Edwards (left), and Scott (right) hope to see The Globe Live Studios survive into the future. (Liam Prendergast / CHLY 101.7FM)

A local all ages venue has laid off all paid staff, and is considering a shift to a non-profit or hybrid model. The Globe Live Studio is a punk and rock venue at 25 Front St, in downtown Nanaimo. The venue is in debt and is now seeking volunteers to fill all roles. Owner Richard Scott said he wants The Globe’s creative vision to stay the same, but no longer wishes to be manager of operations.

“I am fearful about relinquishing control fully. It's not that I wanna have control. Anyone that knows me, … I'm the last one to want control. … I don't wanna be a micromanager. I don't wanna be in charge of anything. But I don't want the vision to change and that's the only thing I'm fearful of," said Scott.

At a Monday community meeting on June 15, Scott, former staff, volunteers, and community members discussed options on how to manage The Globe’s operations into the future such as non-profit and hybrid models.

“I mean, you can structure things different ways, like different charters or whatever. Ultimately there's the two ways of doing it, either not-for-profit or a corporation,” said Richard at the community meeting.

This notion was echoed by others in attendance that there are various ways to move forward with charity shows, non-profit, or hybrid models.

Non-profit organizations are typically incorporated without share capital, meaning they have members rather than shareholders. They do not distribute profits, instead seeing revenues reinvested into the vision, and must operate in accordance with a defined social purpose. This can include running a music venue.

Hybrid organizations occupy a space between traditional non-profits and conventional businesses by pursuing both social impact and revenue generation. They generate profits that would not otherwise be permitted in a typical non-profit organization, while maintaining ties to the objective vision of the non-profit. These models are sometimes referred to as social enterprises.

Similar venues have gone through this process. Rob Leishman is a director of 67 Studio Society, the non profit organization in affiliation with Bully Studios in New Westminster. They faced a similar financial need to The Globe which led them to switch to a nonprofit model in January 2026. They only operate with paid employees at live shows, and like the Globe, host all ages shows.

“You've gotta play a game, right? Getting these grants, you gotta get to know people. So this is where we're setting up for the future because we want all this to be there … for all the kids that need it … Essentially we're gearing towards all ages shows and having somewhere for younger kids to come and express themselves because there's nowhere left for these kids, and that's really the intention that all four of the directors have,” said Leishman in an over the phone interview.

The Globe is currently looking at operating with all previously paid staff positions as volunteers. Finn Edwards, the current volunteer manager has worked at The Globe since fall of 2024. He said they hope to pay off the operational debt with a $500 flat fee with no ticket split for all bands. Under the plan, artists will pay $500 to perform at the venue but will receive all revenue from ticket sales. The idea is to ensure the venue is not taking a loss on shows that are not well attended. Artists will have access to all band equipment and speakers covered by the fee.

The Globe Live Studio located at 25 Front St in downtown Nanaimo (Liam Prendergast / CHLY 101.7FM)

“This is all very new. Like the community meeting, the community meeting happened the other day, and there were people talking about the things that they could bring to the table. So it's gonna take us a little while to like, I guess, interview people before we start bringing people close into the circle, right? But right now it's just, we got the donations on the page, and then the biggest way people can help is just by coming and volunteering their time to see a show and, and, you know, run door, bring a friend to do shifts with them and stuff like that. That's kinda the way we've been asking, uh, people for help,” Edwards told CHLY on what is currently happening with operations.

The Globe has been one of the few venues in Nanaimo for all ages in the punk and metal scene. For many musicians and attendees, it is more than just a venue; it is a central gathering place that brings the local scene together.

Adam Nelson, also known as Nelly from Gorilla Flip, came into the Nanaimo music scene in 2022. CHLY interviewed Nelson about what The Globe means to them and how the new proposed $500 flat fee will impact smaller bands on the island.

“I don't know, when you play a show and you get … the whole community in there and … just looking at it just as a vocalist, you kinda just see that sea of people, see like a crazy mosh pit … man, it's … really special,” he said. “But I could definitely see it's [the proposed fee] … very jarring and … ‘Oh no, if I don't bring enough people, I have to pay out of pocket.’ … The industry's very precarious. … it's a lot of tiptoeing around and a, a lot of the time it's … the local artists that get … the bad end of the stick a lot of the time.”

Currently, Scott is accepting donations but plans not to spend any funds collected until a board of directors is formed. The Globe is in the process of interviewing volunteers for all roles; technicians, kitchen staff, bookkeeping and more.

“But the vision is, to have a, … crew of people … to make a … show awesome and produce a quality product that's … world quality like KEXP. We need … a dedicated videographer, somebody that's, working … the switcher and the pan tilt zoom cameras. We need a videographer with the handheld out there. We need a sound guy for the front of house. We need a sound guy … for the broadcast room, … a lighting tech, and a stagehand. That's … the humans that are needed to make a show awesome at The Globe,” said Scott.

The goal is to transition from a for-profit model into a community funded non-profit or hybrid model. Edwards and Scott hope to see The Globe’s vision continued under future management, whatever form it takes.

“ We're just trying to work back the losses and, and, hopefully by the end of summer … we will have done that. We have a long list of bookings and, we're just … hoping that'll be enough, and then come fall we can be back on our feet again,” said Finn.

For more information and updates on the venue go to theglobelivestudio.com.

Reported with files and story input from Nadia Fontaine.

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