The vision for the City’s cultural development is: “Victoria radiates creativity and thrives as a home to creative people and everyday artistic encounters.”
Victoria has a vibrant and eclectic arts and culture community. The City is home to world-class performing arts, museums and festivals to local authors and artisans. The contrast of heritage charm and modern urban living is part of what makes Victoria one of the most unique and special places in Canada.
The City has been working with local arts and cultural groups for over 45 years. The City has supported initiatives such as:
- multicultural festivals
- special events and film
- Canada Day celebrations
- public art
- Victoria's Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate programs
- Indigenous Artist in Residence and Artist in Residence programs
- the annual City of Victoria Butler Book Prize and Children's Book Prizes
The following YouTube video conveys a glimpse of Victoria's vibrant arts and culture scene.
Create Victoria: Arts and Culture Master Plan
What do art and culture organizations, artists and creative entrepreneurs need to be successful? And how can the City support this vision and needs?
The City has developed an Arts and Culture Master Plan as a framework for the City's future vision, policy and action plan for arts and culture. Titled Create Victoria, the Arts and Culture Master Plan is a guiding document that includes a set of goals, strategies and actions to realize Victoria’s creative potential and guide investment over the next five years. The plan continues to elevate the City as a destination for creativity, innovation and excellence in the arts, with a focus on four strategic priorities:
- Connecting People and Spaces [PDF/2.8MB]
- Building Cultural Leadership [PDF/2.8MB]
- Telling Our Story [PDF/2.8MB]
- Being Future-Ready [PDF/2.8MB]
Learn how the plan may benefit you in the “What's In It for Me?” fact sheet series:
- I am an Artist [PDF/2.4MB]
- I am an Arts Organization [PDF/2.4MB]
- I am a Cultural Facility Owner/Manager [PDF/2.4MB]
- I am a Resident [PDF/2.4MB]
- I am a Business [PDF/2.4MB]
View the Create Victoria Arts and Culture Master Plan [PDF/8.7MB] and the Create Victoria Implementation Framework [PDF/555KB].
Background
Public input informed the development of the Draft Create Victoria Arts and Culture Master Plan [PDF/9.9MB]to align ideas, people, and resources around a shared vision. The community had an opportunity to view the draft plan and provide feedback in person, by email or by completing an online survey.
Staff presented to Council on September 22, 2022 with a five-year progress report on Create Victoria Arts and Culture Master Plan and a request to extend Create Victoria to 2027. Council endorsed the report and the extension of Create Victoria for another five years. Check out the Create Victoria Progress Report [PDF/1.8MB] to see action items implemented to date.
Arts and Culture Resources
ArtsVictoria.ca Online Directory
The Arts Victoria Online Directory is a go-to source for arts and culture in the Capital City.
The Arts Victoria inventory maps out more than 1,000 City-owned and community-run arts and culture assets in Victoria. The online directory can help you find art galleries, performance venues and dance or music lessons.
You can add venues, organizations, businesses and public art to our culture map. To learn more about Victoria's arts and culture scene, visit the Arts Victoria Online Directory.
Call to Community Programmers - 2024/2025 Roster
The City of Victoria is updating its 2024/2025 roster of pre-qualified local community programmers to activate Victoria public spaces throughout the year. The City holds a similiar call for musicians.
Applicants must be based in the Capital Region, which includes the Gulf Islands.
Those selected for the roster will have the opportunity to participate in activities at outdoor spaces such as City parks, the Cameron Bandshell, Centennial Square as well as pop-up locations at Fisherman’s Wharf, Government Street, Broad Street, Songhees Park Plaza, Fort Common and Ship Point.
Examples of community programming can include children's programs, dance and fitness classes, choir sing-alongs, guitar jams, and arts & crafts. If your idea is not listed, we still encourage you to apply.
Community programmer roster submissions will be assessed on the quality and creativity of the proposed activity, its accessibility to the public and the applicant’s track record in delivering similar, successful programs to the community. Applications will be reviewed by City staff.
Application Form
Please complete the Community Programmers Roster Application Form below. Community Programmers Roster Application Form
Deadline
The deadline for roster submissions is Sunday, December 17, 2023. Successful applicants will be contacted in February 2024.
Online Information Session
An online information session was held on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for potential applicants to learn more about the City's Community Programmers Roster and ask questions.
For more information, contact the Culture Team at culture@victoria.ca.