Creative Economy
The Creative Life
Port Alberni is a natural draw for artists, designers, and creatives working in a variety of media across multiple artistic disciplines. Master carvers from the northwest coast are creating cedar art and fine jewelry in Alberni Valley, and the Alberni Valley Makerspace provides equipment, materials and space to explore the convergence of art + tech. Live theatre productions and local dance schools have earned provincial recognition in their fields.
Creative assets include the Capitol Theatre, Alberni District Secondary School Auditorium, the Alberni Valley Museum, the Community Arts Council and venues at the Alberni Valley Fall Fairgrounds. Annual creative events include the Five Acre Shaker, Youth Battle of the Bands, Family Arts Festival and Solstice Arts Festival.
Meet Other Creatives
Contact us for connections to like-minded groups, organizations and professionals working in the creative economy.
Port Alberni Artists Reflect
Creative Industry Cluster
Coastal Flow Creative Studio & Gallery:
Fibre and glass art, retail store, and workshops.
TGT Studios
Owned and operated by 3rd generation artist and woodworker Kyle Miller, TGT Studios specializes in one of a kind furniture and clockworks.
West Coast Weavers & Spinners Guild
Meetings at Arrowsmith Baptist Church.
Key Assets
Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley
The Community Arts Council (est. 1965) is a non-profit organization providing arts programs, events and opportunities for artists to connect. The society was founded in 1977 and is located at the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Alberni Valley Makerspace
An inclusive community hub and entrepreneurial incubator for makers in the Alberni Valley. Provides access to tools, resources, lessons, manufacturing/prototyping equipment and services, office space rentals, and a shared workspace. Operated by a non-profit society.
Capitol Theatre
The Capitol Theatre is owned and operated by the award-winning Portal Players Dramatic Society and located in the Rotary Arts District. The historic building was constructed in 1936 and features a mural by local artist Shayne Lloyd.
Alberni Art Rave Society
Dedicated to supporting the arts and artists in Port Alberni. Provides the Alberni Valley with free, family-oriented, collaborative art experiences as well as an annual bursary for an Alberni District Secondary School graduate pursuing post-secondary studies in the the Arts.
Affordable Studios and Housing
Port Alberni offers high value for an investment in housing, commercial space and property. Its central location and proximity to markets in Victoria, Vancouver and the lower mainland offers opportunity for creative investors to build a studio and client base at the same time. Find residential and commercial Realtors and learn more about relocating to Port Alberni.
Rotary Arts District
The Rotary Arts District includes Argyle Street from 10th Avenue to the Harbour Quay. The Capitol Theatre, Savoy Theatre, City Hall, Harbour Quay, Maritime Discovery Centre and various murals are located in the District.
Alberni Arts Hub
Facebook group for local artists and arts supporters to connect and share news.
Premiere Filming Locations
Since 2022, Port Alberni has hosted 6 film crews. View the location catalogue from the Vancouver Island North Film Commmission.
