Selkirk College is permanently closing the Victoria Street Campus at the end of the current academic year as it continues to address financial pressures from federal restrictions on international student enrolment.
Guided by its strategic plan, Land Learning & Legacy: Our Path to 2040, the college is taking steps to mitigate an anticipated ongoing budget shortfall of $3–4 million in 2026–2027 and build lasting financial stability.
“The Board of Governors recognizes that closing the Victoria Street Campus is a difficult but necessary step to ensure the long-term sustainability of Selkirk College,” says Board Chair Amed Naqvi. “We’ve made this decision because we’re committed to managing our finances responsibly, while making sure we’re offering programs that help students build strong careers. And we’re confident that Selkirk College will keep inspiring and preparing learners to meet the changing needs of our region, today and for generations to come.”
After the campus closure, the college will suspend intakes in the Ceramics, Textile Arts, and Blacksmithing programs housed at the campus. All students currently enrolled in these programs will be supported through to graduation. The college is working closely with unions and impacted employees.
“This has been a very hard decision, but the cost to deliver these programs and maintain a standalone campus just isn’t feasible,” says President Maggie Matear. “The program capacity limits and the space and infrastructure requirements put financial sustainability out of reach.”
Selkirk College began operating the Victoria Street Campus in 2006, when it absorbed the Kootenay School of the Arts (KSA). The arts school, established in 1958, was facing the threat of closure.
“While the college’s chapter as the stewards of KSA is coming to a close,” continues Matear, “we’re confident its 67-year legacy of local arts training will continue through other innovative channels in the community.”
Along with the Victoria Street Campus, the college maintains two campuses in Nelson and campuses in Castlegar, Trail and Grand Forks.
Media and External Relations
Please contact Director of Communications & Public Engagement Maggie Keczan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this impact students currently enrolled at the Victoria Street Campus?
Selkirk College will support all current students through to graduation. We are committed to ensuring students complete their studies with minimal disruption.
What happens to students enrolled in fall 2026 programming at Victoria Street Campus?
If anyone has already enrolled in fall 2026 programs at Victoria Street Campus, we will directly contact these students and reimburse them.
Why is Selkirk College closing the Victoria Street Campus?
Selkirk College is closing the Victoria Street Campus due to ongoing financial challenges. The cost of operating a standalone campus for a small number of students is no longer feasible, even at full program capacity.
This decision comes after careful evaluation of program delivery costs, graduate outcomes and overall institutional financial health.
How was this decision made?
The Board of Governors made this decision after carefully reviewing a recommendation from the president.
In reaching this recommendation, the president examined detailed and comparative financial data, facility needs, labour market outlook and graduate outcomes. At every step, the focus was on supporting students, employees and the long-term success of Selkirk College.
When will the campus officially close?
The campus will permanently close at the end of the current academic year, after current students have completed their program.
We’ll share a specific closure date with students and employees as details are finalized.
What is causing the financial challenges at Selkirk College?
Changes to federal immigration policy have limited the number of international students that colleges can recruit, dramatically reducing revenues in a very short period. Selkirk College is anticipating an ongoing $3–4 million budget shortfall in 2026–2027.
Which programs are offered at the Victoria Street Campus?
This campus houses Blacksmithing, Ceramics and Textile Arts programs, in addition to a small number of related community education programs.
How many employees will the closure of the Victoria Street Campus impact?
Ten of our colleagues will be affected, including full-time, part-time and short-term employees.
What is happening to the faculty and staff who work at the Victoria Street Campus?
We recognize that this is a difficult time for our colleagues. Selkirk College is working closely with unions and the affected employees to support transitions wherever possible, in accordance with provisions of our collective agreements.
Our goal is to approach these changes with compassion, transparency and fairness, ensuring that everyone is aware of their options during this challenging time.
Why don’t you move the programs to a different campus?
Relocating programs to another campus might seem like a good solution, but it would come with significant costs and wouldn’t solve the underlying financial challenges of offering these programs.
Our focus needs to be on long-term sustainability and solutions that strengthen the college as a whole, so we can serve our region well into the future.
What does this mean for the Kootenay School of the Arts (KSA)?
Kootenay School of the Arts was founded in 1958 and became a part of Selkirk College in 2006. While Selkirk College’s role as steward of KSA is ending, we are confident that KSA’s legacy of arts training in the region will continue through innovative approaches and community partnerships.
Why are the costs per student so much higher for these programs?
The nature of these programs requires small class sizes (between 8–15 students), making it hard to achieve any economies of scale. In addition, the cost of equipment, supplies and operations is very high on a per-student basis.
Will community arts programming still be offered at this location?
Arts-related and other community education programs will no longer be offered at this location after the end of this academic year. Several public and private sector organizations offer a range of arts training in the community.
How will closing the campus help address the financial shortfall?
Maintaining a campus for a maximum of 33 students is not financially sustainable. It puts considerable strain on our operational budget and staff resources. Having a smaller overall campus footprint allows the college to reduce expenses and increase the vibrancy and service levels at remaining campuses.
What will happen to the building?
Any questions about the building's future use can be directed to the City of Nelson, which owns the building.
Will these arts programs be offered again in the future?
There are no plans for the college to offer these certificate programs again. However, we encourage community-led efforts to develop innovative approaches to continuing arts education in the region.
Is the college planning to commemorate KSA’s legacy?
We recognize its legacy and hope the arts community, where KSA began, may find ways to continue its contributions. The college supports and welcomes community-led efforts to keep arts education thriving in Nelson, and we remain open to supporting community-led initiatives where feasible.
How can the community provide input or get more information on the closure?
While meaningful consultation is always our goal, in this case, urgent financial realities meant a decision about the campus closure had to be made and could not be revisited. We understand that this is disappointing, and we are committed to keeping everyone informed as we move through the transition process. We provide ongoing updates in our employee newsletter and in the News section of our website.