Present and Exhibit Your Work
Richmond is home to a large number of visual and performing artists, creative workers and makers. Here are a few places to be seen.
Photo: the power was flowing in her glorious hair by Russna Kaur, No.3 Road Columns, 2018
Community Art Exhibition Space
The City of Richmond provides a number of opportunities for local artists to exhibit their work in public facilities. Application dates and submission processes vary widely between community art exhibition spaces. Visit the following pages for more information:
Located on the second floor of the Richmond Cultural Centre, the Upper Rotunda Gallery is a community-based gallery space that exhibits works from Resident Art Groups, community artist groups, art students and emerging artists.
The Annex Gallery presents the work of Richmond-based artists at the Richmond Cultural Centre Annex.
City Hall Galleria displays artworks by local artists at in the main hall of Richmond City Hall. Exhibitions are curated by the Richmond Art Gallery and rotate every 6 to 8 weeks.
Photo: Upper Rotunda Gallery in the Richmond Cultural Centre.
South Arm Community Centre and Thompson Community Centre have community exhibition spaces that feature work by local artists. Exhibition applications are accepted ongoingly throughout the year, with a wide artist call circulated each summer.
Gateway Theatre also has two dedicated community art spaces in their lobbies. Artists interested in applying, can reach out directly via email for further details.
Photo: Artwork by Jessie Lee at South Arm Community Centre, 2026.
Richmond Public Art Program
The Richmond Public Art Program provides opportunities for local artists to create work to be presented in public spaces around the city.
Public Art maintains two artist rosters which includes a list of pre-screened and -selected artists for the Community Mural Program and Urban Infrastructure Art Program. The rosters are updated every 2 years and artists are added to the list through an application process. Subscribe to the Public Art email list and the Arts and Culture eBlast to learn about these opportunities as they arise.
Public Art often issues artist calls for public art projects and individual commissions. Artist calls vary wildly and include opportunities to display artwork on the No. 3 Road Art Columns (six artists per year), Engaging Artists in Community Program, and commissions to create all manner of artworks and structures for public spaces. Subscribe to the Public Art email list and the Arts and Culture eBlast to receive updates.
New to Public Art?
Download the Public Art Toolkit for advice and keep an eye out for a How to Apply for Public Art workshop through the Art at Work program.
Photo: Bats of Richmond, Aysha McConkey, 2025.
Street Banner Program
The City of Richmond Street Banner program is a civic beautification initiative that strives to engage community members to submit creative and visually appealing designs taken from around Richmond. Banner designs are selected through an annual contest that is open to all members of the community. Entries received in the banner contest celebrate the places, activities and experiences that make Richmond so beautiful and unique.
Photo: Richmond Street Banners with image by artist Glen Andersen.
Participate in Richmond Culture Days
Richmond Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. Each September and October, artists are invited to host artmaking workshops, events and creative activities. Culture Days is a great opportunity for local artists to connect with the community, share their talents and promote their creative practice to a wider audience. The City of Richmond supports artist-led activities through the creation of a robust promotional and marketing campaign.
Photo: Richmond Youth Media Lab’s Pop Up Radio Station.
Artist and Writer Residencies
Richmond provides opportunities for artists and writers to work in residence for extended periods of time.
The Branscombe House Artist Residency is an 11-month live-in artist residency program in a historic home in Steveston. Artists are selected through an annual artist call for this community-engaged program that provides an opportunity for an artist to live rent-free for one year and create free workshops, exhibitions and projects with the community.
Richmond’s annual Writer-in-Residence provides professional writers the opportunity to present writing workshops, programs and events for the local community. The two-month residency is presented in partnership by the City of Richmond and Richmond Public Library.
Richmond Public Art's Engaging Artists in Community Program invites artists or artist teams to create public programs in a variety of locations across the city.
Photo: Artist Atheana Picha leading a printmaking workshop, 2023.
Add your name to the Richmond Artists Directory
Richmond-based artists are invited to their names to the Richmond Artists Directory. This secure and private database helps City of Richmond Arts Services staff contact artists for future events and programs.
Photo: Gilded Cage & Sturgeon Banksii, Utility Box Wrap by Jennifer Heine, 2020
Be in the know
Subscribe to the Arts & Culture eBlast for updates on the Richmond Arts Strategy and Arts and Culture Grant Program.
Look at our Opportunities for Artists page regularly for current opportunities.
Visit our What’s Happening page to explore other ways stay in the loop.
Check out Richmond Arts Coalition, BC Alliance for Arts and Culture and Instant Coffee Vancouver for arts events and artist calls.