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 Ian Parfitt, a Candidate for the office of Councillor.
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Civic Experience
What experience do you have working in politics?
I haven’t run for office, but I served in both the recent provincial and federal elections. If you voted provincially at the Best Western or federally at the Hume, we may have met when I handed you your ballot. I have considerable governance experience:
2019 – 2021 Chair, Education Council, Selkirk College
2007 – 2011 Director, Kootenay Association of Science and Technology (KAST)
2002 – 2008 Vice-President, Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology.
What is your knowledge in regards to municipal politics and responsibilities?
I am aware that municipalities in BC are governed by the province’s Community Charter and Local Governments Act, similar to the way Selkirk College is governed by the Colleges and Institutes Act. According to Nelson’s 2025 OCP document, this limits the City’s scope to:
- Raise funds through property taxation and fees to deliver services and invest
- Regulate land use and some policies
- Work with other levels of government to provide housing, education, health services, transportation, arts and culture, sports and recreation and other priorities.
What vision of community would you bring to city council?
I see Nelson as a dynamic, vibrant, inclusive, and resilient community. Arts, culture and heritage draws people to Nelson, and brings our community together. Nelson has a long history of supporting the arts through facilities, grants to organizations, and opening up roads, parks, and other public spaces for events.
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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?
I support inclusive decision-making. During the 2025 Official Community Plan work over the past term, the City used a reasonably comprehensive engagement strategy including open houses, meeting people where they are, for instance at senior centres, and online. I would be interested to learn how to improve this process from residents and organizations who were involved last time. I presume that the 2030 OCP work will be underway or completed during the next term, and all council decisions should provide opportunities for participation.
How would you ensure transparency and accountability in your own decision-making?
I am familiar with conflict of interest policies and will self-report any potential conflicts and recuse myself from decisions and discussions if needed. I will come to meetings prepared and ensure I understand all the information and ask for information that is needed before a decision can be made.
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Understanding Nelson’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Sector
What is your impression of Nelson’s arts, culture, and heritage sector?
My impression is that this sector is vibrant, multi-faceted, talented, and recognized well beyond city limits. There are many ways for people to get directly involved in productions as well as getting out and enjoying the shows.
What role do you believe it plays in our community?
It is a major contributor to Nelson’s quality of life. It brings people together, it inspires, it comforts, it informs and it entertains us. It also employs about 5% of us.
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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?
I have worked for non-profits in the conservation & ecology and science & technology sectors by serving on boards and the arts, culture and heritage sector as program host on Kootenay Co-op Radio. Funding and staffing challenges are ongoing and significant.
What do you see as the primary challenges facing these organizations today?
My concern is that as the province is running up a large debt and the federal government is focused on infrastructure and military projects, funding for this sector may be a risk from other levels of government. We are fortunate to have CBT here and also a very supportive community overall. It was great to see the community and City come forward to support KSA after it was cut loose by Selkirk College, for instance.
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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?
While at Selkirk College, I served as Education Council Chair when the college established its first Indigenous Education standing committee. I had the honour of working in a good way with Indigenous instructors and staff on Selkirk education policy. I also attended the opening of the Sinixt office in Nelson, and a recent Sinixt ceremony at the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers. While at Selkirk College I worked on applied research projects with the Ktunaxa, Sylix and Secwepmec peoples.
Have you built relationships with the Indigenous community?
I have relationships with Indigenous educators and Lands staff from the Indigenous nations in our region.
How do you see City Council leadership contributing meaningfully to this work?
It was great to see that Nelson’s 2025 OCP includes some Indigenous history. I would like to see the creation of a space like the Gathering Space created at Selkirk College’s Castlegar campus built in Nelson. I know that elsewhere in the province, Indigenous communities have recently been able to recover federal lands. The RCMP station beside the bridge sits on the only federally-owned parcel in the City.
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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility
What learning or experience have you had related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility?
I was on the EDI committee at Selkirk College and have had basic EDI training recently at UBC.
If elected, how would these principles influence your work as a City Councillor?
Equity is one of the three key values that form the basis of the 2025 OCP. I support inclusive and accessible decision-making, and to provide many ways for people to contribute to decision-making.
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Participation in Arts, Culture & Heritage
How often do you attend an arts and culture event in the community?
At least once a month.
Do you or have you ever volunteered for an arts, culture, or heritage non-profit?
I co-hosted a movie review show at Kootenay Co-op Radio during their initial trial period and for several years afterwords.
Do you purchase local artworks or support the sector in other ways?
Yes I have purchased some local art. My daughter has preformed in summer theatre productions and has taken dance classes since an early age.
List 8 cultural organizations and businesses that deliver community-based arts.
- Craft Connection
- Kootenay Coop Radio
- Capital Theatre
- Civic Theatre
- Nelson Museum, Archives and Gallery
- Kootenay School of the Arts
- Oxygen Art Centre
- Corazon Choir
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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?
They contribute to the quality of life, to our economy, and to how we understand ourselves and our community. They also bring a lot of joy and play.
What would you as a councillor do to support the sector’s growth?
I would listen to the great organizations including the eight I listed above and ask what Council can do to support them. As an individual I’ll also be sure to get out to shows more often, and buy more art,
How do you think the sector could be strengthened over the next four years?
KSA has ambitious plans to transition from Selkirk College to its own identity. These first years will be very important for them to establish themselves so this will be something in particular that I’ll keep my eye on.
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Municipal Investment
Do you believe municipal investment in Nelson’s arts, culture, and heritage sector should be maintained or increased?
It should at least be maintained at the same level after inflation.
How would you balance investment in the sector with the other demands on the City’s budget?
It is important to balance the arts, culture and heritage sector with funding to other non-profits like conservation & ecology, health & wellness, and sports & recreation as all these organizations make important contributions to Nelson’s community wellbeing and attractiveness as well. I will constantly be on the look out for opportunities to access funding: it was great to see the $500,000 provided by the province for the Civic Theatre upgrades, for instance.
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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?
The City owns several of the spaces, but they are operated by others. Finding grants and other funds to maintain buildings can remove that overhead from arts organizations. The City also provides space for markets. Nelson businesses provide many venues as well. I support events like Art Walk that bring the arts and business communities together.
What role do you believe the City should play in developing affordable cultural spaces?
The City has played an important role and should continue to play an important role. The NMAG space is owned by the City and was previously City Hall. The Capital, Civic Theatre and Library are all City buildings. The City provides opportunities for art in other places like parks; these are inexpensive and accessible options that could be expanded.
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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?
Nelson’s culture should be featured in marketing materials like Nelson & Kootenay Lake Tourism’s website and guide. Dollar value of the contribution by art, culture and heritage to Nelson’s economy should be estimated annually.
- City and specifically downtown planning and the development of public space?
Public art contributes to vibrant street life and tourism
- Affordable housing for cultural workers?
Cultural workers, like all workers, require affordable housing. I expect that the worker housing currently being built by the Nelson Chamber of Commerce will treat workers from all sectors equally.
What role do arts, culture and heritage play in community wellbeing?
Arts, culture and heritage contribute to community well-being by providing opportunities for people to gather together peacefully to participate in or experience an event. It provides an opportunity to experience the passions and talents of our fellow residents in a supportive setting.
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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?
My commitment is that arts, culture and heritage funding remains at least constant after inflation. I also commit to supporting the KSA transition from Selkirk to independent organization.