CVI Centre for the Arts - Nanaimo

The primary mission of Central Vancouver Island Centre for the Arts – Nanaimo (CAN) is dedicated to the acquisition, establishment, and maintenance of arts facilities within the Central Vancouver Island region. We seek to develop partnerships with arts and cultural organizations and to build relationships with businesses and all levels of governments for the acquisition, establishment, and maintenance of arts facilities.


Since August 2001, CAN has managed the Nanaimo Arts Centre at 150 Commercial Street, which houses the downtown Nanaimo Art Gallery, and provides offices and meeting spaces for several other arts-related and not-for-profit organizations. Our present tenants include:  the Nanaimo Art Gallery, the Mid-Island Science, Technology and Innovation Council (MISTIC), Theatre One, The Assembly of BC Arts Councils, Vancouver Island Symphony, the Nanaimo Community Archives, and Crimson Coast Dance Society.

After much discussion with many performing arts and cultural groups, it was determined that Nanaimo needed a small, affordable, rehearsal and performance space for theatre, dance, film and music organizations. In May 2008, with the assistance of CAN and the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership Society, the City of Nanaimo acquired Nanaimo Centre Stage (NCS), a 118-year-old building at 25 Victoria Road, with a former history of being a church, a series of nightclubs and then a church again. The building was extensively renovated with a new stage and sprung floor, rehearsal spaces, dressing rooms, set storage, administrative offices, box office and other amenities. In November 2008, Nanaimo Centre Stage was officially opened.