Artist: ArtWalk

Photographer: Bobbi Barbarich

Who We Are

Since 1969, The Nelson and District Arts Council has been offering arts and culture programming, education, and advocacy to over 15,000 artists and art-lovers of all ages and backgrounds in the Nelson area.

As well as hosting the Nelson International Mural Festival each year, we operate a number of Nelson’s much-celebrated and free cultural events including ArtWalk, the Rural Artist Support Weekend, and the Nelson Dance Educators’ Showcase. NDAC also configures The Narrows Artist Residency and the Richard Carver Award for local artists and emerging writers.

Here at NDAC, we are always working toward making our organization as safe, conscious, and as accessible as possible to everyone. Our members are individuals and groups who participate in art and culture related activities, and represent such disciplines as music, theatre, dance, visual arts, modern and traditional crafts, heritage work, and writing.

Our mission is to stimulate, broaden, encourage, and facilitate the continuing development of arts and cultural opportunities, projects, and activities in the Nelson District. We believe in building trust and fostering strong relationships; we want our members to feel supported, valued, and appreciated for their creative expression and artistic endeavours.

Become a member and support your community through the arts. Want to learn more about NDAC? Check out our policies and Basis of Unity .

Our Team

Meet the hard-working, arts-loving individuals that nurture and support cultural activity, promote community engagement, and advocate for the arts within the Nelson and District communities.

Jamie Adams

Mural Festival Coordinator

Sydney Black

(she/her)

Executive Director and Mural Festival Co-Founder

As Executive Director for NDAC, Sydney expertly steers the organization's artistic direction while handling the day-to-day operations.

Clelie Chevrier

(she/her)

Bookkeeper

Clelie has nearly two decades of experience as full-service bookkeeper with a focus on social-enterprise businesses and nonprofits.

Rheagan Lade

Assistant Mural Coordinator

When Rheagan isn’t painting or writing, she can usually be found labouring over the hundreds of weeds in her garden or exploring new ways to capture the world through film photography.

Ingrid Love

(she/her)

Marketing Coordinator

Ingrid coordinates the marketing for all NDAC programs, including Nelson International Mural Festival.

Brian McIntyre

(he/him)

Mural Coordinator

Brian has been the Mural Coordinator for Nelson International Mural Festival since 2020.

Wyatt Miller-Unser

Assistant Executive Director / Assistant Marketing Coordinator.

With a deep appreciation for the arts and a love of community-based storytelling, Wyatt is thrilled to support NDAC’s programming and contribute to the organization’s success.

Stephanie Myers

(she/her)

ArtWalk Coordinator

Stephanie began working in the arts and non-profits through her love of building community, celebrating creativity, and facilitating connections.

Avi Phillips

(he/him)

Digital Operations

Avi has been with NDAC since 2018, his role encompasses enhancing and managing NDAC’s digital infrastructure.

Board of Directors

Our dedicated Board Members are made up of volunteers committed to promoting and encouraging diverse artistic opportunities and inclusive cultural activities that strengthen our community.

Neil A. Ferguson

he/him

Neil holds a degree in Theatre from the University of Victoria and began his professional life working in theatre and live music as a technician. Those years behind the scenes gave him a strong technical foundation and a love for collaboration that continues to influence his work today as a documentary filmmaker.

Daniela Bustos

(she/her)

Director

Daniela brings two decades of theatre production and public relations expertise from Sao Paulo, Brazil, to her role here in Nelson.

Nicole Charlwood

she/her

Vice Chair

Nicole is a community organizer with a deep appreciation for the power of the arts to connect, inspire, and transform people of all ages.

Hannah DeBoer-Smith

(she/her)

Chair

Hannah has gained her certificate in Fine Woodworking from Selkirk College, and holds a BA in Public Administration and Community Development.

Michelle Hart

she/her

Michelle Hart (she/her) is a multidisciplinary theatre-maker specializing in performance, writing, directing, and comedy development. Based in Nelson, BC, she has spent the past several years producing and developing original live performance, creating opportunities for local artists while building sustainable audiences for comedy and theatre in the region.

Sammy Jade

she/her

Sammy Jade is a multidisciplinary artist whose creativity flows through many forms. She expresses her love of life through voice and movement in music, and through her hands in the art of weaving.

Gita Moore

(she/her)

Secretary

Gita has been with the NDAC Board since 2023! She enjoys volunteering her time to act as Secretary for the Board.

Myra Rasmussen

(she/her)

Treasurer

Myra is a community engaged artist, who focuses on the role of festivals and celebrations in bringing people together.

Vision

Artistic and cultural vibrancy in Nelson and the surrounding communities.

Mission

To provide opportunities and support for artists and art lovers in the Nelson region to connect, create, and experience.

Values

Reciprocity: We build respectful, trusting relationships and connect through equitable and non-extractive ways.
Accessibility: We prioritize the safety of our community and the accessibility of all our programming.
Advocacy: We champion equity in the arts and plant seeds that support more inclusive and sustainable arts communities.
Vitality: We magnify joy and create beautiful spaces and experiences to engage our community.
Amplification: We uplift artists to share their own stories and lived experiences in ways meaningful to them.
Integrity: We do all our work with care, transparency and sincerity to stay accountable to those we serve.

What we do

Facilitate: We facilitate engaging, accessible and community-focused arts programs and events.
Support: We provide low-barrier programming, skill-building, and economic opportunities for artists and the arts community.
Collaborate: We connect with regional arts and culture organizations, members, businesses and other partners to support cultural vibrancy.
Advocate: We advocate for artists, and work to address barriers to artistic livelihoods.

Our Region

An Artistic Ecosystem

The spectacular Nelson and Kootenay Lake region is an inspirational hotspot for art-goers, music lovers, food fanatics, nature enthusiasts, and adventure seekers.

Nelson is a vibrant mountain town with an incredible arts community that embraces and encourages all artistic disciplines. Nelson’s picturesque streets and intriguing alleyways are full of art, music, places to eat and drink, shops, and all manner of curiosities that attract thousands of visitors each year—making it a natural centre for the arts.

“I love how Nelson embraces and celebrates its artistic spirit. From the lively arts festivals to the cozy galleries tucked away in historic buildings, there’s an undeniable creative energy that infuses every aspect of life in Nelson”
Sydney Black, Executive Director

“I love being a part of the Nelson community. I love watching how our community grows and changes, while also somehow staying the same at the same time.”
Gita Moore, Board Member

“I love that although the Nelson community is small, there is a vibrant arts community representing lots of different disciplines and styles and perspectives.”
Avi Phillips, Digital Operations

“Although it is nestled in the mountains and comparatively small, Nelson has this incredible arts community that thrums on a similar frequency to that of an urban centre.”
Ingrid Love, Marketing Coordinator

Learn more about our beautiful region by visiting Nelson and Kootenay Lake Tourism.

Artist: STYNA

Photographer: Electrify Photography

Contact Us

info@ndac.ca

Nelson & District Arts Council

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