undertaken related to Indigenous peoples, histories and communities connected to this territory, and to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?

I see this as ongoing work and as a responsibility rather than a credential. I am personally connected with the Sinixt CCT who have reached out to support two of my projects unsolicited. They are very concerned about being downgraded by the BC government, and I have committed to ensuring the Supreme Court of Canada findings are upheld and that they have an active voice at the table they have been removed from provincially. The Yaqan Nyuki recognize me as active in the region; we overlapped in watershed protection work, and I have attended their events for years to stay connected.

How would you ensure that equity, diversity and inclusion translate into meaningful access to funding, cultural spaces, leadership and decision-making, not only representation or participation?

Representation without resources isn’t access. I would push for dedicated funding streams designed with Indigenous artists and communities, and for Indigenous-led decision-making over Indigenous cultural funding. I’d also support funding for accessibility costs like ASL, venue modifications and support workers, so those costs don’t come out of already thin budgets.

6. Affordability & Cultural Infrastructure

The affordability and availability of housing, studios, performance venues and other cultural spaces directly affect whether artists and cultural workers can continue living and working in our communities.

What role should the Province play in supporting affordable cultural spaces and helping artists and cultural workers remain in the communities where they work?

If artists can’t afford to live here, everything else is moot. The Province should treat cultural workers as part of the regional workforce in housing strategy. It should also support live-work and studio space within affordable housing developments, and invest in capital funding for small and mid-sized cultural facilities. Many of our halls and venues are aging community buildings that need upgrades to stay usable and accessible. I’d also look at ways to help communities and non-profits secure and upgrade existing buildings for cultural use before they’re lost to the market.

7. Your Commitment

If elected, what is one concrete action you would advocate for during the next provincial term to strengthen arts, culture and heritage in Nelson, the West Kootenay region and British Columbia?

I will meet with arts and heritage organizations across the riding within my first six months to bring your priorities directly to the Minister, and if agreed, I will advocate for a rural and regional stream within provincial arts funding, with multi-year operating support and a travel cost adjustment.