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 Leslie Payne, a Candidate for the office of Councillor.
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Civic Experience
What experience do you have working in politics?
For the last four years, I have been a Nelson City Councillor and have had the honour of working alongside the incredible professionals that form the Cultural Development Committee.
What is your knowledge in regards to municipal politics and responsibilities?
I have been a democracy enthusiast since I was a teenager. More recently, I have regularly attended council meetings since 2018 and deepened that knowledge when elected in 2022. I have attended numerous training sessions from the Local Governance Learning Academy.
What vision of community would you bring to city council?
I was a member of the OCP committee for nearly two years hearing feedback from the community. The Cultural Development Committee (CDC) was a valuable contribution to the plan. I support that vision and will ensure that equity, inclusion and accessibility are focal points as we move forward.
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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?
Show up at council meetings. Utilize the community comment time at the Committee of the Whole meetings every month. Three minutes to tell us what’s on your mind. Join committees. Send an email to council members. Sign up for the city newsletter and participate in the Let’s Talk community engagement. Sign up your organization to be a delegation to a council meeting on a regular basis. Invite members of council to your events.
How would you ensure transparency and accountability in your own decision-making?
Council meetings are public and available for viewing online. I generally reach out to the sector if there is something on the agenda where I would appreciate feedback. If something I do or say seems unclear, reach out. I’m happy to go for coffee.
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Understanding Nelson’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Sector
What is your impression of Nelson’s arts, culture, and heritage sector?
One of the key pillars for the success and well-being of our community.
What role do you believe it plays in our community?
Arts, culture and heritage are the heart and soul of Nelson. We need arts and culture to help people find belonging and also experience diverse points of view.
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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 worked in the non-profit sector and understand the challenges of uncertain grant funding cycles.
What do you see as the primary challenges facing these organizations today?
Relying on grants for operational funding. Small grant pot; more applicants. Decrease in government funding.
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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?
After a performance at the Capital Theatre by a student group from Mount Sentinel Secondary, I joined the From the Heart Indigenous learning circle held at the Nelson Public Library. We met bi-weekly for several years to discuss fiction, non-fiction, poetry, music, art. The STOODIS film festival and events held at the Capital, NMAG and the public library have all contributed to my learning journey.
Have you built relationships with the Indigenous community?
During my time in Nelson and especially over the past four years, I’ve had the opportunity to build relationships with members of the Sinixt Confederacy, the Ktunaxa Nation, the West Kootenay Metis Society, and the Circle of Indigenous Society. I attend events and show up to support Indigenous communities however I can with a commitment to ongoing listening and learning.
How do you see City Council leadership contributing meaningfully to this work?
I think that the council has a lot of work to do to build relationships. That requires leadership.
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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility
What learning or experience have you had related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility?
I attend a wide variety of events and meetings of equity seeking groups to try and understand how to better support them in our community. I acknowledge my privilege and I listen.
Nelson has an accessibility plan on our website as mandated by the province. Staff has done DEI training which should be extended to the new council. Now it is time to elevate the focus for implementation. We need a public accessibility committee.
If elected, how would these principles influence your work as a City Councillor?
These principles influence my work every day. And I am always open to learning more.
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Participation in Arts, Culture & Heritage
How often do you attend an arts and culture event in the community?
At least monthly and often weekly. Our arts and culture community has a lot going on and it’s often hard to fit everything in.
Do you or have you ever volunteered for an arts, culture, or heritage non-profit?
For a number of years prior to the Civic Theatre closing for renovations, I was part of the alternate Tuesday night volunteer team.
Do you purchase local artworks or support the sector in other ways?
I donate to a number of organizations and I have memberships to a wide variety of organizations. I attend their AGM’s so that I stay current on the achievements and challenges.
List 8 cultural organizations and businesses that deliver community-based arts.
- The Capital Theatre
- The Civic
- Nelson District Arts Council
- Nelson Museum and Art Gallery
- Oxygen Art Centre
- 606 Art Space
- Kootenay Regional Arts Council
- Polka Dot Dragon Arts Society
- and so many more
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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?
Arts, culture and heritage all strengthen our connection to each other and to the land. As we move forward into uncharted challenges this will become more important. Arts and culture have a big and growing role to play as we navigate extreme weather and threats from wildfire and drought. At UBCM, I attended a theatre presentation of “Eyes of the Beast” , a story of climate survivors which I hope we can bring to Nelson.
What would you as a councillor do to support the sector’s growth?
I attend and highlight a wide variety of cultural events around the city. I speak up for the sector at council meetings and support initiatives brought forward by the various groups doing the work.
How do you think the sector could be strengthened over the next four years?
Solid multi-year funding from both the Provincial and Federal government. Continued support from the Columbia Basin Trust.
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Municipal Investment
Do you believe municipal investment in Nelson’s arts, culture, and heritage sector should be maintained or increased?
I believe for a city of our size, the municipal investment in arts, culture and heritage is significant and should, at least, be maintained. The economic case for further investment would need to be very strong demonstrating a sound return on investment.
How would you balance investment in the sector with the other demands on the City’s budget?
During our budget process, we need to examine the level of services that we are delivering and see when we can economize.
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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?
I think offering 606 Victoria rent free for two years is a good example of what the city can do.
Providing land to build a live/work space for artists would be another significant contribution.
What role do you believe the City should play in developing affordable cultural spaces?
The city’s most direct role is the Cultural Development Committee and funding a Cultural Development Officer.
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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?
Continued Greater Nelson Economic Development representation and a better understanding of the economic contributions of arts, culture and heritage to our tourism sector
- City and specifically downtown planning and the development of public space?
The Cultural Development committee should be involved early in the planning for any significant projects happening in the downtown core. Preserving our heritage and enhancing our downtown areas are optimized if the cultural sector is part of the team.
- Affordable housing for cultural workers?
I remember the first time Sydney Black mentioned a live/work space in Vancouver for artists and said that couldn’t happen here. Why not? That needs to happen here so we can ensure that artists and cultural workers can continue to live and create in Nelson.
What role do arts, culture and heritage play in community wellbeing?
Arts and culture are our heart and soul. Heritage is our understanding of the past so that we can move forward in a more informed and equitable way. Our lives are richer and we are more connected due to the wealth of culture here in Nelson.
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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?
Work towards creating Work/live space for creatives
Continued support for 606 Art Space