While living in Wellington in the 1960s, Rita Angus painted a number of scenes in Island Bay. Boats, Island Bay is one of her best-loved paintings.
* Empire Cinema, film
The art deco Empire Theatre screened films between 1925 and 1964. It was reopened as the Empire Cinema in 2005, its three screens now showing arthouse and mainstream films daily.
* Koru Gallery & Gifts
Exhibits locally-made jewellery, pottery and prints by Island Bay artist Laura Garland, and New Zealand photographers Gene Glover and Reuben Price.
* Laura Garland, artist
Laura Garland lives in Island Bay, and paints colourful Wellington and New Zealand scenes.
* Michael McCormack, artist
Michael McCormack is an Irish-born painter who works from his studio and gallery in Island Bay, painting vivid streetscapes and coastal scenes around Wellington.
* Music
Rock frontmen Andrew Fagan of the Mockers and Jon Toogood of Shihad grew up in Island Bay. Samuel Flynn Scott, Conrad Wedde and Richie Singleton of New Zealand groupThe Phoenix Foundation also live in the suburb.
* Real Hot Bitches, dancers
Island Bay Surf Club is the proud home to the internationally-renowned 1980s throwback dance troupe "The Real Hot Bitches".
* Red Mole, theatre
Alan Brunton and Sally Rodwell of the Red Mole experimental theatre group, were based in Island Bay from 1988 until Brunton's death in 2002.
* Chris Visser-Fee, comedian, was raised, and continues to live in Island bay, where he regularly performs comedic routines, many known for their slapstick appeal
