The Horizon - August 27, 2025
- Downtown Duncan
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
What is on the Horizon for the Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area? Read below to get caught up on the day-to-day, upcoming events, and news from Members.
In this issue:
New Marketing Materials for Businesses That Accept Downtown Duncan Dollars
If your business accepts Downtown Duncan Dollars (DDDs), we’ve created new marketing collateral to help you promote it! You can now request a window cling and/or a point-of-sale sticker to display prominently at your business.
Also, don’t forget: if you accept Downtown Duncan Dollars, you can indicate this on your business listing on our website. Just log into the member portal, and in your profile you’ll see a toggle to mark that you accept Downtown Duncan Dollars. Once switched on, your business will appear in the online directory of participating locations—this is where the QR code on the DDDs themselves directs customers.
Not sure and want to learn more? Check out this explainer to learn all about Downtown Duncan Dollars.
Let us know if you'd like a window cling or sticker—we’re happy to drop them off or set one aside for you!
Interested in Joining the DDBIA Board?
We’re looking for engaged and enthusiastic members to join the Downtown Duncan BIA Board of Directors!
Board commitments are minimal — just 11 monthly meetings per year held at the DDBIA office. Experience serving on a board that uses Robert’s Rules of Order is considered an asset.
There are also a number of committees you can choose to participate in, depending on your interests. Committee meetings vary in frequency and may occur monthly, quarterly, or bi-annually, depending on the committee’s focus.
This is a great opportunity to help shape the direction of the DDBIA and have your voice heard on decisions that impact Downtown Duncan.
If you're interested or would like to learn more, please contact Executive Director Thea Hitchcock at or call 250-715-1700.
Call for Submissions: Call to Artists for Friendship Square – Hiiye’yutul’ Public Washroom Art
The City is excited to announce a new Call for Submissions for a public art project on the new washroom building in Friendship Square – Hiiye’yutul’! We’re inviting artists to submit proposals to create a mural based on the theme: “Be Friendly with Everyone.” This is a paid opportunity to design and paint a bright, vibrant, community-focused piece for a public washroom in the heart of the city.
Project Details:
Artist Fee: $5,000(Includes design, up to two rounds of revisions, and painting of the wall)
Wall Space: Approximately 100 square feet (across 1 large and 3 smaller panels)
Who Can Apply:
The City is prioritizing emerging artists based on Vancouver Island with less than 5 years of professional experience.More experienced artists may apply if they are collaborating with at least one emerging artist as part of the team.
Submission Requirements:
Cover letter
Project concept (basic drawing or written vision for the space)
Up to 20 images of past work (submitted in person on USB or attached as single PDF under 20 MB).
References
Proposed timeline/schedule
Statement confirming willingness to obtain insurance for the painting portion of the project
Deadline to submit proposals is September 29th, 2025. Submissions can be emailed to larissa@duncan.ca or paper submissions can be dropped off at City Hall with attention: Larissa Barry-Thibodeau, City Planner.
For more information please see the City of Duncan's website post and the full Call for Submissions.
Join Our Private Members-Only Facebook Group
Prefer to get your DDBIA updates on Facebook? We’ve created a private, members-only Facebook group just for you! This group is a space to share the same important information we include in our email newsletters—just in a format that’s easy to access if you’re already on Facebook.
If you'd like to join, simply request access using the form below. Once we confirm your membership, we’ll send you an invite to the group.
Save the Date - Every Child Matters - September 30, 2025
The annual Every Child Matters Walk will take place on Tuesday, September 30. This important community event honours the children who did not make it home from Residential Schools and recognizes the survivors among us.
A poster is attached for you to share, display, and help spread the word.
40th Day of July - August 31
Duncan Farmers’ Market Night Markets - September 18
Cowichan Public Art Gallery's Art in the Alley - June 28 - September 13
Artist Social and Jazz Night - September 4 at Station Street Gallery
Cowichan Valley Youth Services AGM - September 16 - DuncanUnited Church
Every Child Matters Walk - September 30
We encourage all members to list their upcoming events on our website at downtownduncan.ca/ddbia-events to help promote your activities and drive more foot traffic to your business. It’s quick, easy, and free to submit!
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