Nanaimo offers many opportunities for residents to learn and expand their perspectives, often for free or at low cost.
Helpful Links
All Ages
Reconciliation Theatre Society offers affordable drop-in theatre workshops for high-school aged youth. Led by Artistic Director Tom Rokeby, a certified BC Teacher with 20 years of experience teaching high-school drama in Nanaimo, participants can develop and strengthen theatre skills while building community in the arts. Workshop topics include improv, scene and stage, character study, and voice and movement. Sessions are held every 2nd and 4th Thursday from 7:15-8:45 PM at The OV Arts Centre, 25 Victoria Road.
The Nanaimo Art Gallery provides free access to programs such as Saturday Studios and Youth Art Collective through their Art for All Fund. To register, complete the form on their website and the gallery will set up free program registration.
Vancouver Island Regional Library: Three locations in Nanaimo that offer programming, free borrowing of countless types of materials, and access to a wide variety of technology.
Vancouver Island Regional Library provides Creativebug, a virtual art and craft education resource.
Visit – Nanaimo Art Gallery. Admission by donation, free for those who identify as Indigenous.
Sarah Mclachlan School Of Music: These classes are open to kids, teens or adults who are looking to advance their musical learning. With over 50 free classes in 12 different categories, enroll yourself in a free course today. Learn a new instrument, music notes, theory, singing, or more.
Children
Vancouver Island Regional Library offers Kids Literacy Kits to borrow: Each kit comes in a backpack or plastic tote and contains books, CDs, DVDs, and/or toys.
Vancouver Island Regional Library provides a number of online Kids Learning Resources, perfect for homework help or homeschooling.
Nanaimo Science: Offers free outdoor activities for families, as well as free sponsored programs for children indoors. Follow their social media for updates about free events.
Lego Canada: Free magazine subscription mailed to the child’s home 5 times a year. Best for ages 5 to 9.
Teens
Nanaimo Art Gallery: CØD3 Youth Art Collective | Second Semester – Nanaimo Art Gallery. An art collective meeting once a week for creative teens ages 15 – 19 to practice their artistic skills, learn about the art world, and work with professional artists. Full bursaries available by emailing yvonne@nanaimoartgallery.ca.
Literacy Central Vancouver Island: Youth programs & tutoring: Free tutoring sessions, group activities, and workshops offered.
Jax Mac Foundation: Offers grants and scholarships for youth aged 10-18.
BC Housing Education Awards Program: Offers post-secondary scholarships to people living in BC Housing properties or who receive BC Housing rental supplements.
Adults
Literacy Central Vancouver Island: English Conversation groups & tutoring: Provides adults with free opportunities to work on their English listening and speaking skills in a group environment.
Literacy Central Vancouver Island: Tutoring for reading, writing, math, computers: Offers free opportunities for clients to improve their basic skills.
Tillicum Lelum ADULT BASIC EDUCATION LEVEL TWO & THREE CLASSES: Provides Adult Aboriginal Learners with an alternative to attending the ABE program offered at Vancouver Island University with the same accreditation.
Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo 