REIMAGINE NANAIMO

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Our vibrant city, view from Mt. Benson

Our City, Our Voices.

REIMAGINE NANAIMO is our opportunity to create a collective vision and road map for our future City. Together, we will identify our strengths to appreciate what we have today, and look forward to new opportunities to strengthen and grow our community. As our population grows to 100,000 residents and beyond, we need to collectively imagine how our spaces and places evolve to better meet the needs of our natural environment and of all who live here.

What kind of city will Nanaimo be in 20 years and beyond?

Our community plans will be built with ideas from individuals, groups, and organizations through their participation in REIMAGINE NANAIMO. To be successful, we need voices from across our community to share in the conversation. A key aim of this process is to be accessible to everyone – regardless of your age, your time constraints, or your knowledge base – it's easy to be part of building our community vision. We are committed to cultural safety and humility, LGBTQ2S+, accessibility and inclusiveness. The plans that we create together will guide the decisions that shape our City over the coming years.

Nanaimo is for all of us. Let's reimagine our future – together.

Our City, Our Voices.

REIMAGINE NANAIMO is our opportunity to create a collective vision and road map for our future City. Together, we will identify our strengths to appreciate what we have today, and look forward to new opportunities to strengthen and grow our community. As our population grows to 100,000 residents and beyond, we need to collectively imagine how our spaces and places evolve to better meet the needs of our natural environment and of all who live here.

What kind of city will Nanaimo be in 20 years and beyond?

Our community plans will be built with ideas from individuals, groups, and organizations through their participation in REIMAGINE NANAIMO. To be successful, we need voices from across our community to share in the conversation. A key aim of this process is to be accessible to everyone – regardless of your age, your time constraints, or your knowledge base – it's easy to be part of building our community vision. We are committed to cultural safety and humility, LGBTQ2S+, accessibility and inclusiveness. The plans that we create together will guide the decisions that shape our City over the coming years.

Nanaimo is for all of us. Let's reimagine our future – together.

Creative Community Contest

This contest is now closed.

Thank you to all who participated!

For a look at submissions, please scroll down.


Express your ideas for Nanaimo's future through photo, drawing, painting, collage, poetry & more! How do you REIMAGINE Nanaimo?

The REIMAGINE NANAIMO Creative Community Contest encourages creative exploration, idea generation, and fun. Submissions from people of all ages and abilities are welcome and you can choose any media you love! Head outside with your camera or sketchbook, or sit around the table with members of your household to talk about the future, play and create, and send us the result!

What you need to know for the contest:

  • You can respond to any or all of the "6 challenge themes" (see these below)
  • Submissions will be accepted up to Monday, November 30, 2020
  • To enter, please review the full terms and conditions.
  • By submitting an entry you are agreeing to the terms and conditions.
  • All ages and abilities are invited to submit; however, please note that submissions by children 12 years or younger must be by a consenting adult on behalf of the minor.
  • All works submitted must be the creator's original work.
  • Submissions will be posted publicly here on getinvolvednanaimo.ca. 
  • All eligible submissions can enter the Contest Prize Draw for a chance to win a $500 gift card to a choice of ONE local Nanaimo: electronics store OR bike shop OR grocery store. The draw is scheduled for early December.

The 6 Challenge Themes:

  • Theme 1: Our Environment & Climate Change
    • Show us your idea for making Nanaimo greener or reducing the impacts of climate change!
  • Theme 2: Our Parks, Recreation, & Culture
    • Show us your great ideas for parks, recreation, and culture in Nanaimo!
  • Theme 3: Our Social Equity, Inclusiveness, & Accessibility
    • What is the heart of Nanaimo? Is it a place? Is it an experience?
  • Theme 4: Our Economy & Employment
    • Show us what a thriving economy looks like for Nanaimo's future! What jobs are there? What types of businesses? Where do you work?
  • Theme 5: Our Sustainable & Active Transportation
    • Show us how you imagine getting around Nanaimo in the future!
  • Theme 6: Our Neighbourhoods & Housing
    • Show us your future dream neighbourhood in Nanaimo! What defines its character? What kinds of housing are there?

How to Submit Your Entry:

OPTION 1: Upload below (on the REIMAGINE NANAIMO site):

  • Click in the field below (where it says "Start your story by providing a title...")
  • Provide a title for your work
  • Then provide a brief written description (100 words max) in the larger field that says 'Type something'
  • Upload your creative work. The max file upload size for this platform is 50 MB (larger files will take longer to upload)
  • To submit an image, click the () icon from the toolbar in the window below and select  an image file to upload from your device.
  • For video submissions, click on the video () icon in the window below, and provide a URL link or embedded code for your video file. Please note, your video file cannot be uploaded directly here, it must be hosted elsewhere (e.g. YouTube or another platform). For a step-by-step tutorial on how to create an account and video upload to YouTube to obtain a link this way, please see this article.
  • After your upload is complete, you'll receive an email confirmation with instructions for the draw entry

OPTION 2: Email to reimagine@nanaimo.ca

  • Send an email to reimagine@nanaimo.ca with your submission including: 1. Title, 2. Brief Description (100 words or less), and 3. File attachment of your creative work
  • Please note: File attachments cannot be a .zip file, and max file size is 10 MB.
  • You will receive an email response within 2-5 business days to confirm your submission and provide the instructions for the contest prize draw entry
  • Trouble shooting: If you get a bounce back email, first check that your email file size does not exceed 10 MB, and that the file type is not a folder or a .zip file. If you are still not able to submit successfully, submit a plain text email (no attachments or files of any kind) to the address above requesting further assistance, or call 250-755-4464.

Creative Inspiration:

Looking Forward (by Sebastian Abboud)Sebastian Abboud is a designer and illustrator based in Nanaimo. In addition to projects with clients and collaborators from around the globe, Sebastian teaches at Vancouver Island University, inspiring next generations of designers. As a new dad to twin boys, and as someone who is actively involved in the community, we know Sebastian is invested in the future of Nanaimo.

Thank you for your Creative Community Contest entry. 

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.