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Discover living in Cowichan

Explore the arts

The CVRD’s Arts and Culture Division operates the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre. Which fosters collaboration, networking and partnerships between regional artists and arts organizations. The division also supports Cowichan Culture, the “go to” website for art in Cowichan. It includes an events calendar, an artist directory and a resource guide.

Cowichan information and resources

Visual arts

World-renowned painters, potters, weavers, jewellers, woodcrafters and sculptors find inspiration in the Cowichan. Five arts councils and many organizations represent local visual artists, including:

First Nations arts and culture

First Nations culture, art, history, traditions, food and ceremonies contribute to the rich tapestry of the region. From iconic Cowichan sweaters to the totems that grace Duncan’s streets to basketry, jewellery and carvings, the creativity, history and passion of local Indigenous artists is evident in many locations, including galleries, studios and museums in Cowichan. Traditional dance, drumming and storytelling are the focal point of First Nations gatherings throughout the region.

Performance venues

Cowichan’s many performance venues play host to live theatre, dance and music productions:

Professional productions mounted at Chemainus Theatre win accolades from 70,000 patrons annually.
The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre is one of the busiest professional presenting theatres in Western Canada.
Ladysmith Little Theatre showcases a full season of amateur theatre productions.
Since re-opening in 2010, the Osbourne Bay Pub, in Crofton, BC, has become the Cowichan’s ‘Musician’s music venue,’ featuring live music and live jazz.
Amateur theater company, The Mercury Players, has been adding to the cultural scene in Cowichan region since 1999.
The Duncan Showroom in downtown Duncan features outstanding musical performers from across Canada.
The T. Gill Bunch Centre for Performing Arts at Brentwood College is a teaching centre that also hosts theatre, dance and musical performances.

Festivals and events

The Islands Folk Festival at Providence Farm has been going strong for more than 30 years. While the 39 days of July makes the downtown streets in Duncan come alive throughout the summer. Laketown Ranch, outside scenic Lake Cowichan, is home to Sunfest, one of the biggest country music festivals in BC. Throughout the summer Chemainus hosts weekend music festivals ranging from jazz, to bluegrass. Which has one of the most renowned outdoor mural collections in the world.

Each summer, Cobble Hill celebrates Music in the Park, and Ladysmith hosts Arts on the Avenue. For the more adventurous, Windfest at Nitinah Lake features Vancouver Island’s only kiteboarding and music festival. The Koksilah Music Festival brings an eclectic range of performers to South Cowichan in September. And during the holiday season, people travel from far and wide to see the Ladysmith Festival of Lights.

Want more info on festivals, events and entertainment venues?

Visit the events calendar at Tourism Cowichan
Check out the Cowichan Culture events guide
Read through the Valley Voice to find out about local events
Peruse the What’s On calendar for information about what’s happening in Cowichan
Talk to the Visitor Centres in Duncan, Ladysmith, Chemainus and Lake Cowichan about local events