Kamloops is absolutely overflowing with ways to bring more arts and culture into your life this year, whether you’re arts-curious, a dabbler, or already are neck-deep into paint splatter and rehearsal schedules.
The Kamloops Arts Council is a fantastic hub of all things artistic and has great ways to start the year off to a positively creative start!
Two new gallery exhibitions open Jan. 13. Disconnect: Remembering the Red Bridge in Time by the Indigenous Resurgence Project at the Alcove and Vault gallery at the Kamloops Arts Council offers a powerful reflection on place, memory, and loss, while In Progress showcases work by TRU art students, giving us a glimpse into what’s bubbling up from the next generation of local artists.
If showcasing your own art is something you’re more in tune with, Art Exposed might be exactly the push you need. This juried exhibition is open to artists of all ages and experience levels, and it welcomes both 2D and 3D work. This annual event is for new and experienced artists and the deadline to submit is Feb. 15, with the exhibition running March 6 to 14. Many local artists have gotten their feet wet (paintbrushes wet?) in gallery displays at Art Exposed.
Another excellent way to get your art out into the world is through the Art in Public Spaces program. Submissions are now open for a three-month display in the Sagebrush Theatre lobby starting in late January 2026. This juried call is for 2D artworks in a range of mediums, and it’s a fantastic chance to have your work seen by thousands of people who might not usually step into a gallery. The deadline for submitting your works is Jan. 10.
If you’re more into the idea of hands-on learning, the Arts Council’s winter classes are a great excuse to block off some creative time just for you. Mixed Media Magic with instructor Alime starts in early January, with a Wednesday evening class for ages 18+ and a Friday option for ages 55+. Oil painting classes with instructor Zeinab are also starting up. You don’t need to have buckets of experience; you just need a bit of curiosity and a willingness to dive in and get a little messy.
Theatre folks, there’s something for you, too! Kamloops Players are holding auditions for their fifth annual Spring into Comedy production on Jan 10 and 11. They’re a fully volunteer-run organization that actively encourages both inexperienced and seasoned performers to get hooked on live theatre. There are eight roles available for their coming production for those ages 20 to 70.
And if professional theatre is calling your name, Western Canada Theatre is also putting out a call for performers for the return of A Broad’s Way Cabaret, happening March 6 and 7, in celebration of International Women’s Day. They’re looking for short acts inspired by equity, inclusion, and women’s achievements, across disciplines like theatre, dance, music, comedy, spoken word, and visual art. Performers must be 16+, and the deadline to submit is January 16.
And if you’re itching to be the next Kevin Smith, filmmakers and phone-camera aficionados take heed! The Kamloops Independent Short Shorts Film Festival is officially open for submissions! Films must be five minutes or less and created by local filmmakers or shot within the TNRD. The deadline is Jan. 26, and it’s a brilliant excuse to gather with your like-minded buddies and finally finish that short film idea you’ve been thinking about doing since forever.
A more creative you for the new year doesn’t have to mean reinventing yourself from scratch. Sometimes it’s just about saying yes to one small but amazing thing and seeing where it leads. For more information about all these fabulous ways to get cultural, check out Kamloops Arts Council online at https://kamloopsarts.ca for your central source of all things artistic here in Kamloops.