Connected and engaged communities through the arts and culture are happier and healthier communities.
Access to the arts
The Port Theatre Society increases access to the performing arts by collaborating with many organizations to reduce financial, physical, and cultural barriers. Thanks to the generous support of our donors and funders, we provide complimentary community tickets to Spotlight and Discovery Series events, so more people can enjoy our theatre.
The theatre is more than bricks and mortar; it has been the beating heart of our cultural landscape. From its inception, the community had a vision to transform their city into a dynamic hub of artistic expression, a blank canvas for imagination, and a safe harbour where stories and experiences come alive.
On our stage, countless performances have stirred our souls, challenged our perspectives, and ignited our passions. As a community performing arts centre, we are a vessel that carries the dreams of aspiring artists, a platform that amplifies the voices of our community, and a sanctuary where the arts flourish.
Within our spaces, great and enduring friendships have been forged, multigenerational traditions kept alive, and thousands upon thousands of people have been brought together and built cherished memories that resonate long after the theatre has gone dark.
Community Partnerships
We offer our sincere appreciation to our community partners:
Nanaimo Art Gallery
Nanaimo Museum
Federation of BC Writers
CHLY 101.7 FM
Around Town Tellers
Literacy Central Vancouver Island
Nanaimo African Heritage Society
Nanaimo Jazz Festival
TheatreOne
Storytellers of Canada
Crimson Coast Dance Society
Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society
Social Service Agencies
The Port Theatre Society provides complimentary tickets to the following social services agencies on Vancouver Island in the Regional District of Nanaimo and District of Lantzville. These agencies distribute the tickets to clients who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend live performances. 1,480 tickets were made available in 2019 to the following agencies and groups.
Better At Home Program – Nanaimo Family Life Assoc.
Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Central Van. Island
Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island
Brain Injury Society, Nanaimo
CMHA Mid-Island Branch – The Social Centre
Cedar School & Community Enhancement Society
Cedar Seniors Drop In
Central VI Multicultural Society
Clay Tree Society, Bridges Program
Clements Centre Society
Clinton – Theatre Angels
C.M.H.A. Mid Island Branch
Dallen’s Dream Team Society
Eden Gardens
Forward House Community Society, Parksville
Haven Society
Hepatitis C Society, Mid Island
Heron’s Nest Respite Guest House
Island Crisis Care Society
Island Deaf & Hard of Hearing Society
J. Garnons Williams Ltd. (was Explorer Program)
John Howard Society, Nanaimo Region
Kaitlin’s Chain of Hearts Society
Kiwanis Village Nanaimo
Kw’Umut Lelum
Literacy Circle
Nanaimo 7-10 Club
Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre
Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society
Nanaimo Association for Community Living
Nanaimo Brain Injury Society
Nanaimo Child Development Centre
Nanaimo Citizen Advocacy Assoc.
Nanaimo Community Hospice Society
Nanaimo Disability Resource Centre
Nanaimo Family Life Association
Nanaimo Harbour City Seniors
Nanaimo Organization for the Vision Impaired (NOVI)
NARSF Programs Ltd.
N.Y.S.A. – One Stop Youth Centre
Open Minds Open Windows Society
Pacifica Seniors Lodge
Pamela’s Home Society
Parent Support Services of BC
People for a Healthy Community on Gabriola Society
Port Alberni Assoc. for Community Living
Skaana Community Resources Ltd.
Snuneymuxw First Nation
Supporting Advocates in Leadership
Take A Hike Foundation
Tillicum Lelum – Urban Aboriginal Friendship Centre
Tillicum Lelum – Men’s Wellness Survivors
Vancouver Island University – Clemente Course
VIHA- Mental Health and Addiction Services
VIHA- Youth & Family Addiction
Youth 20/20 Can Project
Wesley Street Social Centre / V.I. Mental Health Soc