Nanaimo Performing Arts Guild

Who we are

The Nanaimo Performing Arts Guild is a volunteer advisory group that supports the Old Victoria Arts Centre (OV Arts Centre) by providing guidance to City staff on how to maintain, operate, and improve the venue for community use.

How the Guild was formed

When the City moved to direct management of the venue, City Council established a committee to provide advice and guidance to City staff on stewardship of the space - both day-to-day needs and longer-term improvements.

After operating as a formal committee for a short period, it became clear that the group could be more effective as a less formal body that could meet more regularly and form working groups (subcommittees) to move projects forward.

On September 8, 2025, City Council voted to allow the Nanaimo Performing Arts Guild to be a Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee. This shift has supported more nimble, hands-on work, such as establishing:

• a Communications Subcommittee, and
  
  
• a Venue Upgrades Subcommittee focused on near-term improvements (including painting and flooring).

What the Guild does

The Guild’s role is to support a vibrant, welcoming, and sustainable performing arts venue by advising and collaborating with the City on priorities for the Old Victoria Arts Centre. The Guild’s purpose is to support and celebrate  a wide range of performing arts activities at the venue, increasing public understanding and appreciation of the local performing arts community, and providing advice and guidance on strategic and operational improvements. 

Key areas of work include:

• providing recommendations on maintenance and operational needs and space-related supports
  
  
• collaborating with the City to help inform maintenance and operating budgets
  
  
• supporting effective day-to-day operations and related facility needs
  
  
• working toward an accessible, inclusive, and affordable venue for small-budget performances

Read the full Nanaimo Performing Arts Guild Terms of Reference (PDF).

Members

• Wendy Wearne, Chair
• Arlene Blundell, At Large
• Holly Bright, At Large
• Jason Friesen, At Large
• Eliza Gardinier, At Large
• Samantha Letourneau, At Large
• Bill Miner, At Large
• Peter Salvatore Petralia, At Large
• Gregory Segal, At Large
  

Meeting updates and brief reports

After each meeting, the committee provides a brief report. This is part of our commitment to making the work of the committee as transparent as possible.

November 25, 2025 — Meeting report (brief)

At this meeting, the Guild focused on near-term venue upgrades - specifically the current project to refresh the painting and update the flooring. A project-focused subcommittee has been working with City staff to confirm what the allocated funds can be used for and to review options for the best use of available resources.

The Guild also discussed longer-term goals to increase flexibility in the performance space - such as eventually removing the raised stage and investing in easy-to-move risers and chairs to support a true black box theatre experience. Given current funding limitations, the committee agreed to begin with the most achievable improvements: painting updates and new flooring.

The committee also noted a potential donation of high-quality flooring materials through a member connection. The Guild intends to accept this donation if the materials meet City standards and are available in colours aligned with the committee’s preferences.

Finally, the Guild agreed to formally set up a Communications Subcommittee to strengthen public information-sharing and visibility.

Next meeting: The next meeting will take place in the new year (see the 2026 schedule below).

2026 Meeting schedule

• Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Workplan

The committee follows a workplan that has been developed in collaboration with the city. For more details, please refer to the Nanaimo Performing Arts Guild Work Plan (PDF).