SUBMITTED BY ARTSPRING
ArtSpring’s 2025/26 season promises to be one of its most ambitious and resonant yet — a curated collection of live performances, immersive residencies, community events and visual art exhibitions that dive deep into the transformative power of the arts.
Building on the success of the 2024/25 season, which went “wider” and experienced more sold-out or close to sold-out shows than ever, ArtSpring is now inviting audiences to “go deeper” this year with programming that spans classical music, contemporary dance, Indigenous theatre, world music, film and genre-bending jazz — all from Canadian artists at the top of their game.
“Salt Spring’s cultural spirit is one of curiosity, connection and imagination,” said executive and artistic director Howard Jang. “This season reflects those values, while also honouring our roots and welcoming new voices into the room.”
The season opens with major solo performances by classical piano stars Charles Richard-Hamelin and Angela Cheng, as well as the return of the popular Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival now extended to two days of different screenings.
In November, acclaimed Polaris-winning musician Jeremy Dutcher takes the stage in a concert described as “reverent and radical” — one of many highlights in a season that centres music as both memory and movement.
A key innovation this year is ArtSpring’s Immersive Experience Series — multi-day residencies that invite artists to stay longer, engage more deeply and collaborate with the community. Three headline residencies anchor the season: Corey Payette’s Les Filles du Roi, Measha Brueggergosman-Lee’s Black History Month residency and The Ostara Project, an all-female jazz collective featured during International Women’s Week.
“This isn’t just about watching a show,” said communications and donor engagement manager Kirsten Bolton. “It’s about more extended conversations, workshops, youth outreach and shared experiences that linger.”
Other season highlights include the debut of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet at ArtSpring, the modern operatic and theatrical tribute to the music of Leonard Cohen in Take This Dance, and the hilarious off-Broadway Indigenous musical Bear Grease. The season closes with jazz phenom Michael Kaeshammer and a lively Treasure Fair concert featuring Van Django.
Six MET Operas: Live in HD are back, including traditional favourites like La Bohème and a modern new opera El Último Sueño de Frida y Diago, which tells the colourful and passionate story of Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diago Rivera.
ArtSpring continues to prioritize access with $10 youth tickets, a robust Theatre Angel program offering subsidized admission and new pricing that includes GST up front. The organization’s Roundtable Committee — a community volunteer legacy of its 25th anniversary — will also be hosting six community-driven events this season, including a Halloween family dance, a Pecha Kucha night and a Salt Spring Talent Showcase.
“As always, our goal is to be more than a venue,” said Jang. “We want to be a gathering place, a creative heartbeat, and a source of joy, challenge and belonging.”
ArtSpring is thrilled to announce season partner sponsorship has evolved into Island Savings and Ganges Village Marketplace as the annual supporters of the season.
Whether you’re a longtime ArtSpring supporter or discovering it for the first time, this season is an open invitation. “Come to be inspired, stay to be transformed” is the season tagline.
Season Launch Sneak Peek Event is on Thursday, Aug. 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. ArtSpring members have a one-week advance purchase window starting Tuesday, Sept. 2. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
For the full lineup, ticket details and updates, visit artspring.ca.