Artists' Opportunities
For Artists Living or Working Primarily in Richmond
Richmond is home to hundreds of artists and artisans as well as about 60 arts organizations whose mandates and activities are as varied as populations they serve. This page is designed to be a resource for these individuals and groups.
During these unprecedented times, we are committed to helping the arts stay vital and relevant to our community. The annual or year round programs that follow are constantly adapting to best serve our arts and culture practitioners.
For more information about these programs contact:
Camyar Chaichian
Program Manager, Community Cultural Development
Email: Camyar.Chaichian@richmond.ca
Phone: 604-247-8326
Richmond Arts Awards - 2021 Call for Nominations
Nomination deadline: Monday, March 15, 5:00pm
The Richmond Arts Awards recognize the artistic achievements and contributions to the arts community by city residents, artists, educators, organizations and business leaders. Each year, awards are presented in the Council Chambers in May in six categories: Business and the Arts, Arts Volunteerism, Cultural Leadership, Artistic Innovation, Arts Education and Youth Arts.
As in 2020, this year's in-person ceremony is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, recipients of the 2021 Richmond Arts Awards will be announced in May with each winner profiled throughout the summer via a range of promotional outlets and social media. Visit Richmond Arts Awards to learn more.
For more information about this program contact:
Camyar Chaichian
Program Manager, Community Cultural Development
Email: camyar.chaichian@richmond.ca
Phone: 604-247-8326
Arts & Culture Grant Program
This program was developed to strengthen the infrastructure of arts and culture organizations, invest in arts opportunities, show support for the careers of local artists and support a wide range of artistic and cultural activity. The two types of grants offered are Project Assistance and Operating Assistance to registered non-profit arts and culture organizations.
Visit the City Grant Program page for more information on the funding criteria and application process. Applications for the 2021 Arts & Culture Grant program is now closed.
For further information regarding the Arts and Culture Grant Program contact:
Camyar Chaichian
Program Manager, Community Cultural Development
Email: camyar.chaichian@richmond.ca
Phone: 604-247-8326
Culture Days
Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. Each year, millions of people across the country attend participatory events and art-filled activities across the country. Join us for a cultural celebration featuring Richmond-based artists, groups and organizations. There is something for everyone! Visit culturedays.ca for details about arts and culture activities, online live-stream events, digital content and self-guided programs.
For more information contact:
Todd Evanger
Arts Programmer
Email: Todd.Evanger@richmond.ca
Phone: 604-247-8320
Branscombe House Artist Residency
This residency takes place in the recently restored Edwardian style house located in the residential area of historic Steveston. The 11-month residency program is an opportunity for artists with a community-engaged practice to create new work in exchange for the 100 per cent subsidized two-bedroom upstairs suite. During the residency, artists establish a presence in the community, spending time developing a body of work and engaging the public in programming that may include workshops, exhibitions, demos and legacy projects on the Branscombe site, community centres, schools and events/festivals. Visit the Branscombe Artist Residency page for details about the current residency.
For further information regarding the Artist-in-Residence program contact:
Todd Evanger
Arts Programmer
Email: Todd.Evanger@richmond.ca
Phone: 604-247-8320
Richmond Artists Directory – Sign up for the E-Blast
Take a few minutes to add your name to our Artists Directory and receive regular updates announcing the latest artist calls for projects and grants, artist focused professional development workshops, promotional opportunities and relevant news from the world of Arts and Culture. The E-Blast also provides a resource in case of opportunities for the City to hire local artists.
Data collected will be used to provide statistics on the number and types of artists in our midst, which will be helpful in future proposals, strategies and planning. The information provided will not be shared, nor used for any non-official City of Richmond business or communication.
Richmond Arts Strategy
What is your vision for a vibrant arts scene in Richmond? What role should the City of Richmond play to achieve this vision?
The City of Richmond launched a new Arts Strategy designed to enrich Richmond's quality of life through broad accessibility and engagement with the arts. The Richmond Arts Strategy 2019-2024 serves as a guide for decision-making to empower ideas, people and resources around a shared vision and set of goals, strategies and tactics. Visit howartworks.ca for information about the Strategy and to find out other ways to get involved in the arts in Richmond.
Art at Work:
Professional Development Workshop Series for Artists
This series of workshops and events is designed to provide artists with the knowledge and skills required for pursuing a professional arts practice in the fields of public art, visual art and community arts.
The workshops and events aim to provide artists with practical, inspiring and career enhancing programming; support the growth and development of the arts and culture sector in Richmond; and encourage networking and sharing within the arts and culture community.
Visit the program page to find out about upcoming Art at Work workshops.
Richmond Art Gallery Artist Salon
The Artist Salon is an opportunity for emerging and established artists to meet other artists, learn from other arts professionals, share or create work and discuss upcoming opportunities in the arts community. Each month a different guest presents inspirational art talks or professional development for visual artists. The Salon is currently happening via Zoom webinar. For more information click here.
Writer-in-Residence Program
The Writer-in-Residence Program is hosted by the Richmond Public Library, Minoru Centre for Active Living and the Richmond Arts Centre and aims to deliver hands-on programming that helps local residents foster a greater appreciation for Canadian writing. This full-time residency position runs from September 30 to November 30 each year. Authors spend 25 per cent of their time on public programs and projects, leaving 75 per cent of the work week available for creative writing. Visit the Writer-in-Residence page for more information on the program and events. Past writers include Andrew Battershill, Nilofar Shidmehr, Karen X. Tulchinsky, Caroline Adderson, Nancy Lee, Mark Leiren-Young and Sally Stubbs.
Community Art Exhibitions
This program is currently suspended
There are several opportunities for local artists to present exhibitions of their work including City Hall’s Galleria, Richmond Cultural Centre’s Rotunda Gallery, Gateway Theatre, City Centre Community Centre and Thompson Community Centre. As re-opening plans are created in the future, information about how to submit work can be found here. In the interim, the Richmond Arts Centre has created an online gallery featuring work from some of the Centre’s community partners.
Public Art: Call to Artists
The City of Richmond Public Art Program invites artists to participate in call to artist opportunities in Richmond. Visit the Call to Artists page to view current listings.